‘OK, Zoomer’: exploring virtual gatherings

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 20/04/2020 (2189 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

It seems that the latest video conference medium is not beyond the baby boomer generation.

A new life of social distancing has given rise to virtual get-togethers.

My first Zoom conference was last week when my dinner group arranged a meeting. We gathered in front of our respective computers, iPads and phones at the appointed time, six couples with drinks in hand who then chatted for over an hour.

It was a bit of a disappointing experience. What I was expecting was six small screens so I could see and hear everyone at once. What I got was a small inset screen featuring myself whilst the larger screen only showed one other couple, the one who happened to be talking at the time. The others were nowhere to be seen.

I was undeterred and arranged another video conference so our band could continue with our weekly music practices.

The Sill-i-Tones is a folk group specializing in traditional Scandinavian tunes.

The name being derived from “silli” the Finnish word for herring. So we are, in fact, the Herring Tones.

We usually gather most Tuesdays at the Scandinavian Centre and practice. Sometimes up to 12 of us, if everyone shows up.

Seven of us gathered for the video hook-up. A couple were defeated by technology while a couple were wary of security issues.

It was a very challenging experience trying to play music together.

Sometimes it’s hard enough to keep time when we’re together in person, but trying to play by video link when you can only hear one other musician was virtually impossible. Especially when you get the occasional lag in streaming. It made three-four time sound more like nine-ten time.

The good point was that we were all able to have a little chat and I don’t think anyone noticed my guitar being slightly out of tune.

Trevor Smith is a community correspondent for River Heights. You can contact him via email at smitht@mymts.net