Engagement matters more than ever in these hyper-connected, hyper-distracted times. As a connected culture, we want to know, we don’t want to miss, we can’t wait to forward the next sparkly, shiny, useful message thing that comes our way. And yet a recent poll from Interpret regarding online video viewing patterns proves that even this always-on medium bows to the dominance of dinnertime.
Yes dinner, that lovely day-ending repast that delineates “on” from “off” and “work” from “play” stands out as the sole time of day when the consistent consumption of online video takes a break. From 6pm-9pm, we set aside the keyboards and pick up forks and spoons. As a human being, I find that deeply, deeply reassuring.
Because how many times have you ridden an elevator where everyone scanned their Blackberrys and iPhones, desperate to fill the silent, yawning moments between floors? How often have you noticed people sitting outside on a beautiful Summer day, focused solely on their laptop? On a recent vacation, my own family spent more than one hour together, each of us tied to a different computer.
So the fact that online video must wait for mealtime? That’s fine with me, just fine indeed. LOL cats and Colbert clips can wait a half hour. Despite being woefully underrated, analog conversation is still a skill worth developing.