Bleeding Edge

Bleeding Edge

by Mike Masnick


Filed Under:
biofeedback, conversation




Devices Monitor Whether You're A Good Conversationalist

from the that-could-be-useful dept

I'll admit that there are times when I've been known to take up more than my fair share of a conversation. Usually, though, I only realize this after the conversation is over (such as when my wife points it out), though it is something that I try to watch. However, some researchers at MIT are apparently working on devices that can better measure the dynamics of face-to-face conversation and provide direct feedback to the speakers -- such as letting them know when they've been hogging the conversation and when to shut up. As the article link above notes, there really hasn't been much done to regularly analyze and provide biofeedback on conversational techniques and the way that people interact on a regular basis. In the past, it's mostly been limited to people being filmed doing some activity, and then reviewing the film later. Having a better system for monitoring certain actions in real time could be quite useful in getting people to adjust their behavior.

9 Comments | Leave a Comment..

 

Reader Comments (rss)

(Flattened / Threaded)

  1. by Anonymous Coward - Oct 29th, 2008 @ 10:58pm

    first post

    end of conversation

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  2. by Anonymous Coward - Oct 30th, 2008 @ 1:45am

    YOU ARE HOGGING THE CONVERSATION!!!

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  3. Huh

    by Ferin - Oct 30th, 2008 @ 5:06am

    I always figured if you thought something like this was a good idea it was good indicator of your conversational skills.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  4. Re: Huh

    by Xanthir, FCD - Oct 30th, 2008 @ 6:37am

    Well, yeah. The best inventions are ones the inventors want to use.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  5. Yeah, welcome to the machine park

    by Johnson - Oct 30th, 2008 @ 7:25am

    WTH is going on with you guys? Stop this perfection sh...oot and tryx to accept who you are and develop qualities living with it. Damn. Really...

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  6. Coming soon to Walmarts Everywhere ....

    by Dan - Oct 30th, 2008 @ 7:52am

    The conversation guide wristwatch!

    This convenient device monitors your conversations and sends you short reminders on how you can improve the conversation you are currently involved in! With a real time score indicator you can even get yoru children to converse better by making it a game ...

    There is even the option to have the watch shock you if you start to hog the conversation! That'll shut you up!!!

    *DISCLAIMER*
    We are not responsible for any conversations recorded and transmtted to the DoD, your wife, or your girlfriend's parents

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  7. Warning - You are approaching your conversation limit

    by No Six Pack - Oct 30th, 2008 @ 8:13am

    Maybe ISPs will provide a pay service which uses such a device to alert users to their hogging of resources - errr I mean conversation.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  8. A serious side

    by Russ - Oct 30th, 2008 @ 9:50am

    You guys are discounting how useful this could be to people with certain mental handicaps. (Think autism). Technology that helps people who struggle with typical human interaction could revolutionize their lives.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  9. by Overcast - Mar 9th, 2009 @ 9:05am

    Who seriously has the time to work on something as useless as this? lol

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

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