Some of the most interesting ones?
- Facelette - Allows users to randomly chat using the iPhone Facetime feature
- Chatfe -Users start convos based on randoms questions
- VChatter - eHarmony meets Chatroulette (sans optional nudity) AND matches users up based on their Facebook profiles
One that I just tried, Feedback Roulette actually allows users to randomly critique others' websites in exchange for getting their own critiqued. Novel idea? Maybe. Or maybe its just a really great spin on an old idea. With all of the social media random meet-ups happening, companies are trying to find their own niches. Look at online TV viewing. There are already chat rooms, forums and tweet-ups. When Google TV hits the market, some interesting applications will most likely be bringing these same people with common interests into one social sphere to discuss what shows they are watching.
But unlike these preset meet-ups, I suspect that the -roulette era may find users engaging in more meaningful and quality conversations. These mini one-on-one experiments could flop and be a pool of pointless digital discussions, or the need to converse could lead to more thought-driven interaction.
What is even more interesting about this idea, is to see if online users' shared desires-- whether a website critique, a meaningful relationship or simply the need to meet someone new-- will transcend their physical judgments and predispositions. What if you meet someone randomly whose lifestyle you disagree with? What if the person you encounter someone\\ doesn't usually associate with people like you?
It may be a way to open the door for discussion. Maybe I am being to optimistic. I guess we will have to wait and see as the online-roulette experience unfolds.
What do you think? Will the -roulette craze spark a new wave of discussion-based human interaction, leading to more tolerance and understanding? OR is it just a bunch of pointless conversations floating around the social stream?
