"WhatsApp estimates that 7bn audio messages are sent on its platform every day. And Britons are serious offenders, sending an average of 58 hours' worth of these digital soliloquies a year. Senders can be spotted on their morning commute, phone held in front of them at a 45-degree angle, as they wax lyrical about a colleague who never replenishes the communal biscuit tin or a situationship who, surprise, doesn't want to be in a relationship."
"Voice notes were fun when WhatsApp introduced them in 2013, but what was once a novelty has become too many people's go-to method of communication. We are now faced with what feels to me like a voice note epidemic. Side effects may include the cheapening of conversation and a startling increase in narcissism."
"These wannabe podcast hosts interrupt themselves with: Oh my god, such a cute dog or Oops, was nearly ploughed down by a bicycle, as if the listener needs environmental colour as they strain to understand the story soup sloshing around in their ears. Gen Z audio messages average 12 minutes and 24 seconds, and dear reader, as a member of this cohort I've suffered hours, if not days, of these meandering monologues."
"By not actively calling someone, voice noters are able to dodge the to and fro of a conversation and take centre stage. During the brief period when I dabbled in audio messaging I caught myself listening back to my performance before I hit send — that's when I knew it was time to call it quits."
WhatsApp voice notes have shifted from novelty to a dominant communication method, creating a “voice note epidemic.” Billions of audio messages are sent daily, with Britons and Gen Z sending especially large amounts. Many messages are long, self-centered monologues recorded while commuting or during everyday situations. Interruptions and background details can make stories hard to follow, and listeners may feel forced to process “story soup” rather than receive clear information. Voice notes can also let senders avoid back-and-forth conversation while taking center stage. Listening to one’s own recording before sending can reinforce narcissistic behavior, prompting some users to stop using the feature.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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