Let There Be Light
As the world increasingly goes online, it seems as though people are growing further apart. Nay-sayers have oft decried increasing popularity of distanced Communication, countless books being released in only the past decade about how young people are becoming increasingly “disconnected” and the effects this is having on the developing brain.
As with much such doomsaying, the reactions have tended to come in two forms. Suggestible people grew concerned about the “lack of connection” and those with their ability to reason still intact decided they needed more evidence before condemning an entire mode of communication. It turns out now that a large part of the problem could come down to the quality of the lighting. As advanced as web-cams may now be getting, few can deny, lighting still leaves much to be desired. Many video calls on Skype, even in a naturally lit room, seeming to between individuals in Witness Protection.
I have more than once been asked why I am wearing sunglasses at night which, despite a nostalgic soft sport for Corey Hart, I never have. Never fear gentle reader, you and your Youtube fellows and Skype chums will soon be seeing each other, warts and all, with
The Chatlight developed and released by Glowzi.
How does Chatlight work?
Based on a similar design as the “titty-bitty-booklight”, Chatlight slips to the frame of your device’s screen (any device will do), mounting a studio quality mini-florescent bulb in your general direction, light the vicinity like a big box store, making things a great deal clearler, particularly if one makes use of a camera with HD capability. Bedroom filmmakers of the world rejoice!
Why Does it Matter?
A question that can be reasonably asked of any new technology. Is this actually useful or another piece of expensive plastic that will be collecting dust in six months? Segways, Palm Pilots and the corpses of countless “obsolete” cell-phone and smartphone models serving as sad reminders of the latter case. There are two contexts in which the Chatlight could well be an indispensable tool. The first is when appearance is a factor. Many of us were likely told as children that “looks don’t matter”, the same number later discovering the difference between literal and figurative. Looks don’t matter for anything substantial in a literal sense but visual input can be of primary importance in terms of unconscious assessment.
You can put all the effort you want into your appearance for a Skype interview or first, nervous meeting after text-flirtation on a dating sight and it will count for little, if the person on the end only has a, literally, dim view of the results. The other situation where a clear view can be essential are ones when clear communication is key. As well as the previous examples of business and burgeoning romance, education and demonstration – tutorials anyone? – can be situations in which a clear view can make the difference between success and failure.
