Comments on: The Thermodynamic Theory of ChatRoulette http://matadorlife.com/the-thermodynamic-theory-of-chatroulette/ Thrive Between Trips Thu, 09 Sep 2010 13:28:58 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Leigh Shulman http://matadorlife.com/the-thermodynamic-theory-of-chatroulette/comment-page-1/#comment-4302 Leigh Shulman Tue, 02 Mar 2010 00:09:36 +0000 http://matadorlife.com/?p=4052#comment-4302 You make some good points, Josh. And while it might be possible to put some parental controls on this thing, there's no accounting for the sick things people might do. It's surprising to me that video hasn't caught on as a medium more than it already has. We tend to use e-mail more than most things. Skype, I think, is the exception. Perhaps because people are afraid of the camera? Perhaps because the internet gives us at least a veil of anonymity that you will no longer have when there's a camera in your room. Perhaps because companies who can finance wide spread video usage aren't ready for the legal implications involved in supporting such an endeavor. But yes, as you say, time will tell. You make some good points, Josh. And while it might be possible to put some parental controls on this thing, there’s no accounting for the sick things people might do.

It’s surprising to me that video hasn’t caught on as a medium more than it already has. We tend to use e-mail more than most things. Skype, I think, is the exception.

Perhaps because people are afraid of the camera? Perhaps because the internet gives us at least a veil of anonymity that you will no longer have when there’s a camera in your room. Perhaps because companies who can finance wide spread video usage aren’t ready for the legal implications involved in supporting such an endeavor.

But yes, as you say, time will tell.

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]]> By: Josh http://matadorlife.com/the-thermodynamic-theory-of-chatroulette/comment-page-1/#comment-4300 Josh Mon, 01 Mar 2010 21:56:15 +0000 http://matadorlife.com/?p=4052#comment-4300 I find the whole concept very interesting and will be interesting to see where it goes. Is it just a fade waiting to die or will it be the next stumbleupon? I think having the ability to filter out some of the obscene would be nice but would that take away from the experience. I could only imagine how someone could scar some poor person with a mock suicide only to never have any closure on whether or not it was fake or real. Something truly disturbing to think about yet in its current form more than possible to do. Would hate for an unwitting kid to encounter something that potentially disturbing let alone an adult. I find the whole concept very interesting and will be interesting to see where it goes. Is it just a fade waiting to die or will it be the next stumbleupon? I think having the ability to filter out some of the obscene would be nice but would that take away from the experience.

I could only imagine how someone could scar some poor person with a mock suicide only to never have any closure on whether or not it was fake or real. Something truly disturbing to think about yet in its current form more than possible to do. Would hate for an unwitting kid to encounter something that potentially disturbing let alone an adult.

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]]> By: Leigh Shulman http://matadorlife.com/the-thermodynamic-theory-of-chatroulette/comment-page-1/#comment-4275 Leigh Shulman Fri, 26 Feb 2010 19:05:21 +0000 http://matadorlife.com/?p=4052#comment-4275 Thanks, Michelle. Myself, I can't stop chuckling at the thirysomething non-masturbators. While I suppose I fit into that category, I've never quite defined myself as such. Thanks, Michelle.

Myself, I can’t stop chuckling at the thirysomething non-masturbators. While I suppose I fit into that category, I’ve never quite defined myself as such.

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]]> By: Leigh Shulman http://matadorlife.com/the-thermodynamic-theory-of-chatroulette/comment-page-1/#comment-4274 Leigh Shulman Fri, 26 Feb 2010 18:56:53 +0000 http://matadorlife.com/?p=4052#comment-4274 The issue of parental control and particularly accountability is huge. It seems obvious to say that you can't hold the makers of ChatRoulette responsible for what people do with it, but I'd think the same about YouTube. Yet, those Google execs were actually convicted for something someone else posted. It's amazing. Can they really be expected to review every single video before it goes live on the internet? That would be insane time-wise, not to mention how it would slow down our (meaning bloggers, writers, journalists) ability to post and report as things happen. It will be interesting to see what happens. I'm sure even if ChatRoulette itself doesn't stay around long, certainly some sort of live chat will become as popular as Twitter, YouTube and the like. The issue of parental control and particularly accountability is huge. It seems obvious to say that you can’t hold the makers of ChatRoulette responsible for what people do with it, but I’d think the same about YouTube.

Yet, those Google execs were actually convicted for something someone else posted. It’s amazing. Can they really be expected to review every single video before it goes live on the internet? That would be insane time-wise, not to mention how it would slow down our (meaning bloggers, writers, journalists) ability to post and report as things happen.

It will be interesting to see what happens. I’m sure even if ChatRoulette itself doesn’t stay around long, certainly some sort of live chat will become as popular as Twitter, YouTube and the like.

