CBS EyeMobile: Amateur’s Delight Or Big Brother?
Now available as an iPhone application
Nicknamed “Citizen Journalism,” CBS is now offering wanna-be, news gurus a mobile application via iTunes where anyone and everyone can report the news. CBS is encouraging laypeople to shoot and record footage, which can be uploaded to their site. In addition to merely trying one’s hand at reporting, one can also view the videos submitted by other subscribers, and sort footage according to “What’s Hot,” “Most Viewed,” “Most Popular,” or create a library of self submissions.
I have so many conflicting emotions about the growing popularity of iReporters. First of all, there have never before been so many eye witnesses (with gadgetry) to history. As a result, even the most unplanned, monumental moments are destined to have a camera on them. Period.
From the standpoint of an educator, this sounds remarkable. It opens up new avenues of wrangling in teachable moments; gone is the day of scrambling for a VHS tape to capture something that would fit perfectly with the next, planned lesson. Simply put, I already operate under the notion of if I’ve heard about it, I can find it.
Then, there is the personal viewpoint… What about the portion of the population that likes to travel to places and sometimes not be found, or those of us who, at least on occasion, prefer to leave their cell phones at home? Although I am quite found of technology and all the bells and whistles that go with it, I hate the idea of constant documentary. It could easily become an invasion of one’s privacy (I’m sure in many cases it already has), and perpetuate chronic, unauthentic behavior.
For now, I suppose I’ll resign myself to a double standard. Yes, I want to peruse CBSEyeMobile, and see what’s going on in the world. And no, I do not want to discover I’ve been chronicled by the so-tiny-it’s-nearly-undetectable Flip Video recorder. Everyone can sing in the shower… and I won’t conclude by saying that everyone shouldn’t. However, I will argue that the majority aren’t seeking American Idol stardom by doing so. So, for heaven’s sake, let us lather, rinse and repeat in peace. I will also anticipate teaching more lessons on moral responsibility, as the media becomes more and more capable of microscoping us all…
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