In Paumgarten’s essay, we follow the invention of the GoPro, a POV camera used initially and primarily by professional and amateur athletes to film footage of various stunts, treks, and the occasional “fail.” A video is offered up as a “worldie” (334) — contrary to a selfie — in which the footage is viewed as a form of narrative, complete with “unimaginable risk, uncharted beauty, unlikely encounter, or unexpected twist” (335). As we might discuss the value of a good story, so we are presented with speculation about the value of this footage, and we are also prompted to consider what it asks us in return about the value of our life experiences recorded within the footage. With the early 2000s technology boom leading to the pervasiveness of social media platforms, we can see our methods of communication changing, and with that change a possible set of new expectations for our social involvement. Besides the entertainment value, the POV camera may increase accountability when used “as a tool for soldiers and police” (339). Therefore, its ubiquity and potential usefulness (or misuse) merits a discussion on the ethics (standards and principles of its practice) surrounding its footage. Using Paumgarten’s essay as support, “propose an ethics of video” (342) arguing the ethical boundaries of filming in our lives and the ethical challenges/risks in enforcing these boundaries. Questions to consider: What are the ramifications of POV cameras’ ubiquity? Does declaring “Life is footage” oversimplify life (332)? As the technology boom and pervasiveness of social media platforms have evolved our society’s communication style, how do POV cameras contribute? What is being trimmed away in this process, and what is being gained? If POV camera footage is like a narrative, is it equally striving to communicate truths about our realities? What are the motivations behind the process of crafting the footage? While we may feel our individual voices or lives are aired more easily and broadly with POV cameras, are there societal standards people are striving to meet that manipulate or detract from that individuality? If these POV cameras influence our perception of life and each other, what questions might we need to ask ourselves about ethical standards in filming, distributing, and viewing the footage? Are there boundary lines to be drawn? If so, where and how might they be enforced? What are the benefits of filming our lives, and how might these boundaries promote these benefits? Is there potentially danger in drawing these lines and/or enforcing them? Would we be crossing other lines in the process, such as restricting freedom of speech? If people are harming themselves in the process of recording footage, are the companies responsible for the cameras responsible for the harmful consequences? What should be the basic principles, or ethics, of filming in our lives, and why?
