Video Killed T̶h̶e̶ ̶R̶a̶d̶i̶o̶...Us All.

Here’s a truth.  We are not excellent videographers. We have evolved as story tellers. So, why is it that whenever we see something fantastic, like a concert, or flash mob, or great dance, we feel the need to video document it?


The video never turns out great.  They are shaky and either include too much detail or not enough and never leave the viewer with an opportunity for interpretation.  For example, I saw this  video on Facebook (the same as below) and so many of the spectators are video taping the entire thing.  They can’t possibly be enjoying the surprise event even a sliver as much as the children who climbed up the pole to get a better view or those who were co-conducting from the background.  The story the amateur videographers have to tell is “hey, look at this thing that happened in the public square today.  It was neat.”  Where is the conversation, the story, the drama?  For the children, the story is “Today, in the public square, I climbed up a pole so I could see the concert.  There were violins and cellos and crazy looking stick instruments.  There were even singers.  The song was so beautiful that I had to dance to it.  People gathered all around to watch.  I had so much fun.” 

That is a feeling, a great story and an even better memory.  Those children had time to really let themselves become absorbed in that moment. In fact, their retelling of the event leaves room for other interaction “What was the song?  Could you recognize it? How many people were singing?  Did you see anyone else dancing?  Do you feel inspired to practice your instrument?”

Watch the video again and count how many people are trying to "capture" the moment on video.  I could find 28, and that doesn't include the many I could see when the video is panned out. It is not possible to really take in the moment when watching it through a tiny video screen.  Besides, how many YouTube videos of the same event does this world really need?  This one, perfectly edited video gives me the sense of how the event went down and what it would have felt like to actually be present.

The same goes for concerts, flash mobs, and any other celebrated event.  Any wedding dance, flash mob, or performer has hired someone to capture the  event and capture it well, so that way when I come home and talk about how unbelievable the pyrotechnics were at a recent concert, I can upload the professionally done video to prove that my story is, indeed, as remarkable as I tell it.  The point is, that there was a story.  I left the “capturing of the event” to the professionals.


Dancing, concerts, performance art, flash mobs, street performers and musicians try and create connections through their practice.  When we put a phone barrier between the performer and the audience, some of the magic is lost.  This is why I believe  radio is so effective.  The lack of images allows a listener to really hear stories, imagine what those events were like, connect to the storyteller and interpret those words.  The interpreter is allowed to fully invest themselves in the moment and connect with another human based on their words.  Videos leave no room for interpretation, pondering and certainly no room for conversation to connect with another human being.  Because let's face it, it is much easier to say nothing than have to reach out to someone else.

This is not to say that all videography is bad or not useful.  But let’s put it this way, how many horror stories have we heard about someone getting beat up so badly, but no one bothers to call the police because all the witnesses are video taping the whole thing.  Again, how many versions of this event does the world really need?  Put away the camera and do the right thing.

I encourage questions, comments, and reactions.  I leave you with an oldie but relevant goody to ponder your last great story…. with out a homemade video.