I'm reminded once again this week of something that has become a fairly intrusive part of our everyday lives.
Ever wonder how much of our existence is now captured on videotape?
Every time you walk into the Wawa. On many shopping district streets. In the mall. While we're filling up the SUV. In parking lots. Every time we go through a toll booth.
And, as Jack Cleghorn learned this week, during school board meetings.
Cleghorn was the interim superintendent for the Interboro School District. During a recent meeting, he appears to be mouthing some fairly strong comments toward a person speaking to the board. Someone - of course - shot a video of a laptop displaying the video feed of the meeting and posted it online.
An uproar ensued.
Cleghorn Thursday stepped down, but strongly denies making the derogatory statements many are attributing to him.
We offer our position in what is becoming an increasingly coarse public discussion. You can read it here. I am guessing Cleghorn will not agree with our conclusion. That is certainly his right.
Likewise we take note of the brouhaha that erupted this week when a family donning anti-cancer hats were booted from the King of Prussia Mall. We're actually taking the mall's side on this one. The family's motive was a good one, but the method - and wording - they chose to deliver it was over the line.
That is, if anonye can determine what is over the line these days when, maybe more than ever, video is delivering on Andy Warhol's promise. We'll all be famous for 15 minutes.
In recent months we've seen an explosion in things we would never expect to see on video - parents setting up fights with their children; our-of-control kids harassing a bus driver and monitor; kids filming a vicious attack in school, and of a mentally challenged woman.Alan Funt, the man who made 'Candid Camera' the first reality TV show, had no idea how video would evolve. Now every person with a smart phone has - and is all too willing to post - the most candid of videos.
Keep that in mind the next time you're in your local convenience store.
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