Social Media has allowed for average people to connect with other people all over the world. The majority of those connections are with friends, family, colleagues or acquaintances on Twitter, Facebook and the other popular social networks. Especially with Twitter allowing anyone to follow your stream, the random connections are unavoidable but usually based on something like a comment about a similar interest.
In comes Chatroulette! to truly randomize connections. The site has been covered in excess since it’s launch as a breeding ground for flashers but with some filters and focus it can be a great access point for connections. Although I’m too scared to actually try it out (random nudity is not my thing), the process to play the game is simple. All you need is a webcam and internet and you’re good to go. There are no filters, search terms or common interest just raw, random connection.
This concept is exciting and intriguing because it is fundamentally dangerous. That danger attracts a certain audience for at least a one time visit but to keep people interested and coming back, it will require the option of filtering. For example, today I might want to talk about Fashion and Style, I would be much more likely to jump onto the site if I knew it was likely I would connect with someone wanting to discuss the same topic. With those filters, Chatroulette could become a site with staying power rather than a passing trend.
Here is a video, no nudity included, showcasing the fun nature of the tool.
