Images arrive and go around in a circular buffer. I think it is simpler for most people to view than having to spawn mpeg_play or the like (e.g. there are still a large number of users who don't have mpeg_play installed). Furthermore, this layout, much like a comic book, is easier to view when the frame rate is reduced to the point where an mpeg sequence would appear too unsteady, if viewed within a single window, as a movie. Reduction of frame rate, in turn, allows the viewer to experience the last 10 minutes, or the last hour, or the last day, etc., of my life, and still have a pretty good idea of what happened during that time period.
Look out for other interesting events to appear from time to time.