Zoom calls are simply no replacement for authentic human connection.
Thats where Human Onlines Human Minute comes in.
Maybe it can also help us find a moment of genuine connection in these troubled times.
Once youre signed in, scroll down to the video box and clickConnect.
Youll then have to wait while the site pairs you with someone.
Next, clickAllowto let Human Online access your devices camera.
An on-screen guide will help you line-up your cameras view for the best results.
ClickStartto connect to the other person.
Heres the hard part: Make eye contact with your match for 60 seconds.
you’ve got the option to also clickEnd connectionto end the video early.
ClickMove on from this experiencewhen youre ready to wrap up the window.
Part of that is down to my personality: Im not necessarily a shy person.
I have an aversion to certain social parameters, sure, but in general, Im okay with strangers.
Still, I wont deny I had reservations.
As it turns out, its not that bad.
I loaded up the website, made an account and clicked connect.
A progress bar at the top started slowly ticking down, then vanished.
I noticed that he and I both were sitting in very similar-looking rooms, flanked by shelves.
Then we both smiled more, and I kinda just stopped thinking after that.
I expected the 60 seconds to feel like an awkward eternity, but actually passed quite quickly.
He silently nodded at the last moment, and the connection ended automatically.
The last several weeks have been difficult for me, as Im sure theyve been for others.
But when it comes to the experience itself, I found it oddly moving.
Id suggest giving it a try if youre curious.