Why is this?
I brought this question up in a meeting at work the other day, where there are all KINDS of smart people who have PhDs in these kinds of things. One cognitive scientist-type I work with said that visual cues play more of a part in our auditory conversations than we think. For example, while I could see Warren coming into the room to ask about his keys, Gail couldn't. She didn't pause in her part of the conversation and I had no way to signal her with eyes, a head-turn, or anything, that I need a half-second to divide my attention.
Then I thought about instant messaging, where again, we don't see one another. There are two things that immediately come to mind that have tremendously helped to make instant messaging more like talking:
- The emoticons. As we know, a picture is worth a thousand words. And there are so many to choose from now - it's great to have a wink, a smile, or a sad face to express instantly what might not be able to be put in words. Call this a 'virtual visual cue' that you can send WITHOUT feeling like you're interrupting someone who's chatting.
- The message on the status screen that the other person is writing. Perhaps you're in a multi-person chat and you're writing something. Half-way through, you see that another person is writing. That's a visual cue that perhaps someone wants to add something, has a question, or needs a clarification. No one has 'said' anything but you can see that you might need to pause.
I've enjoyed reading your blog. I've got your blog in my RSS feeds so I'll be reading your updates as they come.
ReplyDeleteYou are my first blog commenter! THANKS!! I was wondering if "anyone was out there."
ReplyDeleteGo Laurie! ....see.... I told you so! Hope you're enjoying skiing.
ReplyDeleteSo,
ReplyDeleteAre you implying that blind people, who never pick up visual clues, are less likely to be able to handle these multi-tasking conversations - in-person conversations? Mmmm... Interesting research area. Is it just the visual clue, or is there something that works in conjunction with the visual? With the phone conversation - the 3rd party (Warren) isn't heard by the 2nd party, thus never gets the clue.
Ever look into the research done at Xerox Parc - esp in CoLab - (collaborative lab)? Some very interesting stuff done there - too bad it's no longer in operation.
Talk to ya!
..clark hodge
Meant to say that I don't think it's just the visual - that helps, Other clues exist, like a voice turning the other way, that we (and the blind) pick up on - without 'seeing' the action. All very complicated, all very interesting.
ReplyDelete