Interesting point LemonHead (I love your nick name 😊).
You're absolutely correct in your observation that our ability to empathize with others people diminishes when we engage online, often hiding behind the protective veil of anonymity. This anonymity can sometimes lead us to exhibit darker aspects of our personality that we might not express in our day-to-day lives.
However, the situation changes when we consider video meetings, such as Zoom. In these instances, we are not hidden behind that same veil of anonymity. We can see each other, and everyone present is aware of this visibility. This creates a unique dynamic, one that's not exactly intimate but brings us physically closer, as we're essentially looking into each other's eyes.
Drawing from my own experiences, I've taken several courses during the COVID-19 pandemic via Zoom. During these sessions, there's a distinct feeling that everyone is observing you throughout the entire class—how you speak, how you present yourself. It's as though you're on display. In my experience, Zoom tends to feel less intimate compared to a traditional in-person classroom setting. However, it's interesting to note that during a Zoom session, you can almost imagine the person who's speaking as if they were seated across the table from you, much like you're sharing a meal in a restaurant together.
So, what I'm trying to convey is that the dynamics of Zoom meetings are different from typical internet interactions. While there's a certain level of detachment on the internet, Zoom meetings can create a sense of proximity that is more akin to face-to-face despite being in a virtual space. It's physically more than intimate but still it's hard to laugh at someone if you know he see you.
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