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Category: Communication

  • Communication in the future – a gentle movement toward augmentation, part 2

    In part one we discussed the potential usage of augmentation (smartwatches, and smart glasses). We also argued that further technological augmentation is inevitable. Therefore, our role is to use augmentation for good. In this spirit, we continue our discussion.

    A curriculum for communication

    *(why the word curriculum?)

    Before we attempt to discuss a curriculum let’s separate different areas of communication, and focus on what is relevant. One can divide communication into many different categories, but let’s differentiate the following types for our purposes.

    1. Verbal
    2. Non-verbal
    3. Written
    4. Visual
    5. Active listening
    [1]
    “Five Types of Communication – Graduate College of Drexel University,” Graduate College of Drexel University, 2018. https://drexel.edu/graduatecollege/professional-development/blog/2018/July/Five-types-of-communication/ (accessed Jan. 03, 2023).

    We will be exploring these types of communication through the following lense:

    • Early-childhood
    • Adolescent
    • Professional
    • Political and social discourse over social media and in-person

    However, our primary focus is political and social discourse. Specifically, how can we have better political/religious and social discussions through augmentation?

    The anchor of the curriculum

    The anchor has to be “logic”. No question about it. So that’s where it all needs to start.

    Early-childhood and Adolescent

    We have to be extremely careful when it comes to our children and technology. Unfortunately, over the last couple of decades, we have made all of our children addicts through the use of smartphones. Their dopamine levels are constantly depleted. The antidote is perhaps another technology, Neurofeedback.

    “Neurofeedback is a kind of biofeedback, which teaches self-control of brain functions to subjects by measuring brain waves and providing a feedback signal. “

    [1]
    H. Marzbani, H. Marateb, and M. Mansourian, “Methodological Note: Neurofeedback: A Comprehensive Review on System Design, Methodology and Clinical Applications,” Basic and Clinical Neuroscience Journal, vol. 7, no. 2, 2016, doi: 10.15412/j.bcn.03070208.

    Use of Neurofeedback

    The usage of Neurofeedback will be part of early-childhood education. Today, there are many medical practices that use neurofeedback as a mechanism to treat anxiety disorders. They use video games to correct behavior and treat overactive areas of the brain. Here is a great introduction through the lens of a Psychiatrist :

    S. Chandra, “What is Neurofeedback? A Psychiatrist’s Perspective – SURUCHI CHANDRA M.D.,” SURUCHI CHANDRA M.D., Aug. 24, 2021. https://chandramd.com/what-is-neurofeedback/ (accessed Jan. 03, 2023).

    [1]
    S. M. Butnik, “Neurofeedback in adolescents and adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder,” Journal of Clinical Psychology, vol. 61, no. 5, pp. 621–625, 2005, doi: 10.1002/jclp.20124.

    Why the word curriculum?


    In the future technological augmentation will be used throughout our lives. Perhaps, randomly. The word curriculum is used to emphasize that we have to be intentional and methodical and also implement good practices in our education system.

  • Communication in the future – a gentle movement toward augmentation, part 1

    Too much is at stake. We can not afford to misunderstand each other on such a large scale. Political discourse is impossible to have. Religious discussions inevitably end with the threat of violence. Yet we must have political and religious debates in order to survive. So how should we improve? 

    Enhancing human communication

    Can we have political or religious debates without passing judgment? The obvious answer is yes, let’s improve our communication. But how? Here is one approach: Turn key scientific insights regarding human communication into useful habits using smart technologies. Specifically:

    • Extract key insights from scientific literature related to human communication. 
    • Create new habits using smart technology. Use smart devices and algorithms to augment human communication.

    Key insights

    Capture human signals

    Shaking hands – transferring germs or information?

    Did you know that every time we shake hands, we’re also transferring chemicals?

    It may sound gross, but it’s actually not as dirty as you think.

    We’re simply exchanging information with the other person.

    Not only can we tell if somebody is stressed by looking at their face, but also from the chemicals that are exchanged during a handshake. In fact, we determine whether someone is happy or sad solely based on the handshake.

    Always, check references. Read some research on handshakes:
    An icon representing binoculars.Semin, G. R., & Farias, A. R. (2014). The scent of a handshake. eLife, 4. https://doi.org/10.7554/eLife.06758Read more

    The question is what else can we measure from the handshake? If nothing else, can we just determine whether someone can have an open conversation objectively? In my view, you can, this sort of augmentation may seem intrusive, but we are headed to the world of full augmentation where our sweat will become a data point for others.

    Unfortunately, I don’t think we have control over this. The important question is how to regulate its malicious usage. A topic for another time.

    In the future: Our smartwatch will not only measure our hormone levels but also that of others. Our smart devices will use this data to perform many operations, perhaps one of them could be to improve human communication.

    Is your frontal cortex open?

    A personal signal of openness

    The frontal cortex is the area of your brain that watches over and analyzes everything else. It’s where you learn rules to shape your other thoughts and actions.

    1.
    Strange BA. Anterior Prefrontal Cortex Mediates Rule Learning in Humans. Cerebral Cortex. 2001;11(11):1040-1046. doi:10.1093/cercor/11.11.1040

    2.
    Badre D, Kayser AS, D’Esposito M. Frontal Cortex and the Discovery of Abstract Action Rules. Neuron. 2010;66(2):315-326. doi:10.1016/j.neuron.2010.03.025

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    One can learn a rule to keep “the mind open” when entering a discussion, and our brain will physically become more plastic. It can make new connections and build new cells to learn.

    So what if you can determine the activity of your frontal cortex using a non-intrusive brain sensor (not an implant)?

    In the future, A smart glass that detects front-cortex activity to determine whether “you” will have an open mind in a debate. 

    Turning insights into habits

    At this point, one may rightly observe, humans already do that exceptionally well. Our brains are far superior to any computer, we should therefore rely on its capabilities. The answer is of course we should, but …

    But we are already overwhelmed by the amount of information that we consume every second now, one solution can be technology itself another can be a large-scale behavior change.

    Finally, technology augmentation is inevitable. It’s better to imagine solutions for humanity than to just think of another way to sell more ads. Hence, it’s important to bring in all of the augmentations and think about a curriculum that will help us build better habits at a large scale.

    A curriculum for communication – Large-scale behavior change.

    There is much to say about this topic. We have to tackle this in a separate post. Here are some initial questions/thoughts, but would love to hear your feedback too, feel free to leave comments:

    • Can we create a curriculum for college students to teach and practice communication using smart tech?
    • Can we use VR to experience communication challenges and continuously learn?
    • Is Neurofeedback already used to improve communication?  

    Part – 2: Curriculum discussion