This, That and the other thingamig.
Nov. 26th, 2022 10:12 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
shadowkat1. Stop Making Employees Turn on their Cameras at Work.
"One woman who works at a New York-based nonprofit told CNN Business she received an HR complaint in August for the first time in her career because she kept her camera off during virtual work meetings. Shortly after, she said she received another HR complaint for the same reason.
New York's Excelsior Pass app lets people download proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test.
“I was on a call with about 15 employees and [the speaker] said everyone should have their camera on because it’s company policy and part of our culture now,” said the woman, who asked to remain anonymous for fear of company retaliation. She said she has long disliked being in front of a camera, whether it’s for pictures or videos, and the meetings only added to that discomfort. “I told them being on camera causes me anxiety and didn’t turn it on. I eventually got a doctor’s note.” [I am doing the same thing.]
Although she is still required to keep her camera on, she now sits mostly out of frame with only her shoulder showing – something her company said is acceptable. But she feels this makes things even more awkward. She is currently looking for a new job.
She’s not alone in wrestling with the new normal of constant video calls. In interviews with CNN Business, several workers described how leaving the camera on in meetings made it harder to focus on their work, sparked feelings of frustration about having to stay in one place for long periods of time, and created some discomfort about broadcasting their living situations to others. Yet workers can also feel pressure to leave the camera on, whether it’s because of an explicit request from the company to do so, or because of the perception – refuted by one recent study – that they’re less productive and engaged if they have it off.
Lydia Mack, a Los Angeles-based copywriter for brands and startups, said she keeps her webcam off during calls with clients and co-workers because she can concentrate better that way. But she’s found there are downsides to this approach, too. “If it’s a team meeting and I’m the only one with my camera off for an extended period of time, it can also be a distraction [for others] and leave them wondering if I’m even at my computer, heard the conversation in its entirety, and so on.”
***
Allison Gabriel, a professor at the University of Arizona, co-authored a study that suggested appearing on camera may contribute to the feeling of Zoom fatigue. The study also found more women experience webcam fatigue.
“Women tend to have higher self-presentation costs than men and are likely to feel heightened pressure to demonstrate competence by appearing extra vigilant on camera,” Gabriel said. “Additionally, as women took on disproportionate childcare demands compared to men during the pandemic, they are more likely to have kids in the background, which could unfortunately call into question their ability to be committed to their work and their ability to focus. We also tend to hold women to higher standards for physical appearance. Being on camera can exacerbate all of these things.”
Newer employees also feel greater pressure to demonstrate competence and engagement because they feel the need to prove they deserve to be there, Gabriel said.
Contrary to the common assumption that someone with their webcam turned off may be distracted, multitasking or disengaged, Gabriel’s research found that switching webcams off during meetings can actually make employees more productive because they’re better able to focus on the content and less on how they or others look.
2.) On Linked In - I saw this...which I can't find, but it said - "Be kind. It's more important to be kind to others than to be right. To see their needs, and help them."
It also had a post on how leaders - delegate, listen, encourage, and mentor. Bosses - micromanage, criticize, talk, and direct.
3). Andor is excellent. Four episodes in and I'm impressed. They have Stellan Skarsgard, Diego Luna, and Fiona Shaw.
The production scale is on line with the better films within the series.
It reminds me a little of Rogue One - which is the film that it is a prequel/spin-off from. Personally, I rank the Star Wars films, Empire, Star Wars, Rogue One, Return, Force, Last Jedi, Rise, Solo, the prequels.
It's about a man who is hunting for his sister, but he runs into trouble doing so - and ends up with the Empire pursuing him. Somewhere along the way he gets drafted by Stellan Skarsgard to help with a big heist...and we go from there.
The cast is excellent, the writing is excellent, and so is the production.
It is by far the best thing I've seen done in the Star Wars franchise since maybe Rogue One? Or Force Awakens?
4) Chidi saw Wakanda Forever a week or so ago. I asked him about it a week or so ago, I think. It was before he took off for the holiday at any rate.
Chidi: Eh, it was okay.
Me: Didn't you see it in 4D?
Chidi: Yup.
Me: What is 4D?
Chidi: you get sprinkled with water, smell things, and your chair moves around...you basically feel everything in the movie.
Me: So, an amusement park ride?
Chidi: Yeah..but frankly, if I'd not seen it 4D, I'd have gone to sleep. It kept me amused. These superhero films are all alike.
Me: And yet you loved Top Gun.
[Sorry couldn't resist. From my perspective, all Tom Cruise films are alike.]
Chidi is a film snob. And why is it all film snobs love gory horror flicks?
Wales is the same way.
I've yet to meet a film snob who isn't into horror flicks. Specifically gory slasher and torture flicks.
I wonder about humanity some times.
