Zoom Fatigue
Pandemics and other emergencies usually changes the trajectories on how issues are held and activities are done. With the recent outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, several activities such as learning and business operations, including meetings, have temporarily been halted, forcing the various stakeholders to meet thanks to technological advancements in recent years virtually. People are resorting to different social platforms to keep in touch and continue with their activities. Such platforms or meetings through zoom are seen to be bringing their share of challenges, especially to most individuals who are so used to social interactions more physically than virtually (Strengers, 599). Thus, such issues cause various difficulties, such as tiredness, disorientation, misinterpretation of communication, and other barriers to communication. However, despite the challenges, there are also merits associated with such virtual activities. The essay discusses the challenges and possible benefits of virtual connections in conducting transactions and interactions.
People are having various challenges as they get to have virtual meetings. Institutions have resorted to online classes while corporates are forced to conduct online meetings to enable the continuity in essential activities to keep the organization at bay. However, the virtual activities are attracting negativity, especially with individuals getting fatigued while conducting them. Also, there is limited memory to online meetings, as there are less non-verbal cues that complement the verbal ones. The individual is, therefore, only left to pay keen attention to verbal communication, which puts too much pressure on the brain (Strengers, 597). According to Julia Sklar, the brain becomes overwhelmed while continually trying to look for the non-verbal cues of communication to memorize the ideas or the message being communicated in the process of the meeting.
With the virtual meetings, it is also hard to tell about the audience as one is likely to misinterpret them and misunderstand them due to the limiting social cues. Social cues passes information regarding an audience and how they feel regarding the meeting, and this is usually evident while holding physical interaction. However, an online meeting through the various platforms is making it difficult to know if an audience is concentrating, tired, is engaged to the meeting, or even bored. Such challenges may not be easily realized by the moderator who would continue with the meeting without knowing the audience’s needs, leading to ineffective communications. Further, the participants may be non-active due to some restrictions associated with the live stream meeting (Lockwood and Gail, 330). For instance, only two speakers are allowed to talk at a time, making the session less interactive and boring. In the article Zoom fatigue, Julia Sklar explains that video chats are less collaborative as there is more listening to one speaker at a time, making it difficult for moderators to recognize how other participants are inactive.
Despite the challenges, other merits are associated with virtual meetings as the process of communication continues. Individuals can reconnect quickly and always stay in touch through the various video chats and thus maintenance of relationships. In addition, Sklar states that the connection can generate and create some sense of togetherness during tough situations like the case of the pandemic. Virtual communication should also be seen as an aid in connecting people in remote areas and remotely, thus enabling work completion even though it may be mentally exhausting.
In conclusion, the modern technology has enabled people to connect easily via various platforms and live streams. However, the developments have led to people experiencing multiple challenges in communications, as some point out mental exhaustion and difficulty in understanding the audience. Despite the challenges, there are some positives seen with virtual interactions such as the ability to connect, foster bonds, and maintain long-distance relationships hence being effective in times of need.
Work Cited
Lockwood, Jane, and Gail Forey. “Discursive control and power in virtual meetings.” Discourse & Communication 10.4 (2016): 323-340.
Strengers, Yolande. “Meeting in the global workplace: Air travel, telepresence and the body.” Mobilities 10, no. 4 (2015): 592-608.