What I've been wondering is, can Omegle be used for good and not evil? What if I tried to use this weirdly intimate medium to preach social change? Social marketing one-on-one, pure and simple.
As an issue, I chose styrofoam. Toxic, unrecyclable and non-biodegradable, it's one of those little evils we do to the Earth every time we go use a disposable plate for company birthday cake, buy overpackaged stuff from China, or order a poutine.
I decided I'd log in, and start evangelizing. Here's what happened: (typos and all)
Attempt #1:Connecting to server...You're now chatting with a random stranger. Say hi!You: Hi thereStranger: heey !Stranger: how are you darlin?You: Do you use a lot of styrofoam?You: Hello?Stranger: hiConnection imploded.
Attempt #2:Connecting to server...You're now chatting with a random stranger. Say hi!You: Hi thereStranger: hiYou: Do you use styrofoam a lot?Stranger: cant say that i doYou: That's great!Stranger: why?You: I want people to use lessStranger: why do you want that?You: It's not recyclableYou: And it's nasty stuffStranger: do you preach the green way of life on this site?You: AbsolutelyYou: Just small changes that can change the worldStranger: what other things should i not be using to help save the trees?Stranger: like?You: Plastic forks?Stranger: I believe you, I'm just curious what efforts should be taken by one personYou: Bottled water?You: Public transit?Stranger: I dont use much plasticYou: Awesome!Stranger: unfortunately, i have to drive a lotYou: Where do you live?Stranger: bostonYou: I hear the ttraffic is brutalStranger: that it isYou: What's your opinion on environmental stufff?You: Hello?Stranger: i understand that many overconsume stuff that isnt safe for the earthYou: That's great!Stranger: i also believe that there are other environment things that people should be talking aboutStranger: but they focus on this whole being 'green' thingYou: Like what?Stranger: i wish people would draw more attention to things like environmental racism/injusticeYou: Please elaborateStranger: places like cancer alley in louisana#3:You: ?Connection imploded.Connecting to server...Looking for someone you can chat with. Hang on.You're now chatting with a random stranger. Say hi!Stranger: hiYou: HeyStranger: how are you?You: Good.Stranger: where are u from?You: Ottawa. Do you use a lot of styrofoam?You: Hello?Stranger: styrofoam? i didnt understandYou: I'm trying to get people to use lessStranger: butYou: Toxic, unrecyclable and non-biodegradable, it's one of those little evils we do to the Earth every time we go use a disposable plate for company birthday cake, buy overpackaged stuff from China, or order a poutine.You: ASL?Stranger: ohConnection imploded.
#4Connecting to server...You're now chatting with a random stranger. Say hi!You: Hi thereStranger: hey there!Stranger: goshStranger: darn itStranger: oh geeStranger: im nervousYou: Do you like styrofoam?You: Do you use a lot of it?Stranger: ive never been in a chatroom beforeConnection imploded.
#5Connecting to server...You're now chatting with a random stranger. Say hi!You: Ho thereStranger: are you a retard??You: Want to talk about styrofoam?Stranger: sorryStranger: sureYou: Do youn use a lot?You: What do you think about it?Stranger: you know it lasts practically forever and will never biodegrade?You: Exactly!You: And it's non-recyclableStranger: it is made from hydrocarbons, usually from crude oilStranger: yesStranger: non-recycalbleYou: Wow! You're well-informedStranger: thankyouYou: Do you want to say anything to my blog followers? I'm gonna blog thisYou: I'm doing social marketing 1 on 1You: In real timeStranger: okStranger: how about....global warming is a farce.You: Go on...Stranger: but pollution is an ongoing problemYou: What kind?You: ...of pollution?Stranger: we would all still be talking about oil spills and factory run-off if some idiot hadn't started this crackpot global warming malarkyStranger: plastics in the oceanStranger: pesticidesYou: Carcinogens?Stranger: 10/80 poison is still used todayYou: What's that?Stranger: yes, many toluene based productsYou: Are you an expert?Stranger: it's a poison used to kill ratsStranger: noStranger: an enthusistStranger: enthusiastYou: you just like to be well-informed?Stranger: yesStranger: you blog?You: YupStranger: where can i read it?You: workthatmatters.blogspot.comStranger: don't go away,,,,2minsStranger: not much to readYou: huh?Stranger: no much to read?Stranger: nothing on your blog mateYou: OhYou: content wise, or...?Connection imploded.
So, in answer to my original question: Probably not. At least nobody swore at me or sent porn this time.
that's hilarious
ReplyDeleteI went through a similar experiment, recently. It seems easier nowadays to get people to engage (i gave them the link for my youtube channel and more then 60% watched it).
ReplyDeleteI think lonlyness bacame a bigger issue now, maybe that's why.
Anyway, great Post. If you still write, keep foing things like that.