The Wild Wild Web
October 1998

Through a Glass Darkly Making private lives public ...

Before the Web, exhibitionists were seen as a small segment of society -- deviants who didn't belong amongst the general populace. Well, it didn't take long for technology to bridge the gap. Now, thousands of people can hook up Web cams to Web sites and offer their lives for public viewing. Win a CD from one of the most popular Web cam stars, Ana Voog.

Why have thousands of people around the world become electronic exhibitionists? Are they neurotic, insecure, or just plain nuts? Probably. Two recent online events brought Web cams to the attention of international audiences. On June 16, the online broadcast of the birth of "Baby Sean" was seen by almost 800,000 viewers. America's Health Network, which hosted the site and carries a video archive of the event, got so many hits during the event that most people who saw anything only saw a few seconds before network traffic cut them off. The press coverage was massive, and the world became aware of the Web's voyeuristic/exhibitionist capabilities. The other event that got a lot of press was the supposed "live deflowering" of a young virginal couple. It was exposed as a hoax put on by a pornography site, but it drew even more attention to the Internet voyeurism we call Web cams.

Pretty soon now, The Truman Show will be a reality. Life imitates art imitates life imitates... The most famous cam in cyberspace is JenniCAM. Featured on news shows, talk shows, computer shows, and (sigh) our show, this pay-per-view peekaboo brings interested parties into the home of 20 year old "Jennifer." Thousands of people shell out perfectly good money to see Jennifer sit, sleep, and -- yes -- take off her shoes and socks. The show doesn't end there; browse her site and see what's on her computer, what's on her mind, and what's in her diary. Don't have a life? For a few measly bucks a month, you can live Jennifer's life! JenniCAM has made a celebrity of Jennifer; she is one of a select few who have gained fame solely from online endeavors. Some say that she is a model for those who fight for free speech on the Internet. Some say that she is a hero. I say that the end of the world is nigh.

Digging deeper -- much deeper -- into the human psyche, we find our way to ana cam, the Web site of the multitalented Ana Voog. For Ana, the camera becomes another way to promote herself. In addition to the Web cam updates, Ana's site features her music, her writings, and her art, almost all of which consists of images of Ana, artistically modified for your viewing pleasure. Are you interested in furthering the Ana Voog experience? Enter our Web cam contest for a shot at winning Ana's CD, ANAVOOG.COM.

Female Web cams get the most hits. A pretty face (and other parts of the anatomy) will always draw a crowd. The segment of the population that likes to look at geeky guys is either very small or very secretive. One amont many men on camera is Chris, whose ChrisCam site gives viewers a peek into his bedroom, his study, and his office. That's one more camera than John, and thrice the fun of your usual site! Chris is quick to point out that ChrisCam is not a porn site and that he is a heterosexual with a steady girlfriend. I call that bad marketing. C'mon, Chris, give the people what they want! It's weird enough that some people feel the need to put their own private lives online for all the world to gawk at, so why must poor defenseless animals also be involved? Take a look at my selection of animal Web cams and tell me if you think that this qualifies as animal cruelty. Live Deformed Frog Cam USC Madagascar Hissing Cockroach Cam Amazing CowCam The National Zoo's Elephant Cam Naked Mole-Rat Colony Cam Red Lobster's LobsterCam Orangutan Cam Panda Cam Sea Monkey Cam Three Dog Cam Streaming AnemoneCam I jest. I mock. I insult. The awful truth is that I'm doing it, too! The Official Wild Wild WebCam is sitting atop my monitor, staring me down with its cyclopean gaze, taunting me with its far-off promise of fame and recognition. Are you similarly tempted? Join me in my hell of self-loathing and make your own Web cam.

--Al Natanagara