Google Wave = Thoughtless Communication?
Thursday, 26 November 2009
I’m a big fan of the slow food movement, which is rapidly approaching its 20th anniversary. Years ago, when I first read about the Terra Madre (the meeting of food producers in Italy), I was both intrigued and inspired by the commitment shown to taking care over where the food we eat comes from; how it is produced, how it is prepared and how it is consumed.
Food is of great personal interest to me, as is language, and watching the launch presentation for Google Wave recently got me thinking about how easily debased language can become, and what great value there is in taking care with its use, its preparation and its consumption.
The part of the presentation that triggered these thoughts was a little bit - that caused a ripple of spontaneous applause - about what happens when two (or more) people are involved in a Google Wave “conversation” at the same time. Up to this point, I had been interpreting what I was seeing as a slightly enhanced version of Skype, but the part of the demonstration that got the applause was that, with Wave, you don’t need to wait whilst someone is typing an instant message - you see them, live, actually typing it, character by character. The exciting sales line associated with this was that, instead of waiting for a reply, “you can start formulating your own reply before [X] is done typing hers”.
Now, I’m not (too much of) a technophobe, or (too) resistant to developments in styles and formats of communication - indeed, I actually get quite excited about the use of these new formats, and what they do to our understanding and knowledge. But one thing that does cause worry is the focus on speed rather than quality - there may be times where the pleasure of speed surpasses the effect of the drop in quality, but, as with food, the creeping effect of convenience can become irresistible, and the longer term effects unnoticed until it is (nearly) too late.
Part of my pleasure in conversation is the opportunity to think. The opportunity to mentally chew a new idea or perspective, to absorb the flavours and nutrients, and begin the process of integrating them into my own. I’ll never forget, for example, a conversation I had with an old friend in a Cambridgeshire pub in 1998 - we hadn’t seen each other for a few years, and I’d forgotten just how good a really good conversation can be, when all parties are listening, considering, and integrating new ideas before responding to them.
The principles of Socratic dialogue (answering with questions, seeking to understand what has been said and the implications of it, the recognition of underlying assumptions, and a genuine search for truth) require that conversations, at times, emphasise quality over speed, and I’d hate for a drive for speed and immediacy to drown out the beauty of slow, careful, considered and thoughtful communication.
I’m excited about Google Wave - it appeals to the rather nerdy side of me. I love experimenting with new technologies, new ways of doing things, and new ways of communicating. However, I want to embrace these whilst retaining respect and love for the old ways - the new is an addition to, not a replacement of, the old.
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In a later blog, I’m planning to consider the impact of the increasing speed and immediacy of communication on different people. For example, am I particularly concerned about this because my Myers Briggs reports show a strongly defined preference for introversion? How would people with preferences for extraversion and introversion differ in their view of these new communication methodologies?
Your thoughts, as always, welcome.
Please leave your thoughts and comments here
There are 12 comments
– snape
December 02, 2009 - 16:36
Subject: waving!
What happened to good old fashioned "real" conversation?
December 02, 2009 - 16:03
Subject:
I agree with Fran. I believe that Google Wave is a perfect tool for all types of teams to work together. The Extraverts can interact immediately and feed off of the instant responses and the Introverts can read, absorb, reflect, then respond. I personally feel that with the changes in technology, we're leveling the playing field for Extraverts and Introverts. We can each respond at our own pace depending on our preference for absorbing energy.
I think a more valid question might be how technology affects a Sensor's and iNtuitor's preferences.
December 02, 2009 - 10:09
Subject:
That's a great question Simon. Appropriateness come to mind; I think that modern communications is very pragmatic; very 'now'. It seems that emergent technology of the medium is pushing how we communicate the message.
AFTER DUE REFLECTION {irony} :-) lol raotflmao OMG yadda yadda {/irony} I am guessing that complementary soft skills would also be required with any app such as this to be used to best advantage for any group/org.
Like any tool, there will be usage and abusage ...won't there?
See you on the message boards...
December 02, 2009 - 10:06
Subject:
Wave certainly looks promising and I look forward to it being released. I am sure that it will take on.
My only quibble at this point, is that I think it is browser based only. I think if they release an alternative standalone app version (like MSN) then they will do very well. I am sure also that MSN will catch on and retro fit many of the features of Wave so that they don't lose market share...
