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Something I've noticed when speaking in public and looking around at the audience (as one should to be a good public speaker) is that the majority of facial exp

Something I've noticed when speaking in public and looking around at the audience (as one should to be a good public speaker) is that the majority of facial expressions will register as skeptical and unfriendly to my eyes. I found this pretty alarming and discouraging at first, but I gradually realized that for the most part, I was just interpreting looks of concentration to be negative when they were actually neutral at worst. Even knowing this, it can be hard to ignore. I was recently giving a talk, and a large guy in the front row seemed to be outright glaring at me the whole time. His look seemed to clearly communicate "WTF is this idiot talking about?" I tried to ignore him, but it definitely left me a bit flustered. When the talk ended, that guy was the first one to come forward and tell me how much he had enjoyed it.

Spooky23 9y ago
Focus on the foreheads. When you’re nervous, your brain is looking for threats.
- maxxxxx 9y ago
  Go to Toastmasters and get used to it. Worked like a charm for me.
  - codetrotter 9y ago
    While we are on the subject of speaking, does anyone know of any free or cheap online voice acting courses they would recommend? I intend to start a stream but I am dissatisfied with my voice. Sound, expression, pronunciation. All bad. Terrible.
    - harlanji 9y ago
      Sounds harsh. I started a stream with a good mic and HD cam and within weeks my mannerisms were better. I’m also realizing a verbal problem I’ve always had and nobody has confronted, even dentists, despite the obvious issues (dentists, doctors, phys trainers to a degree, would have all noticed). I am a good researcher and honest with hard truths, and that’s led to some interesting oral exercises and progress, actually recorded a first draft last night talking about oral collapse effects. I went with the Blue Yeti... can’t speak highly enough... my first mic, so ymmv vs. other condensers, but the sensitivity of the device is paranoia inducing... high gain and I can hear myself breathing loudly across my apartment. GL with pro help, my $0.02 is that self feedback can probably carry you till you need specific feedback.
maxxxxx 9y ago
" Something I've noticed when speaking in public and looking around at the audience (as one should to be a good public speaker) is that the majority of facial expressions will register as skeptical and unfriendly to my eyes." That was one of the best things I learned in Toastmasters. Most audience members looked bored or unfriendly to me. Once I realized that this is just normal I got much more relaxed while speaking and have a much better awareness of the mood of a room.

Spooky23 9y ago

Focus on the foreheads. When you’re nervous, your brain is looking for threats.

maxxxxx 9y ago
Go to Toastmasters and get used to it. Worked like a charm for me.
- codetrotter 9y ago
  While we are on the subject of speaking, does anyone know of any free or cheap online voice acting courses they would recommend? I intend to start a stream but I am dissatisfied with my voice. Sound, expression, pronunciation. All bad. Terrible.
  - harlanji 9y ago
    Sounds harsh. I started a stream with a good mic and HD cam and within weeks my mannerisms were better. I’m also realizing a verbal problem I’ve always had and nobody has confronted, even dentists, despite the obvious issues (dentists, doctors, phys trainers to a degree, would have all noticed). I am a good researcher and honest with hard truths, and that’s led to some interesting oral exercises and progress, actually recorded a first draft last night talking about oral collapse effects. I went with the Blue Yeti... can’t speak highly enough... my first mic, so ymmv vs. other condensers, but the sensitivity of the device is paranoia inducing... high gain and I can hear myself breathing loudly across my apartment. GL with pro help, my $0.02 is that self feedback can probably carry you till you need specific feedback.

maxxxxx 9y ago

" Something I've noticed when speaking in public and looking around at the audience (as one should to be a good public speaker) is that the majority of facial expressions will register as skeptical and unfriendly to my eyes." That was one of the best things I learned in Toastmasters. Most audience members looked bored or unfriendly to me. Once I realized that this is just normal I got much more relaxed while speaking and have a much better awareness of the mood of a room.