I plan on seeing Wakanda Forever with movie buddy tomorrow. (Note not Wales - that would be horrific. Wales can't handle loud noises. She was jumpy during TAR. She would drive me nuts during Wakanda Forever - I wouldn't be able to watch the movie.) When seeing a movie - it is very important to pick the right person to see it with. Unfortunately, we don't have our pick of movie theaters. UA Court Street closed down without warning a week ago.
I remember when it went up - there were petitions from the entitled white folks living in Brooklyn Heights against it - they were afraid it would bring in the wrong element. Wales and I argued and scoffed at them. Movie buddy, Wales, and I all loved the theater. Was it perfect? No. But it was fun to watch action flicks in - people shouted at the screen, applauded, and you had a nice diverse group. It was mainly a Black Theater, in that Black Americans came by the busload to see films there, and often went there after shopping downtown Brooklyn. The gentrification of Brooklyn is slowly pushing them further East and North.
The pandemic is probably the reason it closed. Shame. Of the two, I'd have rather kept Court over Cobble Hill, but Cobble Hill is a small art house theater, and not as pricey to maintain, so survived.
Anyhow, suffice it to say - we will not be seeing the film in either 3D or 4D. I want to see a movie, not go on an amusement park ride. If I wanted an amusement park ride - I'd go to an amusement park. Also I don't particularly want to be beaten up by my chair during a superhero film. The friend who saw Rise of Skywalker in 4D (among the first to made for that - which by the way explains my issues with Rise of Skywalker), said she didn't particularly like being beaten up by her chair during the movie. Some people do. People are weird. I'm convinced Chidi has some form of ADHD, he cannot focus on things - he has to constantly jump about.
5. Mathew Perry's Memoir...I think it's called Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing. Not positive. Been listening to it on audible - which I heartily recommend. It's like having a one-sided conversation or listening to someone tell you their story - with all the rambling and nonconsecutive jumping around that happens when people do that. I'm not sure it works reading it - though. He's a good writer, he just needs a good editor. I'm not sure they exist in publishing houses any longer. You kind of have to hunt them down in the wild, hog tie them, and convince them to work for you at a hefty fee.
Anyhow, what hits me about it - is how the man drank or did opioids pretty much all the time. He graduated with a 4.0 GPA, and was drunk on vodka throughout high school. He felt he had to be funny - or no one would like him and was terrified of not landing jokes while on Friends. Also, he thought Fame would save him - it didn't. Nor did money. It couldn't fill the hole inside him - only alcohol could. The story is a horrific, yet compelling, and honest take on addiction, and it's toll. It also explains some of the mindset.
He states at one point that Michael Jackson took ketomaine injections and other things - because he wanted to be out. He didn't want to be high. He wanted to be out cold. Oblivion. And Perry, states he got it - he wanted to turn off his brain. And the one time he did ketomaine, he died for a minute or two - and they barely brought him back. He's almost died numerous times.
He lives in fear of drinking again, that his mind will talk him into it while he's alone. He hates being alone - because his mind tries to kill him. It won't shut up. And alcohol is the only thing that silences it.
A busy mind is a terrible thing. I know this. Mine was driving me nuts on Friday and throughout the last two weeks. My mother via the phone finally helped me shut it down. I had gotten into a loop. I thought I could fix something or I was responsible for fixing something at work - that I can't fix. It's not my responsibility to fix it. It's not on me. When I finally accepted that I had no control over the situation and couldn't do anything else about it - my mind stopped plaguing me with it. And that's nothing compared to what he's going through. What happens - when I get into these loops - is I create storylines in my head, whole plays really, where I have full fledged arguments with folks. The mind can play tricks on you. It can create false storylines. It can drive you or me crazy.
Perry is mentally ill - he has a mental illness. And it is killing him. His book is about how close it has come to doing so - on multiple occasions. And he's not alone, I know of others who have died because of addiction, because they couldn't turn it off. Others who destroyed their careers and lives over it.
That's why the book is worth reading - it takes the reader inside that person's head, and provides the reader with empathy or at least understanding of how they must feel. Addicts are stigmatized by our society. We're quick to judge people who we think are weaker than we are - or appear better off in some respects, or that we envy - when in reality they are just trying to survive and but for the grace of god, go we.
Anyhow, listening to the book - has caused me to start re-watching Friends reruns on HBO Max. I'm on S5. I had watched 1-4 in 2021. And I'm surprised - Chandler and Monica moved in together in S5. That's quick. That show was on for 10 years. Chandler is in it - but not the center of it as much, and I think that may be because Perry kept going in and out of Rehab. He's heavier in S5 - so the alcohol has taken hold.
"One woman who works at a New York-based nonprofit told CNN Business she received an HR complaint in August for the first time in her career because she kept her camera off during virtual work meetings. Shortly after, she said she received another HR complaint for the same reason.
