[LINK] Aussie 'Video Lifelines'

[Jan Whitaker]

At 10:03 PM 25/03/2007, stephen at melbpc.org.au wrote:
>A Lifeline service with both phone or net-video seems
>inevitable to me. Why not sooner rather than later? Lives are at stake.

Just a tad hyperbolic, don't you think? One of the reasons non-visual 
systems like phone and text work in these situations is because of 
the anonymity factor. It's the 'secular confessional'. So what if the 
'professional' is advantaged by the visual cues? The important person 
in the exchange is the person reaching out for help. Many of whome 
are already weak in social exchange. To add a visual element on top 
of it is less than helpful.

any real psychologists on here? My opinion is based on observing the 
increased amount of revelation that happens in text only conferences 
and the lack of sharing even in mundane communication when a tv 
camera is added in videoconferencing. People become self-conscious. 
Add a vulnerable self-concept and the personal sharing declines further.

Jan


Jan Whitaker
JLWhitaker Associates, Melbourne Victoria
jwhit at janwhitaker.com
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