With over 300 million daily participants, Zoom is clearly having a moment. And as the pandemic rolls on, our relationship with Zoom has changed quite a bit . Even my dear friend Brad “Zen” Feld is having to re-evaluate Zoom. And it actually made me wonder if we are following the Kübler-Ross model — you know, that whole classic five stages of grief malarkey. Here’s how I see our Zoom experience mapping onto these stages:
- Zoom Zoom Zoom: We can get through this self-isolation with Zoom. Parties, dinners, meetings, dates. Let’s add Zoom backgrounds. Denial seems like the best way to deal with the harsh reality of the pandemic. (Read: Zoom, Zelfied, and Physical Distancing )
- Zoom Crashers: Who are these people who crashing my Zooms. Where is the security? All these security problems make you angry.
- Make Zoom Great Again. Passwords and security are what we need, and that is what we will get. Problems are solved, and we still Zoom for everything albeit more carefully. We will bargain our way to a tolerable Zoom-based reality.
- Zoom Fatigue: You feel depressed because you find yourself constantly Zooming. You complain of Zoom burnout. Some scientific papers try to explain it, and the media lets you know that you aren’t alone! (Read:# 47 )
- Zooooooooom: You finally accept that Zoom is great if you use it for the right reasons. You learn to Zoom with the video turned off. (Read: 50 )
As the Italians say: “Andra tutto bene.” It will be all right.