New York's Excelsior Pass app lets people download proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test.
“I was on a call with about 15 employees and [the speaker] said everyone should have their camera on because it’s company policy and part of our culture now,” said the woman, who asked to remain anonymous for fear of company retaliation. She said she has long disliked being in front of a camera, whether it’s for pictures or videos, and the meetings only added to that discomfort. “I told them being on camera causes me anxiety and didn’t turn it on. I eventually got a doctor’s note.” [I am doing the same thing.]
Although she is still required to keep her camera on, she now sits mostly out of frame with only her shoulder showing – something her company said is acceptable. But she feels this makes things even more awkward. She is currently looking for a new job.
She’s not alone in wrestling with the new normal of constant video calls. In interviews with CNN Business, several workers described how leaving the camera on in meetings made it harder to focus on their work, sparked feelings of frustration about having to stay in one place for long periods of time, and created some discomfort about broadcasting their living situations to others. Yet workers can also feel pressure to leave the camera on, whether it’s because of an explicit request from the company to do so, or because of the perception – refuted by one recent study – that they’re less productive and engaged if they have it off.
Lydia Mack, a Los Angeles-based copywriter for brands and startups, said she keeps her webcam off during calls with clients and co-workers because she can concentrate better that way. But she’s found there are downsides to this approach, too. “If it’s a team meeting and I’m the only one with my camera off for an extended period of time, it can also be a distraction [for others] and leave them wondering if I’m even at my computer, heard the conversation in its entirety, and so on.”
***
Allison Gabriel, a professor at the University of Arizona, co-authored a study that suggested appearing on camera may contribute to the feeling of Zoom fatigue. The study also found more women experience webcam fatigue.
“Women tend to have higher self-presentation costs than men and are likely to feel heightened pressure to demonstrate competence by appearing extra vigilant on camera,” Gabriel said. “Additionally, as women took on disproportionate childcare demands compared to men during the pandemic, they are more likely to have kids in the background, which could unfortunately call into question their ability to be committed to their work and their ability to focus. We also tend to hold women to higher standards for physical appearance. Being on camera can exacerbate all of these things.”
Newer employees also feel greater pressure to demonstrate competence and engagement because they feel the need to prove they deserve to be there, Gabriel said.
Contrary to the common assumption that someone with their webcam turned off may be distracted, multitasking or disengaged, Gabriel’s research found that switching webcams off during meetings can actually make employees more productive because they’re better able to focus on the content and less on how they or others look.
2.) On Linked In - I saw this...which I can't find, but it said - "Be kind. It's more important to be kind to others than to be right. To see their needs, and help them."
It also had a post on how leaders - delegate, listen, encourage, and mentor. Bosses - micromanage, criticize, talk, and direct.
3). Andor is excellent. Four episodes in and I'm impressed. They have Stellan Skarsgard, Diego Luna, and Fiona Shaw.
The production scale is on line with the better films within the series.
It reminds me a little of Rogue One - which is the film that it is a prequel/spin-off from. Personally, I rank the Star Wars films, Empire, Star Wars, Rogue One, Return, Force, Last Jedi, Rise, Solo, the prequels.
It's about a man who is hunting for his sister, but he runs into trouble doing so - and ends up with the Empire pursuing him. Somewhere along the way he gets drafted by Stellan Skarsgard to help with a big heist...and we go from there.
The cast is excellent, the writing is excellent, and so is the production.
It is by far the best thing I've seen done in the Star Wars franchise since maybe Rogue One? Or Force Awakens?
4) Chidi saw Wakanda Forever a week or so ago. I asked him about it a week or so ago, I think. It was before he took off for the holiday at any rate.
Chidi: Eh, it was okay.
Me: Didn't you see it in 4D?
Chidi: Yup.
Me: What is 4D?
Chidi: you get sprinkled with water, smell things, and your chair moves around...you basically feel everything in the movie.
Me: So, an amusement park ride?
Chidi: Yeah..but frankly, if I'd not seen it 4D, I'd have gone to sleep. It kept me amused. These superhero films are all alike.
Me: And yet you loved Top Gun.
[Sorry couldn't resist. From my perspective, all Tom Cruise films are alike.]
Chidi is a film snob. And why is it all film snobs love gory horror flicks?
Wales is the same way.
I've yet to meet a film snob who isn't into horror flicks. Specifically gory slasher and torture flicks.
I wonder about humanity some times.
I plan on seeing Wakanda Forever with movie buddy tomorrow. (Note not Wales - that would be horrific. Wales can't handle loud noises. She was jumpy during TAR. She would drive me nuts during Wakanda Forever - I wouldn't be able to watch the movie.) When seeing a movie - it is very important to pick the right person to see it with. Unfortunately, we don't have our pick of movie theaters. UA Court Street closed down without warning a week ago.
