Digital Culture
Viral Zoom Mishap Gives America A Much-Needed Smile
Recently, the internet was graced with one of the funniest Zoom mishaps to date.
Zoom. We all use it! Whether it be for your job, your school, or chatting with your family, the platform has revolutionized how we communicate amidst a global pandemic. Like all our other ways of communication, Zoom isn’t perfect. In this instance, however, the failures are hilarious.
Rod Ponton, an attorney from West Texas. Like all of us at some point, Ponton was subject to a technical malfunction, one that took the form of a small cat.
Ponton showed up to his Zoom hearing in what was supposed to be a typical court case, only to find that his video camera wasn’t projecting the man he looked at in the mirror. Instead, the honorable Judge Roy B. Furgeson, and the rest of those within the 394th district zoom, were greeted by a talking cat.
Using his secretary’s computer, Ponton’s video was set to a Zoom filter, allowing the user to appear as a cat. Naturally, this contrasted nicely with the court’s setting, one which had been ready to put someone on trial for leaving the country with illegal contraband.
The funniest part was the time it took for the issue to be resolved. As Judge Ferguson tried to walk him through the process of removing the filter, Ponton was busy trying to clarify and adapt to the situation he’d been put in.
In fact, he was prepared to continue with the case in his feline form, noting, “I’m prepared to go forward with it. I’m here live. I’m not a cat,” creating the quote that’s given millions laughter over the past couple days.
Now coined the “catattorney” or “the cat lawyer,” the clip (posted by Ferguson over Twitter) has amassed millions of views, likes, and shares and given Ponton a nickname that he’ll probably deal with for the rest of his life. The original YouTube video can be found here.
Kitten Zoom Filter Mishap (via 394th District Court of Texas – Live Stream)
Ferguson followed his Tweet with this message:
“IMPORTANT ZOOM TIP: If a child used your computer, before you join a virtual hearing check the Zoom Video Options to be sure filters are off. This kitten just made a formal announcement on a case in the 394th (sound on). #lawtwitter #OhNo.”
Amidst all the views, Ferguson and Ponton are extremely joyful about the laughter that’s been created, and it’s safe to say that we all needed a good smile during this time.