There must be a little peeping tom in everyone – or at least in the people who are watching television. The popularity of closed circuit television (CCTV) and reality programs seems to prove this to be true.
The phenomena started innocently enough with MTV’s The Real World. It seemed that the music station decided on a whim to put seven strangers from diverse background in a house and just start filming. The reaction from viewers seemed to shock everyone involved. And the other broadcasters were paying attention.
In no time, the airways were saturated with “live” television programs. The more competition there was for viewers, the more outrageous the programs seemed to get.
“Big Brother” took the concept to a new level by putting strangers in a confined space for a long period of time with CCTV watching their every moment – even in the bathroom. The public seemed to thrive on the idea of watching other people’s lives play out on the small screen.
The cast of these shows often get caught up in the every day living and forget the cameras are around. This has lead to the kind of moments no one wants to get caught in – especially if it is going to be broadcast to everyone in the world including their mom. Cast members have been caught in intimate moments, risqué situations, and just rude or obnoxious behavior.
Even with the prospect of being humiliated to the world, the reality show pool just keeps growing. Everyone wants their 15 minutes of fame, and those who don’t want to just watch those that do.
With the addition of videos on the internet, CCTV could soon take a turn to a disturbing new level. It is possible that home CCTV will make its way to the hungry consumers. Next time you think no one is watching, you better realize the whole world just may be.
Kathryn Lang is a freelance security writer, specializing in
home security and
CCTV applications.
