Voyeur Nation: Media, Privacy and Peering in Modern Culture

by Clay Calvert

Book Overview

From 24-hour-a-day "girl cam" sites on the World Wide Web to trash-talk television shows like "Jerry Springer" and reality television programs like "Cops," we've become a world of voyeurs. We like to watch others as their intimate moments, their private facts, their secrets, and their dirty laundry are revealed.Voyeur Nation traces the evolution and forces driving what the author calls the 'voyeurism value.' Calvert argues that although spectatorship...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0813366275
• ISBN13: 9780813366272
• Release Date: October 2000
• Publisher: Basic Books
• Length: 288 Pages
• Weight: 1.00 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.8" x 8.6"

Customer Reviews

Peeping Tom USA

This is a winning analysis of the cultural and legal issues behind what Calvert calls "mediated voyeurism" - or the modern American obsession with other people's personal lives via the media. It's in a growing plague of reality shows and talk shows, and even so-called political reporting, and many times the exposed persons subject themselves to voyeurism voluntarily. Calvert starts with a fascinating examination of the slowly-building cultural trends that have turned Americans into voracious parasites of other people's privacy. Next is a legal analysis of how the law or the Constitution can or cannot help those who have had their privacy violated by mediated voyeurism. The only real glitch in this book is a rather perplexing First Amendment analysis in Chapter 7, which leaves unresolved the question of whether Calvert believes that Free Speech rights could or should protect the victim - or the voyeur. I also agree with a previous reviewer in that Calvert's very frequent flashbacks to previous chapters and previews of future chapters can be quite distracting. But overall, Calvert has delivered a unique and readable analysis, and back in 2000 he accurately predicted how much worse things would get. [~doomsdayer520~]

Great discussion on privacy vs. public's right to know

This is an excellent book covering a topic that affects anyone who watches TV or access the Internet. This book provokes thinking about what we view on TV news and "news magazines". What is newsworthy content? How far can and should the media go in terms of invading privacy by broadcasting private moments? Is shoving a camera into a grieving person's face newsworthy, or is it an invasion of privacy rights not worthy of First Amendment protection? What about secretly videotaping an accident victim's on-the-scene agony and broadcasting it later on TV without seeking the victim's permission?The author notes that the First Amendment was designed to promote participation in our democracy, but much of the content provided my media outlets today actually lulls viewers into a voyeuristic mode, suppressing the will of people to participate. Still, most of what we see on TV is protected by the First Amendment, even when the result is contrary to the desired effect of promoting an active and involved democracy.When reading this book, you might find yourself questioning court decisions, but you will also question the alternatives. This book provokes thought, as a good book should. I highly recommend it. You won't see the news or "news" magazine shows in the same light again!

Beagle says...

Mr. Calvert is clearly an authority on media law. The book is so well-written as to be accessible anyone who is interested in communications law. Contains a comprehensive discussion of the law, yet one which is easily understood by all. High marks for the author's use of plain language to convey ideas which could otherwise be quite difficult to understand. Worthwhile reading for the practitioner or layperson.

Caly Calvert, the Man, the Myth, the Mystery

I loved this book so much I gave it as a gift! Doctor Calvert is a gifted writer, and noticing that he is a professor at Penn State University, I have no doubt that if the classes he teaches are half as interesting as this book, it must be nearly impossible to get a spot in them! I reccommend this book whole-heartedly!

Book of the Year

Calvert's expertise in media law shines through in this eye-catching and attention holding book. Calvert's research is very thorough, very interesting and extremely relevant. Anyone who has ever watchted television or surfed the web should purchase this book and gain a better understanding of the world around them. Forget "highly recommended" This book is rated, "Enter your shipping address here.."