These are huge FaceTime broadcasts broadcast live 24 hours a day, 7 days a week on giant circular screens. One is in Dublin, Ireland and the other is in New York, USA. Designed by Lithuanian artist Benedictus GylisThe work aims to “eliminate physical boundaries” by connecting individuals despite the time difference and the 3000 km distance that separates them.

Unfortunately, while some scenes have moved us, like the couple's transatlantic reunion through a portal to the future, the videos that have gone viral are those featuring the individuals who made them the scene of their antics.

Improper behavior

From rock-paper-paper-scissors and virtual flirtations to lewd gestures (middle fingers) and indecent exhibitions (one showing her back, the other showing her chest), the content quickly veered into obscenity. The Irish police even had to intervene to arrest a woman who was drunkenly rubbing against the screen.

From the Irish portal, a particularly shocking scene occurred: individuals posted on their phones a picture of the Twin Towers on fire, a symbol of trauma for Americans. These disrespectful actions, while not illegal, raise many ethical questions as the portal is accessible to anyone on the streets of both cities.

In a press release published on Monday, Dublin City Council confirmed that “the majority of interactions were positive”, while recognizing that a “very small minority” had adopted “inappropriate behaviour” which was “largely amplified on social networks.

“The Online Ban Effect”

This was not its primary purpose, but the installation of this portal provides an interesting reflection. Under the veil of anonymity, Internet users behave differently online than they do in real life, feeling invisible and therefore untouchable. As pointed out Huffington PostPsychologist John Super This phenomenon is called the “online disinhibition effect,” where individuals allow themselves to say and do things they would not dare to do in in-person interactions, thereby creating a disconnect between their physical and virtual identities. An opportunity to rethink our behavior in cyberspace.

The portal is planned to remain until autumn 2024, and artistic performances are expected to take place there. The BBC reports that Dublin has announced that it is deploying “technical solutions” in the event of an emergency. Until then, let's hope the residents of these two cities don't cause diplomatic incidents.