[thread] We’ve heard a lot about the downsides of so much of our professional lives moving to video platforms. But I think that for some people there have also been real advantages.
EG: I’m physically small. I am not used to taking up the same space as everyone else. It’s great!
EG: I’m physically small. I am not used to taking up the same space as everyone else. It’s great!
Women and other AFAB people are used to monitoring our physical presence. If you’re petite like me, you get spoken over/patronised/dismissed. But if you’re taller/ heavier, you get to worry about being ‘intimidating’ or taking up more space than women are allowed to occupy.
I’m also neuroatypical and sometimes have a problem working out whose face I should be looking at/managing eye contact. On zoom? That’s not a problem. You can just look at the screen- and you can see everyone at once! >
And that’s not even the start of how videoconferencing can help (some) people with disabilities- especially if your mobility is usually limited. It feels more inclusive when everyone’s just a face and a voice and a hastily-arranged backdrop/comedy zoom background.
(This is not a big coming-out post, especially as I don’t have an official diagnosis beyond ADHD, but I feel like fellow neuroatypical people recognise brainkin)
another big leveller is the fact that it’s more or less impossible to be entirely professional on a videoconference. Most meetings will at some point feature a random child/pet/roommate/delivery. Even your creative heroes turn out to live in normal houses with wonky bookshelves.
There’s a levelling distance- but the mere fact of the platform makes it obvious that everyone is just a person, muddling along with their lives and doing their best. I really like that.
