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    Back to Press Play with Madeleine Brand

    Press Play with Madeleine Brand

    Science behind ‘Zoom fatigue’

    “Zoom fatigue” is a generic term for feeling drained after sitting in front of any kind of video conference for much of the day. That’s according to Jeremy Bailenson, founding director of Stanford University’s Virtual Human Interaction Lab.

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    By Madeleine Brand • Feb 25, 2021 • 48m Listen

    “Zoom fatigue” is a generic term for feeling drained after sitting in front of any kind of video conference for much of the day. That’s according to Jeremy Bailenson, founding director of Stanford University’s Virtual Human Interaction Lab.

    He says using Zoom is like being inside an elevator with people who are all staring at you for the whole ride.

    He shares tips for making these calls more comfortable, such as hiding “self view” and minimizing the window so it doesn’t take up your entire monitor. Also, turn on the camera at the start of the meeting so you can get a sense of others, then turn off the camera.

    In this episode

    5 stories
    1. 0:00

      How LA's 'hero pay' ties to federal fight over minimum wage

      Democrats want to include a federal minimum wage hike in the latest COVID-19 relief bill. They want it to go up to $15 per hour over the next four years.

      Read the story
      8 min
    2. 8:08

      Fry’s Electronics permanently closes due to pandemic plus competition from Amazon and new tech

      The reaction to Fry’s going under has been sentimental. Many customers have fond memories of the chain’s oddball stores, with themes like Alice in Wonderland or outer space.

      Read the story
      8 min
    3. 16:04

      Hospitals now offer special treatment centers for treat COVID long haulers

      Most people who come down with COVID-19 usually recover fully. But for about 10% of people, symptoms linger (sometimes for months). They can experience extreme fatigue, muscle aches, breathing problems, and insomnia.

      Read the story
      9 min
    4. 24:58

      Annabelle Gurwitch: Being human means ‘Calamity R Us,’ and it’s important to laugh about it

      Actress and author Annabelle Gurwitch thought after she sent her kid to college, she’d be coasting into her golden years, taking Zumba classes and enjoying the extra “me time.”

      Read the story
      16 min
    5. 40:31

      Science proves Zoom meetings are awful. Here are tips to make them better

      Videoconferencing can make you feel socially, emotionally, and physically fatigued. That’s according to Jeremy Bailenson of Stanford University’s Virtual Human Interaction Lab.

      Read the story
      8 min
    • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

      Madeleine Brand

      Host, 'Press Play'

    • KCRW placeholder

      Sarah Sweeney

      Vice President of Talk Programming, KCRW

    • KCRW placeholder

      Angie Perrin

      Producer, Press Play

    • KCRW placeholder

      Michell Eloy

      Former Producer/Line Editor, Press Play

      Culture

    In this episode

    5 stories
    1. 0:008 min

      How LA's 'hero pay' ties to federal fight over minimum wage

    2. 8:088 min

      Fry’s Electronics permanently closes due to pandemic plus competition from Amazon and new tech

    3. 16:049 min

      Hospitals now offer special treatment centers for treat COVID long haulers

    4. 24:5816 min

      Annabelle Gurwitch: Being human means ‘Calamity R Us,’ and it’s important to laugh about it

    5. 40:318 min

      Science proves Zoom meetings are awful. Here are tips to make them better

    Back to Press Play with Madeleine Brand