Skype Surprises

We conducted a portion of preliminary interviews for a an academic position via Skype recently. Many of us were surprised and disturbed to reflect later that we had a greater sense of encounter and intimacy with some of the virtual interviews than those that occurred face-to-face.

I think this was less about the candidates themselves and more about the performances our institutionalized physical space did that the academy permitted. Skype permitted candidates to frame themselves in an alternative space that was able to resist some of those traditions and expectations. Sobering.

Thanks for a great talk!

emailed to me from Broderick Fox during my talk at Occidental College.