The Australian Story episode “Reality Bytes” which tells the story of Australian YouTube user DrLemur (Daniel Meadows) is now available online from the show’s website for viewing.
It proved to be much more than merely an account of one man’s detainment. And the love story between Daniel and Shannon unfolds beautifully in front of our eyes. (Eh, what can I say.. it made me feel all warm and fuzzy.)
One thing that Daniel seemed to take exception at after watching the advertisement for the episode was the status he was assigned as a ‘computer geek.’
Computer geek…? It’s an interesting interesting take on my life there. Tune in this is going to be very interesting. And… I tell you what if I’m a computer geek, all of you are computer geeks too. Every single last one of you watching on YouTube are a computer geek… nerds, nerds is what you really are. Just nerds. All of you. I’m not alone. I’m not.
I couldn’t help but agree with him after watching the episode. Even its presenter, Caroline Jones, confessed to not really understanding anything about the internet.
It amused me too because recently there has been much speculation that Vloggerheads might actually be a cult – when, clearly, any type of online activity (including YouTube) is seen as a pecuilar thing by the wider community.
Reading this from an RSS feeder? You might not be getting the full experience.
Related Content:
Re: Computer Geek? [YouTube]
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I just finished watching the program on the Australian website, I was a little upset at first by the media’s perception of our YouTube community, but they did a pretty good job once it got going. John, thanks for putting the link to the video up on Twitter, I hope a lot of people get a chance to see it.
I must say, I’m a little bemused by your protestation at being labeled a computer geeks – all of you.
While talking to a colleague today about last night’s tv viewing, I described both my friend (you) who’d told me about the Australian Story episode and the object of the story as computer nerds.
I still stand by that statement. You’re computer nerds. I’m a computer nerd too, but of a different sort. We have different focuses. So, to be more specific one might define you as a YouTube nerd, but I’d also argue that to call you a computer nerd would also fit, as YT makes up a part of the Internet, as do all online communities, which are accessed through computers. And we both spend too much time communicating through computers with one another and other people.
I also find your comments about vloggers and Caroline Jones’ impression of you guys to be interesting. You have to understand that Australian Story is made for a broad audience, much broader than you’re used to with your little vlog audiences. Most ABC, particularly Australian Story, viewers would not vlog, nor I suspect blog, let alone have a great idea of the concept or community. If you take offense at the fact that the concept of you guys needed to be dumbed down, maybe it’s true that you’re social recluses, and as recluses you need to expand your horizons and start mixing with people other than those of similar interests and only fellow vloggers.
I don’t believe the story was targeted at vloggers, so if you got offended by it, maybe the simpler, less targeted pitch of Australian Story isn’t for you. But, the show presented DrLemur’s story well and that is to be applauded.
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