Live Video Gets More Social

(By Somewhat Frank)

Social media is shaping and changing early adaptor’s lives; at least mine, for that matter. Watching the evolution of life casting has changed the way that I see humanity’s future interactions with social media. Emotional needs are being met as new technologies come into play. Mobile technologies increase our diversification and social events shape our individuality to society in the past and today so that the world may know. Our culture has changed in the past due to new technologies and is bound to be impacted in the future with increased mobility, events and celebrations, emotional needs being met, and increased diversification.

If content continues to diversify then roles will most likely play out in an international community where geographic location and differentiation is of no barrier to community development and emotional needs are met through screen based activity. The Internet is an institution, where relationships are accepted as a fundamental part of culture, that will change quickly to enable international community and a culture boom. The tools are going to tell if we will boom or bust and Liz Gannes from New Tee Vee comments on some interesting web tools that may make media more social.

The space where we share our lolz, LOL, rotfl, icons, and emotions is in the text box tool where half the fun is in the watching experience. An interesting issue was raised earlier this evening when I noticed emotions being expressed and needs being fulfilled through the interaction in the chat on Justin.TV/Dealer where one of the chatters was also a Justin.tv life caster. Cally, who is often in my chat, brought up an interesting topic for discussion. Is there is a difference in importance or value between the life caster and the commenter? This question has brought on much thought. What is the value of the commenter and the life caster? I must look at the other life casters I know to be able to answer that question.

Some, like me, were able to meet Justin for the first time in person and others met him over a chat or email. Others met him through staring at their laptops for hours on end or even more. Justin.tv/Justopia_live is a fine example of someone who emerged as a voice on Justin.tv. She started off as commenter and blogger providing information anout the site and building a community within Justin.tv. She also records pod casts and posts them on her blog that is right here on WordPress. There was also a Justin.tv intern that found Justin on the chat and volunteered his summer to an internship. He started life casting on Justin.tv for a brief moment in Shooby.

(By Scott Beal at the Laughing Squid)

Some people are turned on to life casting, but who can do it forever? I had a lunch with Justine Ezarik this week on a day she had not brought her camera, but had been on camera at FOX with Justin earlier that day. She says that she won’t be able to do this forever. It’s a great opportunity to be trying something new for the first time, but it does not always last long. There are several formats to life casting and only a few work for all.

(By Scott Beal at the Laughing Squid)

Justin Kan told me that he never wanted to be a celebrity and never thought that he would end up wearing a live web cam, but he has been going strong non-stop since he started. Justin often gets random people and fans asking him why he does it. He says it like having a bunch of friends around you all the time. “Why be alone by your self when you can be with a bunch of friends?”

There is one life caster who was one of the first life casters from back in the days of Jenni Cam. Her name is Lisa B. She is truly one of the first live video streamers. She has many cameras both in New York and Japan where she goes 24/7 with her life. She is the most natural life caster I have seen.

Emotional needs are being met because of new social web tools. Life casters or commenter’s share their experiences and are building communities and culture. It’s laughing with someone that makes the whole experience that much better.