On Rolled the Mad Ball Sensing A Lens

We all knew a kid at school who could be counted on to do daft stunts for attention. The permenant classroom jester, ready to perform whenever he (it was usually always a boy) fancied a bit of ego massaging. Jump in a river fully clothed? Sure thing! Dance on the headmasters car? Can do! Hell if there was a guaranteed large audience, this 'crazy funster' could even be persuaded to eat live earthworms. How do I know? Because Dai Jakes was this boy! Usually the type of kid to be found sitting under a tree reading a book, or painting heavy metal bands logos on my books, if ever I felt the need for the cheers from my classmates, I would do anything. Well almost anything.
Fastforward twenty five years and with the advent of the internet, and more importantly Youtube, the stakes have been raised way higher than jolly japes in the classroom. And it isn't only attention hungry teenagers who are risking all (even their lives) for high ratings on their Youtube channel. Its going end in tears one day, thats if it already hasn't in cases we dont know of.
With so many video hosting websites, everyone can be a reality television 'star' today and by and large its a good thing. Travel videos saved for eternity online, the ability to share videos for far away relatives and friends to enjoy. I love it. But as with anything to do with the internet, it has a dark side. Especially when it comes to lounge room legends (legends in their own mind) and disciples of MTV's Jackass. From Russian teenagers risking their lives by messing around on 300ft rusty towers, French loonies doing pull ups from 200ft cranes (no safety gear at all) and now we can see the rise of the "who-can-eat-the-grossest-thing" videos (see below.) People almost whoring themselves out by willingly performing stupid stunts in an effort to be 'internet famous'. Its quite sad really. And the less said about those idiots drinking pints of whisky (probably cold tea) on camera the better. Like I said, its all going to end in tears. And a few mourners.

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