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]]> By: Leigh Shulman http://matadorlife.com/the-thermodynamic-theory-of-chatroulette/comment-page-1/#comment-4273 Leigh Shulman Fri, 26 Feb 2010 18:50:02 +0000 http://matadorlife.com/?p=4052#comment-4273 It is a fantastic book. Do you know the part I'm talking about? Imagine a chat where you connect with a particular person or even different people all the time. Their job is to read to you, answer questions, play games that are preset to teach lessons. Man, there could even be a whole curriculum on it. Are you generally a Stephenson fan? I loved Snowcrash too, but Diamond Age, I think, even better. It is a fantastic book. Do you know the part I’m talking about? Imagine a chat where you connect with a particular person or even different people all the time. Their job is to read to you, answer questions, play games that are preset to teach lessons.

Man, there could even be a whole curriculum on it.

Are you generally a Stephenson fan? I loved Snowcrash too, but Diamond Age, I think, even better.

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]]> By: Michelle http://matadorlife.com/the-thermodynamic-theory-of-chatroulette/comment-page-1/#comment-4272 Michelle Fri, 26 Feb 2010 18:47:01 +0000 http://matadorlife.com/?p=4052#comment-4272 "One afternoon I might choose to be thrown randomly into a pool of English-speaking thirtysomething non-masturbators who like to read poetry." Amen. That's a chatroulette I might get on board with! Awesome article, Leigh. “One afternoon I might choose to be thrown randomly into a pool of English-speaking thirtysomething non-masturbators who like to read poetry.”

Amen. That’s a chatroulette I might get on board with!

Awesome article, Leigh.

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]]> By: Heather Carreiro http://matadorlife.com/the-thermodynamic-theory-of-chatroulette/comment-page-1/#comment-4269 Heather Carreiro Fri, 26 Feb 2010 12:46:46 +0000 http://matadorlife.com/?p=4052#comment-4269 You've raised some good points here Leigh. Can anyone be held accountable for what happens on ChatRoulette? When I was in middle school, my friends and I thought it was so cool to go on AOL and chat with strangers. If we found someone wanting to 'cyber' we'd collapse into a fit of giggles, type something like "I'm taking off my left shoe" and hastily sign out. I'm glad it stopped there, but I can imagine that kids today are checking out ChatRoulette and experiencing things that could be much more damaging. You’ve raised some good points here Leigh. Can anyone be held accountable for what happens on ChatRoulette? When I was in middle school, my friends and I thought it was so cool to go on AOL and chat with strangers. If we found someone wanting to ‘cyber’ we’d collapse into a fit of giggles, type something like “I’m taking off my left shoe” and hastily sign out. I’m glad it stopped there, but I can imagine that kids today are checking out ChatRoulette and experiencing things that could be much more damaging.

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]]> By: neha http://matadorlife.com/the-thermodynamic-theory-of-chatroulette/comment-page-1/#comment-4268 neha Fri, 26 Feb 2010 11:57:20 +0000 http://matadorlife.com/?p=4052#comment-4268 I'll be honest, I don't get it (which is good for them, I guess). From your piece I gather all that it could be, and if it were, I'd might be into it. But as of now it's just too creepy (for me). That aside, enjoyed reading this, and yeah The Diamond Age get my vote too! I’ll be honest, I don’t get it (which is good for them, I guess). From your piece I gather all that it could be, and if it were, I’d might be into it. But as of now it’s just too creepy (for me). That aside, enjoyed reading this, and yeah The Diamond Age get my vote too!

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]]> By: Abbie http://matadorlife.com/the-thermodynamic-theory-of-chatroulette/comment-page-1/#comment-4267 Abbie Fri, 26 Feb 2010 01:29:50 +0000 http://matadorlife.com/?p=4052#comment-4267 I find it a bit silly, but interesting nonetheless. As far as talking with Matador peeps, I'd rather use skype :) I find it a bit silly, but interesting nonetheless. As far as talking with Matador peeps, I’d rather use skype :)

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]]> By: Leigh Shulman http://matadorlife.com/the-thermodynamic-theory-of-chatroulette/comment-page-1/#comment-4263 Leigh Shulman Thu, 25 Feb 2010 18:11:39 +0000 http://matadorlife.com/?p=4052#comment-4263 Unexpected and brilliant? Benny, I'll take it! I look forward to a bright future of keeping your ASCII hands busy. Glad you enjoyed the article. I had fun writing it, too. Unexpected and brilliant? Benny, I’ll take it!

I look forward to a bright future of keeping your ASCII hands busy. Glad you enjoyed the article. I had fun writing it, too.

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