Videocracy Done Right

When I left Google’s Videocracy event last Wednesday, I was handed a palm-sized video recorder by Flip with a cool, retro face. Last night, I turned it on, pressed a button, and recorded my fiance jumping around in our living-room, waving gleefully. Later, my friends agreed, it was supremely entertaining. I’m resisting the impulse to load it up on YouTube tagged with his name (maybe not so good, given his occupation requires him to wear a suit to work everyday).

But, if I did upload it, I bet people would watch it. What does that say about people? YouTube puzzles media critics, the kind that started off going to book parties in the 19702; they say it appeals to the lowest common denominator but also personally recognize that it’s also just cool. It seems humans have always needed ridiculousness. After all, Shakespeare always had a jester. We need to make light of our existence somehow. Often, the jester in Shakespearian plays delivered the much-needed wisdom.

Most people on YouTube haven’t read Malcolm McLaren, and don’t care about its social implications. They’re just there for a good time. Meanwhile, video uploads continue, and YouTube’s audience is democratizing the production of content.

Depending, of course, on who you read, our “Shakespeare” was probably a composite of multiple people. In recent history, at least in Western society, we’ve enjoyed the idea of genius attributed to a single person. Perhaps, YouTube and the digital revolution will change that.

I’m sure there are multiple Shakespeares filming in their bedrooms right now. I just hope that somehow I can find their videos.