We Live in Public

In the early 1990s, Josh Harris rises to prominence in New York City's downtown Internet scene. His innovative chat and streaming audio platforms set the stage for what is to become the Internet's potential to reshape human interaction.

Josh Harris establishes Jupiter Communications, the first Internet market research company. This groundbreaking venture marks his entry into the tech world, showcasing his foresight about the Internet's capabilities.

Harris founds Pseudo.com, the first Internet television network, during a time when broadband availability was scarce. This bold initiative prioritizes innovation in media consumption, solidifying Harris's status as a visionary.

As the millennium approaches, Harris constructs an underground bunker in New York City, where over 100 individuals live under constant surveillance. The experiment aims to explore the effects of extreme media immersion and social interaction.

On New Year's Day 2000, the bunker experiment is abruptly terminated by FEMA. The abrupt end of this groundbreaking social experiment leaves Harris searching for new ways to connect with the public.

Harris sets up a new experiment by rigging his loft with 32 motion-sensitive cameras. Through the website weliveinpublic.com, he broadcasts his life alongside his girlfriend Tanya for six months in an attempt to draw viewers into their intimate reality.

The constant 24/7 streaming of Harris’s life leads to a significant loss of autonomy. Viewers start to exert influence over his reality, resulting in the deterioration of his relationship with Tanya and his mental health.

After the collapse of his relationship and financial losses from the dot-com crash, Harris retreats to an apple farm in upstate New York. This five-year period of isolation marks a time of reflection away from the pervasive media spotlight.

Upon returning to the tech landscape, Harris attempts to launch Operator 11, a platform for live streaming user content. However, he discovers that YouTube has already conquered the market with a simpler concept.

Feeling financially vulnerable after the demise of Operator 11, Harris disappears to Ethiopia. He grapples with the reality of a world evolving beyond his initial vision and success in the tech industry.

Filmmaker Ondi Timoner documents Harris's story, capturing over a decade of his life. The film serves as a cautionary tale reflecting on human interaction in an age dominated by media and technology.

Through interviews and vérité footage, Timoner illustrates Harris as a modern cautionary figure. The film highlights the personal ramifications of a life lived under the pressures of rapid technological advancement.

Josh Harris's early predictions about digital networking manifest in the rise of platforms like Friendster, MySpace, and Facebook. These developments reaffirm the relevance of his earlier visions for the future of communication.

As the film concludes, Harris warns that society is just beginning to witness the effects of digital transformation. His reflections on this change serve as a reminder of the consequences of living in a tech-driven world.