I hadn't heard about it until today when I read an article on Apophenia. I love this website for it's non judgmental take on all things web 2.0. I have learned a lot from Zephoria and today I learned about this game designed by a 17 year old who learned to write code when he was 11! Basically you log in and are anonomously connected via your web cam to another person, you hit next and there is someone else staring back at you. Most people who use it are young. Sarita Yardi described ChatRoulette as "an online Lord of the Flies." Read more about it here. Super interesting article sharing varied predictions and issues.
As Always (FYI because I didn't know),
Tina
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Sounds scary.
ReplyDeleteYes it does. And yet I can imagine it having a future.
ReplyDeleteIf Twitter made it, then anything can. I have no webcam, so I'm safe.
ReplyDeleteLike speed-dating, but without the dating? Skyping with people I know is weird enough...
ReplyDeleteJ and H- I find it so interesting because of the ways it can be used and misused. It seems like the looking into other houses would in some ways be like those books where people from other cultures are photographed with all their belongings outside where they live.Like Twitter people have used it for performance art purposes. But then it also has this quality that pushes against closely held values and norms. Folks are going to use it both ways and I'm mostly just curious of what it will warp into.
ReplyDeleteJust to make my comment completely clear, I'm interested in how it will change and become useful over time because most likely it will but it will be different than it is now and probably less scary. And communities will grow around the way people use it.
ReplyDeleteI think it sounds cool and scary. I get why it would become popular, just random "Hey" to other people sounds fun. But I also see how it could be used improperly (which is why if I had a teen, I wouldn't let them do it ). Though I would be curious to see it work a few times just to see.
ReplyDeleteKelly-I totally agree with you.
ReplyDeleteVery intense stuff. Fascinating really, to think of people clicking thru real people, like a catalog and a video game combined.
ReplyDeleteIn a strange way it reminds me of an activity I did at a retreat years ago, called Milling, where you walk around a room and when the leader signals, you stop and come face to face with whoever, and the leader takes you thru a brief scenario, "imagine this person standing in front of you is the dying of cancer..." lots of different scenarios, all designed to tap into your compassion for others and for the Earth.
This particular retreat was a deep ecology/buddhist retreat but as I read the article you linked to, I immediately thought, okay, here's a way to do this retreat activity, which was very intense, and personal and emotional, with people who don't have to be physically present. I wonder how that would feel? I could see retreat leaders experimenting with this technology.
Thanks, Tina.
I see a problem, unless there is a choose language option. The Asian countries are so far ahead of us, that there's like a 9 in 10 chance your webcam partner (is there a name for that?) will be from India or Japan. Also, I so don't get the point...I don't care what John Jones is doing in Philly...unless...is he hot.
ReplyDeleteThis could make a good murder plot.
Paul - That sounds absolutely brilliant!
ReplyDeletePaul- That is exactly how imagine people doing this. From the articles description I guess. Just staring at each other across the wires. I totally agree that it would feel intense. And retreat leaders educators could experiment with that and it sounds like young people already are. It could also be a great writing exercise. go view a few folks and write from there? Make up their stories? Something.
ReplyDeleteJonathon- You are right, but I think there is not necessarily talking. I think the change happens quickly and if you don't do it the other person does. As far as fiction goes, I think murder mystery, futuristic dystopian society, you name it, let's write it!
WAIT, so it's only for a few seconds?!?! How f*ing pointless...
ReplyDeleteI'm hoping to checkit out later this week...hard to keep up with this stuff.
ReplyDeleteI already have strangers living in my house. I have to watch if I am dressed and what I say.
ReplyDelete...that's creepy in so many ways.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds voyeuristic and a little frightening, but people have been chatting with their webcam switched on for years, only difference is you can scroll to the next person when you get bored. You can basically reject someone based on how they look and not feel bad about it. I think I prefer people-watching outside of my bedroom :)
ReplyDeleteIs anyone going to try it and let us know?
