I had discovered webcams during my time as a student at college, notably JenniCam. But I never really had much interest in them, it wasn't until I discovered Sean Patrick Live (a site that is unfortunately no longer with us) that I became interested in the concept. Here was a young guy with two cams in his apartment broadcasting everything that went on there - in essence his life. Watching someone as they go about there life is fascinating, that is why real-life docusoaps and "reality" TV is so popular; shows like The Real World, Big Brother, The Cruise, Paddington Green, Castaway, Shipwrecked, Survivor etc.
The problem with the TV show format is that people are forced into unusual situations so their behaviour will change accordingly. For example, shows like The Real World, Big Brother and Survivor put people into a situation where they do not know anyone initially, in unfamiliar surroundings. This forces them to become very conscious of how they interact and behave, as any person is when they meet new friends. The knowledge that everything they do is being recorded and possibly judged may cause either conscious or sub-conscious character changes.
Even for "docusoap" style shows where a camera follows an individual or group of individuals around will not feature the "stars" as themselves. They too will experience character changes, but they may be significantly subtler and not obvious to the casual viewer. Here the subjects are usually in familiar surroundings continuing with their lives. However having a camera following your every move forces you to think about what you say or do. Over time you learn to ignore the cameras, in essence they become invisible and you may revert to your natural personality.
The problems with TV shows lie in one word - editing. How your character, presence and personality comes across to viewers and their perception all depend on how the director / producer / editor wish to portray you. For example an individual may be very quiet and withdrawn, but occasionally they may have heated arguments. Depending on how this is balanced on the show they could come across as very aggressive and confrontational to the audience.
While the format of show is incredibly popular and fascinating it isn't a true depiction of an individuals life. This is something that was not possible to do until the past few years. With webcams, the technology and access to the Internet made this both cost-effective and appealing to thousands of individuals and households across the globe.
Webcams allow people to accurately share, record and document their lives without interference, editing or limitation.
I have read in several newsgroup postings and on several web sites that all webcam operators are exhibitionists. I disagree, according to dictionary.com an exhibitionist is defined as:
ex'hi·bi'tion·istExhibitionists are not just people who show off their bodies, naked or otherwise, nor do they necessarily actively draw attention to themselves, they are not just people who need to be noticed and be the centre of attention. Everyone is an exhibitionist; by choosing which outfit to put on for a night out, by choosing how to have your hair, by putting on makeup. These are all means by which we bring attention to ourselves.
compulsively attracting attention to yourself especially by boasting or exaggerated behaviour n 1: someone with a compulsive desire to expose the genitals 2: someone who deliberately behaves in such a way as to attract attention
My webcam is not set-up or used to draw people to my website, it is only a small part of it. I am designing and building my site to reflect my life, to be an on-line representation of who I am, what I like and what I do. When I go out I can be a great exhibitionist, I will often be the 1st on the dance floor by myself in bars / clubs. I will happily get on stage to perform the dance to Agadoo, YMCA, Saturday Night or The Macaraena and I am out on the scene I am generally a lot camper.
This isn't how my life is portrayed on my webcam: sitting at my PC, watching TV, reading the paper, living doing dull usual everyday stuff. By having the webcam I am actively drawing attention to my life, parts and times of my life that are traditionally considered private, but instead I have chosen to invite the world in to my world. A world a few years ago I decided I wanted to share.
I have been maintaining my own website since 1996/7, the exact date it launched has long been forgotten. During my time at college I became a devoted user and advocate of the Internet and how the technology could be used. In the later half of 1998 I become fascinated with the concept of on-line journals and webcams and sharing your life with the public. On 28th December 1998 I started my own on-line journal - Mutterings & Ramblings. When I began I wasn't sure what to write about, how to write it or indeed how long I would maintain it - days, weeks, months?
As I began to share my life through my journal I became more interested in the growing phenomenon of webcams. I was particularly interested in one site (Sean Patrick Live), the concept, design and cams caught my imagination, and it was fascinating watching someone's sleeping patterns, watching TV - just living.
As my journal grew over the first few months I started to think more about webcams and the possibility of having my own. Circumstances made the decision for me, for a reason that I forget we purchased a small Logitech QuickCam for some research in the office. Once that was complete the camera remained unused, instead of leaving it to waste I decided to use it and on 29th April 2001 I started my own webcam.
The webcam has seen several locations over the past two years:
"I had been sharing my life through my Web Journal, now I felt an urge to take it one step further with a Webcam. To a certain extent I can't explain why I have one, just that I feel compelled to have. After all why do people climb mountains? Because their there!"After two years of living my life on-line, broadcasting it to the universe, my motivation is still the same. I have been looking around the internet at some of the other Cam sites around and haven't really found a definitive answer as to why people have webcams. There isn't a "I have a webcam following me around becase ...". For me I like them, there are a nice feature of web pages.
Fozzy, 1999
The webcam community is always growing, especially for gay guy cams. It is a great and active community to be a part of. Whether your cam is on a few hours a week or 24x7 all are welcome and support is offered - both technical and emotional. There is a core of very pro-active camguys spread around the world, by the core I refer to the more popular and well known sites. These often act as inspiration for more people to join our community or just a portal into it and other sites.
What does the future hold for Fozzy, mdoLive and my cams? Short term some new designs uploaded, medium term I finally hope to get an ADSL connection that will allow me to have the cams working for much more extended periods. Beyound that, who knows, the site has always been organic and a natural progression in its development. That will continue, hopefully for another two years.
I have a website, a journal and a camera, so come with me as we find out what the universe has planned for the future.
And remember - the future's bright. The future's pink.