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The camera has always been a tool for capturing events that “the people” need to see. For instance, when Rodney King was savagely beaten by a group of L.A. police officers during a traffic stop, the video captured by the camera was evidence of the police’s wrongdoing (despite their acquittal). And, of course, the murder of George Floyd, captured by a young Black woman with her camera, showed that the brutality suffered by black men at the hands of police continues to this day.
While the camera by itself has been a hero in many instances, the “camera phone” has been the downfall of society in so many ways. The recent murder of Takeoff from the rap group The Migos is a perfect example of how "instant camera access" can go too far. Gruesome images and video of Takeoff's death (and the immediate aftermath) raced across the internet at light speed. Many people were appalled that the media would release such images as it deprived Takeoff and his family of the peace that is required when such a terrible event visits one's family.
I'm not speaking of cameras in general but more specifically the camera phone. I realize that the title is a “hot take” and I’m being hyperbolic on purpose but let's think about what sorts of behaviors the camera phone has facilitated, amplified, and even encouraged, in the last decade, that can be detrimental to us individually and as a society.
The Desire to Record During a Crisis Event
Here are a few instances where camera phones have captured the final moments of famous rappers:
Takeoff
Nipsey
PnB
Xxxtension
I have to ask, what makes a m'fer think to grab their phone in times of crisis? I'm old school. When sh*t popped off, we got the hell up out of there, period. There was no time to reach for anything because we were too busy running in the opposite direction.
Maybe it started with Worldstar Hip-Hop. I remember videos being posted of people getting stomped or "knocked the fu*k out." Was this the beginning? How did it go from recording fights to recording murders?
The Desire to Capture Every Moment of One’s Life (Social Media)
Another thing I've noticed now is that people can't simply enjoy fellowshipping without also "capturing" every damn moment with every damn body. Can we just chill and talk without having to also pose for a pic every 5 seconds?
Please believe me when I say that if it's not on the Gram it still DID indeed happen!
My wife calls me a curmudgeon, lol. That may well bethe case - I've gotten less tolerant as I've grown older. Regardless of that fact, you have to agree that the camera phone (or the smartphone itself) is at the center of a shifting social dilemma that is poised to bring down thoughtful dialogue, human decency, and simply "living in the moment."
Let me know your thoughts below. You don't need an account to comment.