Like skydiving or heroin, the webcam phenom Chatroulette is something I’d rather listen to folks talk about than actually try myself. That’s my attitude now, anyways. And it’s still the same even after watching this smart, funny and profound video by the very talented Casey Neistat. But what a great piece of piece of storytelling: it blends the personal, the analytical and the universal. And it does such a brilliant job of pinning what’s both silly and significant about the Chatroulette craze, that now I’m sure I don’t ever have to try it.

chat roulette from Casey Neistat on Vimeo.

Have you tried Chatroulette? How did that go for you?

Update: Jon Stewart lampooned the media hype over Chatroulette last night. Whatever. Neistat’s is better.

About the filmmaker(s)
Casey Neistat and his brother, Van, are supposed to be launching their own HBO show sometime soon. They’re basically a couple of wayward youths cum homemade auteurs. (Ready Casey’s bio if you got a minute.) You can watch more of their compelling videos at their website. Just don’t expect to get anything else done today.