Lifecasters and Voyeurs ‘I don’t have a life, can I borrow yours?’

March 4th, 2008 · No Comments

It was just a matter of time before the masses discovered the novelty and perks of streaming web cams in real time. But as they say, ‘just because we can, doesn’t mean we should’. Don’t get me wrong, I am all for reality IP but typing at one’s desk, The Truman Show is not.

I am referring to watching someone chat-rooming at their desk, boring or what? And how long before the incessant fan-boys yell, ‘open tits’? Hopefully the TOS of the live streaming sites will discourage inappropriate rantings and exposures, but can we monitor every live cam? Luckily for those enmeshed in the mating game, sites abound to allows wankers, voyeurs and ecdysiasts their 15 minutes of fame. We can best hope everyone is tuned into the proper live cam channel when the hormones start to flow.

What I really want from my reality IP is a bird’s eye view from a player’s cam in the MLB or NBA. Maybe a helmet cam in the NFL. I wanna see what other couples do to peacefully overcome an argument or how they nurture a suffering child. I want to be able to hire someone to show me what a winter storm in Maine is like, because I hate the cold. Maybe a live birth here and there.

Yes, Reality IP includes everything life and death. I want to witness the Carnival in Rio, Mardi Gras and U2 in concert. And of course, without putting anyone in harms way, I want everyone to see what war is really like. Reality IP won’t come without the celebrated newborn, an occasional funeral and unfortunate online suicides like the one of Brandon Vedas.

When we live a cyber-world that sometimes appears to disconnect us, maybe live streaming can reconnect us. If nothing else, a typical rallying cry for those who watch lifecasters like myself might be, ‘I don’t have a life, can I borrow yours?’ I hope the ’see and be seen’ phenomenon of live streaming web cams will morph into something constructive.

Questions, comments or quibbles? Please give feedback!