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Is it morally wrong to make a video that may induce seizures?

SimonWaldram	Date: August 9, 2008 @ 11:35 PM I am interested in creating a music video for one of my songs using video feedback. This would be done by connecting a video camera to a television and then filming the TV screen, thereby creating a loop. I have seen some examples of this on YouTube and I think the effects can be amazing. However, I am also aware that they can cause people to have seizures. In fact, even though I do not have epilepsy there is one video currently up that made my head feel very strange I as was watching it and I had to shut it off. So I want people's opinions: Is making a video like this morally responsable as long as you are sure to give people fair warning as to what they are watching? Or is it somehow wrong as you could still trigger a seizure in someone who has never had one before? Here is an example of what I'm talking about: note I had no problems watching this one and consider it to be quite beautiful, but be aware that it still contains rapidly moving images amd flashing light effects: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uw5onuS2_mw
zedsalt	Date: August 10, 2008 @ 3:32 AM Hmm, I didn't think about people who have never had a seizure, and therefore, don't know what a pre-seizure aura feels like. I think most folks, though, would have sense enough to stop anything that's bringing one on, if they can. By the same token, when I was a kid, before I knew what a PSA was, I'd "push" them a little, experience them like a recreational drug. Morally? I think as long as you're not treating human beings like fainting goats, you're alright. I mean, unlike the lack of consequence to the goats (intentionally startling them to watch them drop still doesn't strike me as "right", really), any seizure can bring about loss of chunks of memory, loss of senses, death, lifelong coma, etc. But anything with a regular rhythm can trigger seizures in different people. Some people are set off by fluorescent lights- do you think of building owners who use fluorescents as sadistic? Of course not- intent matters.
leflaw	Date: August 10, 2008 @ 3:32 AM Strobe lights in clubs produce seizures.
zedsalt	Date: August 10, 2008 @ 3:41 AM Not for me, not usually. After my first episode of grande mals (four in a row- seizure/post seizure comas without a break in between), they put me on a prescription antispasmodic which INCREASED my chances of having a seizure (the logic being that it lowers the intensity and chance of lasting harm). I stepped into an art installation which was kind of a closet with the inner walls covered with family photos, lit by a strobelight...bad idea. Turns out I can handle strobe lights just fine...as long as I'm NOT taking Dilantin.
Thaspian	Date: August 10, 2008 @ 3:52 AM absolutely not
GeneHilbert	Date: August 10, 2008 @ 4:47 AM I don't think so..... Even if you tried and succeeded. There is probably market potential..... I had friend who's trigger consisted of all things lilacs.
leedsquietman	Date: August 10, 2008 @ 9:39 AM SImon, it's totally OK - BUT - put a clear WARNING that the video may contain images or scenes with strobing or fast moving / flickering images which could cause discomfort to those prone to seizures, just to cover yourself. Preferably as a disclaimer prior to the video being shown !
rhthesinner	Date: August 10, 2008 @ 10:58 AM The advice above is sound indeed. I deal with seizures every day at work and thought I'd point out that strobe/lighting effects cause a very small percentage of seizures. It's just a very well known one because the mediums in which they occur are experienced by a lot of us on a day to day basis.
tsand20175	Date: August 10, 2008 @ 11:15 AM It's only morally wrong IF that was your intent in the first place.....sense that is NOT your intent, it is not wrong.
celtaidd	Date: August 10, 2008 @ 12:10 PM I agree with Tim. Though, if you feel guilty that the video "might" induce any epileptic fits, a warning notice may be in order. Possibly, if a person is serceptible(?) to fits, they might already be wary of music videos?
zedsalt	Date: August 11, 2008 @ 3:28 AM There are instructions/warnings on the top of pop cans that tell us to pull the tab forward, and then...lest anyone stab themselves in the nostril with the upright tab...inform us that we also need to push the tab back before drinking. In addition to avoiding legal culpability, I'm sure what Gene said would prove true- there are plenty of people who would watch just to see what the warning's all about.
Fraser	Date: August 11, 2008 @ 8:40 AM My friend had some seizures. He had lots to drink, and was convulsing. Come to think of it... He wasn't having seizures...
SimonWaldram	Date: August 11, 2008 @ 10:35 AM Thanks for the advice everyone. I hope this doesn't sound pompus, but I was asking because I make music to help people, not hurt them, so I really appreciate getting some other perspectives on this. I think I'm going to go for it - with a clear warning at the beginning of course. I'll report back here sometime as to how it's panned out.
Snoogans775	Date: August 13, 2008 @ 8:21 AM well, it should be worth it regardless of seizure worry, because those feedback effects are infinitely cool.
shadowself	Date: August 15, 2008 @ 11:29 AM It's as morally wrong as it is to bring a peanut butter sandwich to school.
evansorchid	Date: August 15, 2008 @ 12:04 PM On 15th Aug 2008, shadowself said: It's as morally wrong as it is to bring a peanut butter sandwich to school. It depends on what you plan to do with it.
zedsalt	Date: August 16, 2008 @ 3:12 AM Peanut butter sandwiches don't kill people; people kill people.
tsand20175	Date: August 16, 2008 @ 12:29 PM Is it morally wrong to poop on bread and pass it off as peanut butter?
zedsalt	Date: August 17, 2008 @ 3:15 AM Immoral AND hilarious.
BlackMage	Date: August 18, 2008 @ 7:03 AM Making them? No. Tying epileptic people to chairs, forcing their eyes open and making them watch it? Maybe.