While cameras do not directly link realities, they deal in the transport of it. Though a beach in Brazil may be physically far when viewed through a webcam, the absolute distance does not necessarily mean we don't feel 'close' to its subjects. Even when confronted with the vastness of landscapes like NYC, we can't help but project our narratives.
EarthCam is one such popularization of this phenomenon. With hundreds of webcams placed around the globe, anyone can peer into corners of the world like a pub in Dublin or a beach in Maui. Though the places displayed are ordinary to people physically present, the allure of the frame evokes thoughts about the place captured. Images of a bustling New York City can recall thoughts about past experiences or the lives of the people being captured. We wonder about the people captured in frame, walking from one point to the next or dining at a restaurant. Who are they? Where are they going? What do they live for?
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