Surfers confused by ‘Dying Cam’ prank

We are all dying, master magician tells us.......

By Linda Harrison • Get more from this author

Posted in Music and Media, 27th March 2001 22:52 GMT

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Surfers were a touch confused today after master magician Jim Callahan revealed his 'Dying Cam'.

The prankster last week promised to show "a person dying live on your computer". But the inquisitive and sadistic elements of cyberspace were this afternoon disappointed to find the following statement on the site by Callahan in the place of the promised 'Edge Exhibit':

"We are all dying. I am, you are (even as you read this)- all of us are. A clock keeps track of what is lost ( you were viewing me, a person dying of natural causes).

"I believe those who view life in such a way are less likely to waste time. Life is a terminal illness. Time wears us all away...From the moment of birth or before, depending on your own views, we begin the process. Most never realize they are slowly progressing to the edge, but we are. I believe in making the most of a day and enjoying it to the best of your ability at the time."

Fair enough - Callahan never promised to show someone die online, only 'dying'.

The stunt provoked mixed responses from visitors to his site.

"Its a hoax, but im happy, nobody died!" one observer posted on the site's forum.

"He IS VERY GOOOOOD.... Guys and girls just Read evry thing [sic] its perfect Jim youre [sic] right ....." is another message.

But others are not conviced. "WHAT THE F*** IS ALL THIS ABOUT??" asks one confused Dane. ®