Showerthoughts

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A "Showerthought" is a simple term used to describe the thoughts that pop into your head while you're doing everyday things like taking a shower, driving, or just daydreaming. The most popular seem to be lighthearted, clever little truths, hidden in daily life.

Here are some examples to inspire your own showerthoughts: 1

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When you are on a videocall do you also keep looking at your own thumbnail video? (self.showerthoughts)

submitted 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago) by netvor to c/showerthoughts

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When I speak, unless I'm sharing the screen I always keep looking at myself. It's kind of strange -- it clearly does not match a real-world conversation, but somehow I can't help it.

Edit: More context -- I'm wondering if others have it, if this is something that can be explained by some "brain" thing, and also how does it affect the conversation.

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[–] kryptonianCodeMonkey 5 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago)

I do it as well. If I'm not actively speaking and the person speaking isn't presenting something that I need to look at, I usually end up bouncing back and forth between the speaker and my image.

I don't want to necessarily apply logic to it because I don't think it's a conscious, logic decision I'm making. But if I had to try, I'd say that the reasons are A) I cannot "look them in the eye" as I would in person without looking directly at my camera, which is both weird and means I'm literally looking away from them. That is the paradox of video calling. B) Looking at them, versus looking literally anywhere else on your screen makes no tangible difference to anyone else looking at your video feed. C) I want to make sure I am not looking ridiculous while blasting my image to a dozen people. No double chin, no resting bitch face, no glazed look, no boogers, etc. D) Staring at anyone else would feel weird, invasive, and distracting to me, including the speaker, if they are not actively speaking to me. It feels like I'm eavesdropping when I'm not actively being addressed. E) Gotta take advantage of having eyes on the back of your head. Never turn your back on your enemy. Stay vigilant. The cat will not pounce me and claw my back mid-meeting again.