To blur or not to blur?
In the past months, we’ve probably all been there. You’re at home. In this super important video call. Trying to act all professional.
Then your kid walks in.
Dog shortly follows.
Wife asks what’s for dinner.
To save you from ‘embarrassment’ video solutions now recommend to blur your background.
Now I might be swimming against the stream here but I wouldn’t like to call my kids nor my wife embarrassing (don’t have a dog, sorry). We’re all in the same situation, working from home. We're doing our best to make it work. You don't have anything to hide, so why blur?
I understand you don't want to (literally) air your dirty laundry. But I don’t mind people seeing a bit of my personal life. In fact, it makes my conversations easier and more human.
In my background you see my road bike on a stationary trainer. Great, so you love cycling! My kids walked in on numerous video calls. Embarrassing no? Kids are a great ice breaker and every respectable home-worker should get one ;-)
Blurring your background is a great last resort but I hope it doesn't become the new normal.
#keepitreal
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4 年Don't blur or replace is my choice. We are all human. Showing that part of who we are is important - before during and after this pandemic
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4 年I agree Rutger Teunissen and feel the same about "fake" backgrounds unless you are working in a broom cupboard or want to spriten up that white wall behind you, it ought to be a conversation starter not an ender.