I remember when it went up - there were petitions from the entitled white folks living in Brooklyn Heights against it - they were afraid it would bring in the wrong element. Wales and I argued and scoffed at them. Movie buddy, Wales, and I all loved the theater. Was it perfect? No. But it was fun to watch action flicks in - people shouted at the screen, applauded, and you had a nice diverse group. It was mainly a Black Theater, in that Black Americans came by the busload to see films there, and often went there after shopping downtown Brooklyn. The gentrification of Brooklyn is slowly pushing them further East and North.
The pandemic is probably the reason it closed. Shame. Of the two, I'd have rather kept Court over Cobble Hill, but Cobble Hill is a small art house theater, and not as pricey to maintain, so survived.
Anyhow, suffice it to say - we will not be seeing the film in either 3D or 4D. I want to see a movie, not go on an amusement park ride. If I wanted an amusement park ride - I'd go to an amusement park. Also I don't particularly want to be beaten up by my chair during a superhero film. The friend who saw Rise of Skywalker in 4D (among the first to made for that - which by the way explains my issues with Rise of Skywalker), said she didn't particularly like being beaten up by her chair during the movie. Some people do. People are weird. I'm convinced Chidi has some form of ADHD, he cannot focus on things - he has to constantly jump about.
5. Mathew Perry's Memoir...I think it's called Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing. Not positive. Been listening to it on audible - which I heartily recommend. It's like having a one-sided conversation or listening to someone tell you their story - with all the rambling and nonconsecutive jumping around that happens when people do that. I'm not sure it works reading it - though. He's a good writer, he just needs a good editor. I'm not sure they exist in publishing houses any longer. You kind of have to hunt them down in the wild, hog tie them, and convince them to work for you at a hefty fee.
Anyhow, what hits me about it - is how the man drank or did opioids pretty much all the time. He graduated with a 4.0 GPA, and was drunk on vodka throughout high school. He felt he had to be funny - or no one would like him and was terrified of not landing jokes while on Friends. Also, he thought Fame would save him - it didn't. Nor did money. It couldn't fill the hole inside him - only alcohol could. The story is a horrific, yet compelling, and honest take on addiction, and it's toll. It also explains some of the mindset.
He states at one point that Michael Jackson took ketomaine injections and other things - because he wanted to be out. He didn't want to be high. He wanted to be out cold. Oblivion. And Perry, states he got it - he wanted to turn off his brain. And the one time he did ketomaine, he died for a minute or two - and they barely brought him back. He's almost died numerous times.
He lives in fear of drinking again, that his mind will talk him into it while he's alone. He hates being alone - because his mind tries to kill him. It won't shut up. And alcohol is the only thing that silences it.
A busy mind is a terrible thing. I know this. Mine was driving me nuts on Friday and throughout the last two weeks. My mother via the phone finally helped me shut it down. I had gotten into a loop. I thought I could fix something or I was responsible for fixing something at work - that I can't fix. It's not my responsibility to fix it. It's not on me. When I finally accepted that I had no control over the situation and couldn't do anything else about it - my mind stopped plaguing me with it. And that's nothing compared to what he's going through. What happens - when I get into these loops - is I create storylines in my head, whole plays really, where I have full fledged arguments with folks. The mind can play tricks on you. It can create false storylines. It can drive you or me crazy.
Perry is mentally ill - he has a mental illness. And it is killing him. His book is about how close it has come to doing so - on multiple occasions. And he's not alone, I know of others who have died because of addiction, because they couldn't turn it off. Others who destroyed their careers and lives over it.
That's why the book is worth reading - it takes the reader inside that person's head, and provides the reader with empathy or at least understanding of how they must feel. Addicts are stigmatized by our society. We're quick to judge people who we think are weaker than we are - or appear better off in some respects, or that we envy - when in reality they are just trying to survive and but for the grace of god, go we.
Anyhow, listening to the book - has caused me to start re-watching Friends reruns on HBO Max. I'm on S5. I had watched 1-4 in 2021. And I'm surprised - Chandler and Monica moved in together in S5. That's quick. That show was on for 10 years. Chandler is in it - but not the center of it as much, and I think that may be because Perry kept going in and out of Rehab. He's heavier in S5 - so the alcohol has taken hold.
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Date: 2022-11-29 07:08 pm (UTC)I didn't even know Wakanda Forever was showing in 4D. I don't think I could do that either. I didn't like the 4D experiences when I was younger and I doubt that's changed now.
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Date: 2022-11-30 02:08 am (UTC)Agreed, 4D sounds headache inducing - how do you focus on the movie? I didn't like the virtual reality rides I went on at Disney in the 1980s, I don't see myself liking it now.