Last night, I had the pleasure of having dinner with a couple of good friends (David Cohen, Danny Newman, Eric Marcouiller, Heather Capri, Stan James, and Judd) and a couple of new friends (Kyle, Ingrid–come upstairs! and few more). As a geek filled table often does, the conversation turned to new technologies, and most specifically to user generated live video.

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As you can see from this video, Andrew believes that user generated live video is before its time and something that will never take off. Why? Let him tell it:

Compelling Content Is Hard to Produce. 

According to Andrew, the reason that user generated live video is never going to take off, is because its not interesting. Isnt that a value statement that Andrew is placing on people? They are all just too boring? Seems that the truth of the matter, and the reason many video companies are doing well is because at least some people find other people interesting ALL THE TIME. It may not be interesting to you, Andrew, but that doesnt mean its not interesting to me.

Actual Quality is Low.

I dont disagree with Andrew here. The quality of the video is low NOW. But, is the quality of the message low? If the message is interesting enough (which, according to his first point is impossible), the medium because secondary in my decision to consume. Dont mix the message with the medium. There are times when a 23 year old kid in a “Fuck it! I’ll Fund It” tshirt can provide a more valuable message than a suit wearing Abacrombie Model.

Demand Is Lacking.

Really? Between Ustream.tv, Qik.com and Justin.tv there are more than 300,000 people that go to those sites monthly. Certainly not huge numbers, but how can you say demand is lacking. More interestingly, in the course of about a year, Justin.tv has seen a more than 10000% increase in traffic, Ustream.tv a 8,000% increase in traffic. Qik.com has gone from basically zero users to more than 40,000 in less than three months. If that is lacking demand, I wish this blog was lacking in demand.

You Can’t Control the Content of Live.

Now, Andrew, are you shooting for a word count? As my ten year old nephew says, “No shit sherlock.” That, in and of itself is what makes live video interesting. In regards to protection under the law, there are many ways to protect a company, but I am not a lawyer, so perhaps you can ask your legal team or pull from your vast legal knowledge to answer that one.

Are Peoples Lives Really That Boring?

Only when people repeat themselves. See point #1.

Does It Have to Be Live?

Because there are unplanned moments in life that would be wonderful to share with people. How many pictures have I missed because I didnt have a camera? How many moments in my life do I wish I could have shared live with people that werent there? Tons. If you want to live in an over-produced world, then you are not living an honest life.

Lack of Compelling Stories.

Seriously? This one had to put you over the word count. This is a repeat of point #1 and #5.

The most disappointing thing about Andrew’s post for me what that he is unwilling to allow for innovation in real time. “Make it perfect and I will use it,” is what I read. And thats just sad.