Lately I’ve been reading a bit on quantum physics. I’m not really understanding much of it but I’m intrigued by one theory, born of the quantum physics era, that you often hear discussed in the modern era: the idea that observing an event fundamentally changes the event. For example, much of quantum physics is interested in observing the movement of tiny particles. But to observe these movements you need to have light and using light means you are bombarding the experiment with photons which can change the outcomes of the event. (This is one simple example of the larger concept.)

I was reminded of this when I stumbled across this article about a Czech brothel where johns can have sex with prostitutes for free as long as they consent to let the act be broadcast over the web. A female photographer just published a book of photos documenting this brothel and has thoughts on the publicness of these acts.

“To me it seems like an extreme example of what is happening to all of us in this internet age,” says Jakrlova, who splits her time between Prague and New York. “There is an absurdity where some people have to have it online to have it become real or exciting.”
…
Jakrlova says not all the interactions she witnessed at the club felt staged. There were moments of real affection between the clients and prostitutes, but the fact that those moments were broadcast online always qualified and relativized them, she says.
“There were real moments of humanity,” she says. “But overall I found it quite depressing.”

Once we know the sex act is observed it becomes different… a performance.

I should note that I’ve been logged onto the web site that broadcasts these sex acts for the last hour and I’ve already recognized three friends of mine.