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Pace-layering for communication, and messaging

👋 Hello, I'd like to try a different way to share and discuss long-form thoughts. The native commenting feature in dropbox paper and gdoc create a ‘second class’. So to comment or to elaborate on something, please just type directly inside the notes by adding text in-between the paragraphs (maybe with your initials). However, if you want to react to something, feel free to use the commenting feature!~

Weiwei: Hey there!

I have been pondering about the pacing of conversation, and how to grow shared-context within a (friend, work, or hobby) group over time.

First, let’s chat a little about pacing. When I think about pacing, I can’t help but think about the speed in which I travel in a city. There are many modalities that I can choose from:

> I can travel by foot, and notice the distinct smell and sound of each intersection.

> I can travel by skateboard/kick-scooter, and let the uneven-ness of the street vibrate throughout my body.

> I can travel by bike, and feel the slight breeze that touches my skin.

> I can travel by car, and see the blurry cityscape that pass by in front of my eyes.

> I can travel by metro, and let myself wander where each passenger’s going

Of course, there are many other variations in travel modes, but let’s talk about the differences between these four (at least to me) distinct pacing

Each one of the modality enable, discourage, and prohibit different interactions. They also prioritise different goals. Some is about the destination, some is about the journey, some creates headspace for me to ponder, some sets the expectation that our conversation can jump between topics.

When I travel by foot, I often find myself:

Greeting passerby

Stopping to wave at a snail or a cat

Feeling the texture between tiled and paved streets via my shoes

Letting my eyes wander between all the storefronts

Noticing the clothes others wear

Listening to podcast

Having casual and long conversations with friends

When I travel by skateboard/kick-scooter, I often find myself:

Trying wiggle on the skateboard/kick-scooter

Testing my ability to do tricks

Being in my head and thinking about something I haven’t figure out

Worrying about tripping over a big rock

Trying to go somewhere different

Making sharp turns toward an alley that I just saw

When I travel by bike, I often find myself:

Appreciating the world

Switching between casual peddling and fast-paced peddling

Taking big inhales to smell the plants I see

Being scared of the cars that zip by..

Reflecting on something that I happened in the past

When I travel by car, I often find myself:

Being particular about the music that’s played in the car

Noticing how others drive

Checking on how much time left before I arrive at the destination

Pointing at something outside the car

Staying in silence or conversing about a lengthy topic

Asking weird questions for each other to answer

When I travel by metro, I often find myself: