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YouMe Promises Real Life Avatars

by Ben Deitz on February 2, 2010 at 02:50 PM

While avatars are all the rage lately, we've wanted our own remote control human ever since we laid eyes on Larry Mittleman, the professional surrogate played by Bob Einstein in 'Arrested Development'. A new service called YouMe, looks like it may grant our wish.

The service allows subscribers ("You's") to issue commands via headset or text message to people across the world ("Me's"). "Me's" are paid for their services, and are equipped with live streaming video and audio recording equipment to record their activities. According to the YouMe Web site, as a "Me," you "can earn more from each request as you increase your online profile."

We envision a future of in-demand celebrity "Me's" willing to perform the most extreme, mind-numbing, and harrowing of tasks. Hostage negotiation! Playing a complete game of Penn & Teller's 'Desert Bus'! Repeated viewings of David Bowie and Mick Jagger's 'Dancing in the Street' video!

It remains to be seen, however, how YouMe plans to curb requests for illegal and illicit behavior (especially when they entice users to "get up to mischief but still remain anonymous"). Still, we're looking forward to YouMe's mid-year beta launch to see whether or not it can deliver on its voyeuristic promises. [From PSFK, via: Technabob]

Tags: ArrestedDevelopment, Avatar, BobEinstein, SocialNetworking, surrogates

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