Virtual Versus In-Person
A tale of two meetings
To hear the related 5-minute audio file that I uploaded today as my Morning Journal flash briefing for Alexa devices, please click on the play button:
Comparing Two Worlds
This morning I attended an in-person meeting in a church library in Kennebunk. Most of the time I do these meetings by Zoom.
Which is better? Here are some thoughts:
In person is great for the informal conversations before and after the meeting. You linger as you leave the library, and you might talk with someone on the way to your car. The moment a virtual meeting ends the participants click out like disappearing soap bubbles.
Being physically in the same space connects people in a way not possible among squares on the Zoom gallery.
In person, when one of us speaks everyone listens with fewer distractions. No checking email on your phone or texting your grandson.
Virtual is great for convenience. I spent 45 minutes driving to and from the meeting this morning.
Virtual enables me to have the same home group whether I am in Florida, Maine, or France.
There is a more even mix of men and women at virtual meetings compared with in person. Does that have anything to do with the male gaze?
Both types of meetings have their benefits and drawbacks.
I love the Kennebunk meeting and plan to attend it as often as possible before we drive to Sanibel in late October.
One advantage is the chance to listen to great podcasts like John Heilmann’s “Impolitic” on the Puck network. Click here for his recent brilliant conversation with Pete Buttigieg.
Which kind of meeting do you prefer?
Nice! Appreciate link to Podcast. Fan of Mayor Pete. And don't know that Podcast.