ReplyDeleteCharlie, I envy your ability to look out your window and people-watch...
J- The sport is not about relating, I think. Or relating with out interacting?
ReplyDeleteAnita- I know. This wasn't on my radar at all.
OG- Me too. Although right now it's my sister that's living here. That provides some relief from the watching what I say. Actually I'm way more inappropriate with her around.
Elliot- I'm with you. Thanks for stopping by!
Charlie- Absolutely voyeuristic. I totally agree with the rejection part of it. Although I wonder how it changes the rejection as you get used to folks scrolling away from your face. And then can the performance art play with that? I would love to make a statement about that.
Jonathon- I love that you host here!!! I'm totally scared of it. I will have to work myself up until I can. Or try it with a couple of girlfriends over and glasses of wine under our belts, giggling? That is how it sounds like most young people do it. Then perhaps the clicking away will be easier to do or to take.
ReplyDeleteCharlie- Can I ask? How do you get to people watch?
My friends like to go to the mall to "peoplewatch", basically you sit on a bench or in a café and watch people walk by, make comments about their clothes, appearance, etc. I think it's rude, but it's just something people my age like to do when they're bored. Outside my bedroom window there's nothing but snow and a couple cars ;)
ReplyDeleteI'm a little freaked out by this whole concept. But think the movie would be thrilling.
ReplyDeleteCharlie- Ha!
ReplyDeleteRobert- Yes, that would be the way to experience it! Part of me wants to write that movie, but I was also the girl that wanted to learn how to change the oil or live out in the bush by myself, and I never did those things. And I'm okay with that.
My initial response is : cool, what fun!
ReplyDeleteMy immediate follow up/mommy response is: ew. what if those people are doing gross or inappropriate things?
see? that's the mama bear worrier in me.
Tess- Worry away! I think there are some strange things a-coming. Okay, I say that but I do think ChatRoulette will shake up into something else. Whatever that thing is, who can say? And who knows what my kids will be doing with it? Right now the computer is in my living room is all I can say!
ReplyDeleteI can't say it is something I would, but I could teens or certain adults I know finding it fun. I think it would take the right personality.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure you're right, Laura. It sounds a little hit or miss as far as enjoyment goes.
ReplyDeleteMy husband was telling me about this recently. It sounds like my worst nightmare! I hate talking to people I don't know - it makes me SO nervous. But I guess there must be some appeal I don't understand. Ah, kids these days...
ReplyDeleteT, were you planning this to be so provocative?
ReplyDeleteAnna- I'm with you. It's funny, I'm generally pretty good with people, but this would push all of my buttons. But I think there is appeal. I suppose there was a time in my own life that I went out of my way to push buttons...
ReplyDeleteJ- As if I could plan to be provocative!!!
You totally have it in you.
ReplyDeleteI am excited to learn you are reading SHIVER. I hope you see this, I feel rude talking to other people's guests...like I totally do on yours. So, sorry. If you have to keep the book passed the due date I'll donate to your library, just so you can finish it.
ReplyDeleteJ- Please do not apologize. Please feel-free to co-host. You make it all possible. And I mean that from the bottom of my heart.
ReplyDeleteDon't worry, I'm totally going to finish Shiver. Library fines and all. But thanks for the donation offer. Maybe you could offer foot rubs to all the poor folk who are waiting for me to finish and have nothing else to read? Or probably you could give them recommendations.
I can totally do recommendations...foot rubs? never!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like the kind of social networking thing that I'll decide to try two weeks after it's no longer cool.
ReplyDeleteHow you been, Ms. Tina?
Tina, I gave you an award in honor of our poor societal decisions.
ReplyDeleteRay- Glad to see you around these parts. I'm totally going to wait until everybody tries this before I jump on! We can wait until it's uncool together!
ReplyDeleteJ- I'm intrigued. I have so many poor societal choices I can't imagine which one you awarded. Heading over.