Chat Roulette: Another Form of Social Media Moolah? [VIDEO]
March 24, 2010 by zane
Filed under Social Media
To skip straight to the video documentation of my scientific research, click here.
I first heard about Chat Roulette about a month ago. Since then, about 20% of the people I know have tried it out at least once. For the uninitiated, Chat Roulette is an even mixture of exciting, random, creepy, and desperate. You simply go to the website, click new game, and you will randomly connect with a perfect stranger online (note: webcam required!)
When I first tried it out, I did so with the thought that this could, perhaps, be yet another way for Realtors across the nation to make money. Think about it: you are talking to random people across the WORLD. There’s bound to be someone who’s moving somewhere, right??
In most cases, no. Chat Roulette is filled with adolescent teens, creepy exhibitionists (all of which are male), and a very small minority who are actually looking to talk to someone from a different part of the globe. In my first expedition, I was myself: simple, boring, Zane. Only one out of every 15 people actually bothered to talk to me; doubtless because I was neither an attractive female nor a shirtless teen with a gallon of gel in my hair. Nevertheless, I was determined to try and find SOME way to monetize this for you Realtors out there.
That is precisely why I decided to execute the following experiment. Documented below, you will find my alter-ego trying very hard to sell some real estate. It will become obvious that Chat Roulette is filled with distractions; I have edited out all graphically obscene incidents.
In all seriousness, there is some potential for Chat Roulette as a way to make money via viral marketing exposure or audience participation (see bit about Miller Lite) if you’re a band or national/global company. Otherwise, it’s just place to kill some time. Or brain cells.
**On a serious note: I recommend that any parents out there strongly guard against their children going on this site. While, ideally, it’s a great forum to meet new people and explore new cultures, in reality, it is a haven of men exposed in real time from the waist down.**
Watch in Full Screen to read text:
Thank you for the sensible critique. Me & my neighbour were preparing to do some research about that. We got a good book on that matter from our local library and most books where not as influensive as your information.
It is the best time to make some plans for the future and it’s time to be happy. I have read this post and if I could I wish to suggest you few interesting things or advice. Perhaps you could write next articles referring to this article. I want to read more things about it!