BJ Fogg's Weblog

Audio evokes stronger emotions than photos

I love digital photos. I carry a camera most everywhere, and I take a few thousand shots each year. These images bring back memories and emotions of the moment.

But I've found that audio messages are even more powerful than photos. Not so long ago I started re-listening to some YackPack messages I've stored from my family. I found that their voices -- their comments and stories -- brought back the emotions more dramatically than my photos.

Wow. This was a surprise.

I wonder if this is true for most. When it comes to capturing memories and emotions from the past, which works better: audio or images?

This would make an interesting study.

Email from Iraq hurt family unity

I recently met an Air Force officer who was a commander in Iraq. He told me his story . . .

While away from home he sent email faithfully. Once in a while he was able to phone his family. After a few months he started noticing that the phone calls got shorter and more awkward. His kids didn't have much to say to him. He was becoming a stranger.

The commander believes (and I agree) that email is the likely culprit. Despite his frequent emails home, he failed to engage his kids emotionally over time. Without this emotional connection, they drifted apart.

Would the commander have been better off not using email, relying solely on infrequent phone calls? Perhaps.

Email gives the illusion of connection without real substance underneath. Using email to nurture relationships is sort of like eating fast food: Your stomach feels full, but your body is not getting nourishment. Over time, this creates bigger problems.

YackPack offers what the commander needs to stay close to his kids. I hope he'll use it.