Camgirls

Camgirls opened my eyes to an entirely new culture, one that is completely foreign to me. Even the terminology was foreign to me, i.e. - camgirl, homunculus, cyborg, ethnographic etc. Terry Senft's book explained a new world, one of which I could never see myself involved with - but nonetheless one that I found interesting to read about. I don't understand what would draw people to view other people's everyday life via the computer. - I think the whole culture is more a lesson in psychology and narcissism. I am intrigue with the reasons for being an observer, however I am more interested in what makes these woman want to become camgirls; the celebrity? narcissism? insecurity? It is all rather fascinating. As Jennifer Ringley suggested - the webcam was meant to serve as part of a social experiment. On her Web site, Ringley told her viewers that her cam was "to put it most simply, a sort of window into a virtual human zoo" (pg 42) - I still wonder why anyone would want to be a "virtual human zoo"

I was intrigued by Vera Little - as an amputee she could be an inspiration to many while getting the attention she so craved, yet, sitting in clown makeup and dressing up her "stumps" seems tasteless and nonsensical.

Another Camgirl that intrigued me was Karen. Karen reminded me of Diane Arbus, the photogragher who was rumored to have committed suicide while video taping herself in the bathroom. Karen was the Camgirl in Crisis (pg 67) Only 2 calls were placed to 911 –

"...1 girl

Attempted suicide

Alone

While the world watched.

Guilty bystanders, focus on the good you can do."

What does this say about the web and our culture?

After reading the book - I googled "camgirls" the first 1o sites that pulled up in my search where porn sites. I googled Vera Little - same thing - porn.

Is this where the culture of camgirls have gone?