Video posts, Youtube, and Free Hugs

Recently there has been an uprising of video posts on facebook. A friend uses a webcam so they can record themselves as they leave a message for you. But what sounds like a neat idea- I mean, you actually get to see the person which is pretty cool- does not always have neat results. I've viewed many such messages and I must say, they aren't that impressive. Most of the time they consist of people rambling about nothing in particular. You get a lot of "ums" and "okay this is taking too long" and not a lot of actual content. Why do people leave these messages if they have nothing substantial to say? Are these videos the result of boredom or camera-shyness? Does anyone actually like recieving these messages if they don't really say anything? I guess I just don't really get the fascination with these video messages, besides the excuse to use a webcam.

In my digital media studies class we talked a lot about youtube today. One thing I found surprising, and at times downright funny, is the fury some people have over "youtube fakers." People get so upset if people are acting rather than being themselves on youtube. Isn't there room in youtube for both? I've always considered youtube to be a space not really to be taken seriously, a place to kick back, relax, and watch some funny, usually meaningless videos. Why are people getting so worked up over this?

Another thing I discovered in the midst of our youtube discussion is this video- "Free Hugs".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vr3x_RRJdd4

Juan Mann came from London to his home in Sydney, Australia with nothing to come home to. He wanted someone to greet him, hug him. And that's where it all began. He made a sign that said "Free Hugs" and offered hugs to strangers. Someone took a video of him and posted it on youtube, and now people are reaching out to others all over the world. I think this is wonderful. Everyone can use a hug, even if it's from a stranger. For more about the "Freee Hugs Campaign" visit http://www.freehugscampaign.org/