I do wonder whether video calls have become the next reading, television or video games - this horror that will destroy people's brains. It all feels rather reactionary. Surely different forms of communication work for different people in different circumstances. We can't make these wide pronouncements.
Video chats short-circuit a brain function essential for trust?
21–30 of 99 posts
Re: Video chats short-circuit a brain function essential for trust?
#22It's funny that the original title for this article on CBC was actually "Zoom chats short circuit a brain function essential for trust: Don Pittis | CBC News" and the article only mentioned Zoom. :) They changed the title and edited I guess after people pointed out that the research itself was not Zoom specific. I'm amazed how Zoom has become synonomous with "video conferencing" when there are so many other viable so…
I could see Zoom ending up like Kleenex or Jet Ski or Crock-Pot or Chapstick, where the brand name becomes the word for the thing itself. Edit because I googled it for more examples and couldn't help myself: Tupperware, Band-Aids, Post-It, Slip n Slide, Xerox, Velcro, Weed Eater, Scotch Tape, Q-Tips, Rollerblades, Jacuzzi, Bubble Wrap.....
A few days ago this gem appeared in my inbox: "Hey folks, we had trouble setting up the Cisco zoom this meeting so we're switching to a Google zoom, here's the link"
Re: Video chats short-circuit a brain function essential for trust?
#23There's little doubt that face-to-face communication is more 'human' than video chat, and better for building rapport and intimacy.
But where is the evidence that video-only (or audio, or text) is bad for the workplace? It could actually be a 'leveler', and in fact better, if it reduces cliques, collusion, physical intimidation, etc, and therefore fosters more open and widespread collaboration.
Re: Video chats short-circuit a brain function essential for trust?
#24I suspect a lot of it is quality and UI/UX woes.
In a default video app you struggle to see everyone, only one speaker can be heard clearly and usually there's audio/video sync issues. Add a sprinkle of bad hardware and suddenly it's more like talking to a robot over dialup than any semblance of a conversation.
On the other hand, have the participants use good hardware, high quality connections and fix the audio issues and the problems greatly get reduced.
Anecdotally, comparing my work meetings to my video-chat social calls seems to reinforce this. Work folks typically use just their laptop and have questionable wireless, and we use Google Meet which seems to get worse with every update especially on the audio front. Meanwhile the social group is primarily streamers with high end cameras and microphones and better networking, which when combined with Discords significantly improved audio muxing dramatically improves call quality and reduces "Zoom fatigue".
Re: Video chats short-circuit a brain function essential for trust?
#25I am a surgeon, hospitals are seizing the online video call as a new miracle cost saver. Whilst some consultations are OK for routine encounters eg organising tests, when it comes to discussing surgery most patients value seeing the surgeon.
I agree with this. If I needed a surgeon, I most certainly would not be using video as I do not have CT/X-ray/Ultrasound at home. I would love to have my own ultrasound. I predict some day there will be a low cost portable unit that allows people to upload ultrasound images in a standard format. Same goes for epigentic methylation. Today the equipment takes up half a room.
I have been getting voice mails daily from my doctors office to do a zoom call for a routine checkup. They appear desperate for business.
Re: Video chats short-circuit a brain function essential for trust?
#26I wonder what the effect might be if you crop off a 40% of a person's face vertically, such that you are only seeing one eye and a bit more than half their nose and mouth.
Re: Video chats short-circuit a brain function essential for trust?
#27It's funny that the original title for this article on CBC was actually "Zoom chats short circuit a brain function essential for trust: Don Pittis | CBC News" and the article only mentioned Zoom. :) They changed the title and edited I guess after people pointed out that the research itself was not Zoom specific. I'm amazed how Zoom has become synonomous with "video conferencing" when there are so many other viable so…
What's hilarious is that in Corporate/"Enterprise" world, "Webex" has been the verb for many years instead.
No matter the tool, we need to "Setup the webex"... :O
Re: Video chats short-circuit a brain function essential for trust?
#28My bet is a big part of the issue is webcams not being embedded in the screens. It's literally impossible to have eye contact because either you are looking at the webcam and not seeing other people, or you are looking at your screen. Many animals are very good at recognizing direct vs indirect eye contact and so I would assume the same is true for humans too.
Re: Video chats short-circuit a brain function essential for trust?
#29Earlier quoted context omitted.
I could see Zoom ending up like Kleenex or Jet Ski or Crock-Pot or Chapstick, where the brand name becomes the word for the thing itself. Edit because I googled it for more examples and couldn't help myself: Tupperware, Band-Aids, Post-It, Slip n Slide, Xerox, Velcro, Weed Eater, Scotch Tape, Q-Tips, Rollerblades, Jacuzzi, Bubble Wrap.....
A few days ago this gem appeared in my inbox: "Hey folks, we had trouble setting up the Cisco zoom this meeting so we're switching to a Google zoom, here's the link"
Have they tried googling the issue via Bing?
Re: Video chats short-circuit a brain function essential for trust?
#30I don't think this is a surprise for many people who have been working with people in different offices for a while. I don't have any hard evidence but from my experience you can work with people in other offices for months, often getting the feeling that formality and lack of trust was getting in the way. But then I burn a ton of fossil fuels to fly over and spend a couple of days with them in person and the discuss…
My experience is that after you have met someone once (for more than a few minutes) then video calls work a lot better than with people you have never met. I guess you develop some degree of trust (and a stronger mental model) during a meeting that persists afterwards.
> you develop some degree of trust (and a stronger mental model)
For me, the former flows from the latter. When I meet in person, there is eventually a moment when I get a click feeling. Following that, a person's behavior becomes more predictable. Or at the very least explainable. That leads to comfort, which is a commercial substitute for trust.
That click take me a long time reach on the phone. For whatever reason, it has never happened over video chat.