What’s the incentive to spin the wheel?
February 25, 2010 | Written by Megan Levi
The object of participation is to have a face-to-face interaction with a totally random stranger from somewhere around the world via webcam. Strangers can chat by typing into a large, IM style box which displays the usernames “you” and “stranger.” The “next” button offers a safe-haven of constant forward momentum. Either user can click on to the next random stranger at any time; simultaneously giving everyone involved the freedom to act however they want and the power to never become irritated or bored. (Yes, you will be nexted. Yes, it hurts sometimes.) Chatroulette has no login, thus you are not held hostage to any sort of accountability for your actions. No accountability + the thought of being “nexted”= internet pandemonium. People are compelled to be as entertaining as possible, which includes dancing, costumes, stupid human tricks, offering mystic readings, engaging in a game, or just being naked.
We spend so much time organizing the internet, keeping all of our social platforms neat and tidy with the right information, the right people, and the ability to view and take part of almost every interaction. Participating in Chatroulette means surrendering any hope of precision. On the one hand, Chatroulette is like a slightly addictive and sometimes unnerving sociological jungle; on the other hand, each interaction is like having a major part in a surreptitious happening. The experience as of now is often peppered with unwarned close-ups of the male anatomy, which begs the question: Will Chatroulette ever become organized, or would organization kill the attraction?
I think as long as there is no login, a.k.a. no accountability, Chatroulette can become structured into categories without losing its allure or integrity. Even if only two categories were created: “Nudity” and “Not Nudity,” user-ship would broaden as those too timid to risk glimpsing hairy-man-horrors would have no fear. However, think of the possibility of entering a Chatroulette channel based on things you like. Categories could be broad: Biology, Literature, Photography, Australia; specific: Canadian Haiku Lovers, LGBT Hockey Players, People Interested in Aldous Huxley, or anywhere in between. Interaction time and actual conversation would certainly increase, as the current average interaction lasts about 3 seconds, but is the incentive for Chatroulette real conversation, or is it that you have no idea what you are going to get?
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Tags: chatroulette, social media, videochat
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