Quality can be derived in many ways, I think speed is a great asset, content quality is in our hands not those of Google.
December 02, 2009 - 10:05
Subject:
Trevor thank you for making me laugh out loud this morning. I love the idea of your "how to be a Richard using communication software!!"
I think that generally most of us here agreee that communication tools are great when used appropriately and awful when not. We are all early adopters of new technology so it will be interesting to see how this all pans out in the longer (in today's age shorter) term.
Again thanks to Simon for thought provoking ideas.
December 02, 2009 - 10:04
Subject:
Ah, the glory of communication.
I remember when IM was 'the next big thing' and managers rebelled against it purely because of the immediacy of it and the chance that 'thoughtless communication' would lead to just that, thoughtless communication.
I see collaborative software as a good thing, generally speaking, but having proprietary products means the collaboration comes at a price. An open format, generally available product would enable collaboration to cover all levels, from corporate to social. This may inevitably lead to some confusion and tears (tearing your company a new one in a public place is so not clever) but it all, as usual, depends on how people use it. I'm all in favour of a course on 'how not to be a Richard using communications software'!
November 30, 2009 - 09:17
Subject:
Hi Simon
Like you, I see Wave as an addition to the communications channels available rather than an "instead of." I think it may also have a place in training which I find quite an exciting prospect. As Wave is still in its infancy (and not all functionality is working yet) it's early days to be able to pass real judgement, but I think this could be really good....
Let's hope, eh?
Thanks again for another great article.
November 30, 2009 - 09:20
Subject:
Hi Simon:
Great article, thanks.
I agree with both Shelley and Paula - for different reasons!
I do think that Wave will find it's natural place from a social sense - it's got to have time to develop like Twitter has (and people are already suggesting Twitter is over!)
If it does develop from it's infancy into a robust product I think it will have a place in training, and like Paula says that IS an exciting prospect.
From a personal perspective I am really enjoing having the new Microsoft Office 2010 Connector so I can manage everything in one place - it's saving me time already (which in my world is a really good thing)
Finally - for my two pence worth (in old money of course) thoughtless communication does annoy me - people really should remember that "manners cost nothing" ... maybe we should run a course on that?
Regards
Alex
– Harrogate
November 28, 2009 - 12:50
Subject: Excited by the collaboration potential
Don't agree with you here Simon. Yes, I am a technophile, but also a big fan of debate, discussion and collaboration.
Wave has massive potential for collaboration. Imagine bringing together great minds to create drafts of documents or published materials together. Then add to that the potential that those people don't even have to speak the same language, taking advantage of the translation robot. You don't even have to be in the same room. Nor, eventually will you necessarily only have to use just text - Google's Voice product will change all that.
Far from being speed over quality, the outcome will be quality collaborated outputs first time, or at least getting closer to quality outputs first time. I'm looking forward to the world of seemingly endless review, re-review and amendments being one of the past.
November 26, 2009 - 21:17
Subject:
Hi Simon
What an interesting post. It makes me think of what would happen if you just received a really silly/stupid/rude/abusive/annoying etc.....message. At least with Email there is time to read a communication through before hitting the send button!!
I can see some benefits in the social sense and it will be interesting to see how this develops over time.
Thanks for a thought provoking article.
Shelley
www.thetrainingsurgery.co.uk
November 26, 2009 - 21:16
Subject:
Google Wave has many exciting features. Along with synchronous communication, users can also go back into a message and post to a comment made earlier in the discussion. This means that introverts can still take time to reflect and add comments, but now it will be in context. A nice feature for introverts!
– India
November 26, 2009 - 12:21
Subject: Amazing!!
I must say I am really amazed knowing the features of the Google wave. Seems like there is a buzz that Google wave invites are scarce! Boy! If you can type and the other person can see it character by character before even he hits send, Google wave is like you can judge ones emotions and you just cant fake it.
Amazing thought.. Google Labs is actually something!
Am inspired to write my own blog on this. Will read up in detail and write. Thanks for this great blog.
Regards
Subhendu
Personal Blog#1: shubhmindfire.wordpress.com />
Personal Blog#2: nicksecondlife.wordpress.com />
Company website: www.mindfiresolutions.com
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