Hide self-view

What would happen if, when you walked into your classroom, office, boardroom, yoga class, or any other group environment, and in front of each of you was a big mirror. What would happen?

That’s right. Everyone would be looking at themselves.

Well, this is what Zoom is like. Everyone is looking at themselves in their screen. How awkward. I mean, how can you not? (Sorry, I’m taking 7 online classes right now in seminary, so this is why Zoom is such a big deal for me these days).

This is why the ‘hide self view’ setting is so great (just click on the three dots in your photo box and select ‘hide self view’). Sure, make sure your head fits in the frame of the screen first. But then, take that big digital mirror in front of you down.

Come to think of it, we’d be better humans if we could turn the inner “self view” off. During most of my day, I’m most definitely focused entirely on myself. What if I could turn my self-obsession off and turn my view outwards towards my life and those in it instead?

The possibilities are endless.

P.S. And also, the chat feature on Zoom is a horrible idea, especially in a learning environment. If we were in class together, we couldn’t just carry on an entire side conversation during class, right? It also wouldn’t be appropriate for me to just start teaching the class parallel to the professor. That would be disruptive, no? (Yep… I’m that guy. The rabidly studious 40-something-year-old in class. Kids these days… I swear.)

This post was published first in The Jonasletter. To follow my essayettes in your handy dandy email inbox as soon as they’re published, click here.