IS Symposium assignment. (Did not attend)

QUESTION:

We see a lot of peep in our daily lives that seem harmless and celebrates life. But what about the peep that looks at the end of a person’s life? Comment on your reaction to The Bridge and the German artist who plans to display someone dying for people to witness in a museum.

Have we crossed the line? But isn’t death a natural part of life? Discuss using points in the PDf text provided to you on The Peep Diaries as well as the Practices of Looking text pgs 214-215 regarding the Fading Away photograph.

Use various sources to help support your argument, not just opinion. I want substance, not fluff, so really spend time crafting your response. Consider all angles of life and death from all points of view. Research other cultures beyond your own.

      Over share. This technology being provided to us is constantly giving us the ability to over share and we take advantage of it. We share everything about our lives and people post it on the web for anyone to see, even things that people looking (whoever they may be!) probably have no interest in viewing. Sharing is so addicting that without consciously realizing it, we begin to overshare.

       When I learned about the German artist who plans to display someone dying in a museum, my jaw almost dropped to the floor. Who would do that? Is that some sort of joke? Museums are meant to show artistic ability, interesting ideas, and various sculptures, not for human beings to be displayed on their death bed.

       Thinking back on the peep culture that I participate in doesn't seem so bad, but watching someone die? That sure as HELL crosses a line! Death is a private, personal moment, not only for those going through it, but for the family members of the loved one as well. The peep culture such as updating statuses when loved ones pass away or are sick and have just been diagnosed are acceptable. Family, friends, and co-workers want to know when something tragic happens so they can be there to console, support, and help as much as they possible can. 

      Yes, death is a natural part of life, but seeing it take place and being aware of the loss of someone are two totally different things and watching is take place is where peep culture begins to get out of hand and we cross a line.

      Family of the loved one does not want to share that final moment of their life with other by standers. Those last final moments prepare the family to begin to adapt to the big adjustment the death with bring in their lives, give them a chance to say goodbye, and start to grieve. Being watched while having to share that private, intimate moment with someone else let alone other peepers, is not acceptable.

      Other cultures are in tune with the peep culture. Just like the "Peep Diaries" mentions, Canada is just as nosy as Americans. They are peeping just as much as we are. I know people in Europe who have facebook's and blogs. We stay in touch and are caught up in each others lives this way. Peeping is so harmless until it crosses a line. People in other countries find death to be sacred. Other countries don't even have computers. This idea of peep culture would be a complete new world to them. They would be astonished at what we already share all over the web. Imagine if we started oversharing to the point where we displayed people dying on the web. Do Americans really need to be frowned upon, even more than we already are? 

      Oversharing is addictive and easy. Our attention is grabbed like when watching a bad car accident; you can't help but look out of curiosity. This explains why we constantly jump on facebook and just sit there and click on everyone's profiles. We're curiously trying to see what is going on in our friends' lives. However, THERE IS A LINE, and even though death is a natural part of life, it is not natural for it to be shared with everyone in the world as it happens.