My TakeTo film, or not to film ... that is today’s question

A famous YouTuber and influential commentator was shot in Taiwan, that’s newsworthy enough. But that Taiwanese Chen Chih-han decided to live-stream the incident before medics arrived as he laid on the ground bleeding and in great pain has made him mega-viral online.

The whole incident captures something quintessential about the age we live in, that is, an age of ubiquitous social media and smartphone cameras. I don’t know whether to applaud his bravery or be alarmed by it?

The mixed martial arts expert, social media influencer and owner of a gym chain called Genghis Khan Fitness Club, was shot in the arm and leg by an assailant outside one of his venues in the early hours of Friday. He is expected to make a full recovery.

Despite the pain he was in, he insisted the friends and gym workers who were with him live-stream what was happening on Facebook where he has more than 1.3 million followers. He has almost 1 million subscribers on YouTube.

The clip has attracted more than 2.1 million views. In it, he looked directly into the camera to address his fans and family. “If I die from this,” he said while smoking a cigarette with his uninjured hand, “I hope everyone can carry on my spirit. Take care of my wife and kids.” He also mentioned his mother, who raised him as a single mum after his father’s early death.

Perhaps this is perfectly understandable. When people obsessively document what they eat for breakfast on Instagram, it would be a sin not to capture the aftermath of a shooting, even if, or especially if you are the victim.