Some years ago I read a book “The Physics of Consciousness”. It presents ideas, theories, and proposed explanations about how consciousness may emerge and manifest through electrical, chemical, and quantum process in our brains. In one section the book examines the visual processing of our brain, using physics and chemistry it predicts the maximum data or information rate possible using the visual system in our bodies including the eyes, optic nerve, and brain visual processing centers. Interestingly that data rate is very close to what a typical TV screen produces. That is, while watching TV 'all or nearly all' of the visual system resources are consumed. We tend to be visually oriented however, audio and olfactory information is coupled with the visual in our typical face to face interactions. It is possible, perhaps even common, for someone to become so engrossed with a TV program, to be unable to hear someone calling their name or to loose track of time. I believe the reason for this is associated with the physics of our consciousness.

This 'filling the brain' with information, (saturation), affects our online interactions. Can you imagine trying to have a conversation while a TV program is happening? The online experience is like watching a TV in many ways. Perhaps that is why some people online do 'stupid' things. Perhaps the visual stimulation being processed by the brain, but then mostly ignored by the consciousness, creates distortions in our perceptions and makes us more primal in our response to other stimuli like ideas and thoughts presented in text. This could be tested by presenting a screen to users with one of two presentation styles: a neutral solid color background and a busy and animated background (like online artist community sites) and then observing interactions and conflicts. Of course this study would require resources not available to us at this time.

Have you ever said something in a forum or email that annoyed someone? If you are an active participant in online communities this has probably happened to you. If this had happened at school or at work, you might let the person know that you did not intend to cause the reaction you received. This action and feedback loop is very difficult to achieve online. If you send an email to the person you offended, they might consider it harassment, even if your intention is merely to apologize. It is even possible that friends of the offended may consider your comments in forums attacks and attack you back. The missing face to face interaction with body language and inflection rich speech can not be duplicated in textual environments. This substantially changes the dynamic of interactions online. While video and audio interactions are possible, their use and availability will remain low except to certain groups and organizations. Even so, they fail to achieve the level of communication possible face to face..

Online the best strategy is avoidance. If they seek to resolve the issue then proceed with interactions. Forcing interactions will likely compound the distortions and may cause an escalation in response perhaps even retribution.

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