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We skim conversations at parties. I think we can technologically enable this cognitive faculty.

• Fnoord 10y ago
  Just because we do it in one particular case does not mean we are good at it, or that it is a better and viable way of operating. I, for one, am very bad at it at parties and all those different conversations drive me insane. Well OK, not literally insane, but they make me feel bad. Because I cannot deal with those multiple audio streams. I get distracted by the noise (leading to unable to follow), and very from the environment nervous. I don't think its better either, and I believe this is why we see audio as addition to written text (it is called 'podcast' because of Apple marketing w/iPod). In other words, the text is read and from there it is being decided if we follow up with more text, audio, or video. Video is an exception because the eyes are used there as well. However it is important to recognise audio-only use cases. Audio only feedback may work in some situations e.g. during sports/fitness, or driving a car (radio). I haven't been able to come up with additional examples though.