Viewer Discretion is Advised
YouTube has offered us a way to post and view things that we otherwise may not see. An example of this is the ‘Unassisted Birth’ video which we watched in class last week. The unassisted birth movement is just one example of a private practice that has been made public. This made me wonder about what other sort of private practices or rituals are now being posted publicly on sites such as YouTube. While doing research, I found information on people commiting suicide on live video streams (i.e. The case of Abraham K. Biggs who committed suicide on the video site justin.tv), videos of suicide bombers and much more. Frankly, I had no interest in watching any of these videos simply because I don’t think that death is something that should be freely viewed by the public. However, video sites are making them readily available due to the lack of censorship which exists. What traditionally was reserved for few to no eyes can now be seen by anyone who can get past the ‘Warning: Adult Content’ screening process, which let’s face it, is not that tough.
The video that I posted below is that of a human autopsy. So be aware, it is graphic and I highly suggest not watching it. It is simply there to prove a point. Online video sites have given rise to a new form of reality TV, true reality. Life and death. Something that few can actually bare to watch is now in the public eye for all to see. This idea scares me because it brings rise to the possibility that people will get accustomed to viewing of death, suicide and so on.
Online videos, succeeding yet again to bring the private to the public, in the most disturbing way possible..
Whow. I don’t think I’ll show that in class …