Designing for Socialisation

Ellen Dudley & Adrian Avendano

CrowdScanner 2010

Time spent “socializing”

What’s so great about socialising?

George Simmel

Sociability: the play-form of association,“.

“This world of sociability...a democracy of equals...without friction," so long as people blend together in a spirit of fun and affection to, "bring about among themselves a pure interaction free of any disturbing material accent.”

The Sociology of Sociability.

Sociability on a grand scale

Social interactions increase happiness

Say no to small talk

Social interactions increase cognitive capacity

Homophilious vs Heterophilious

The networker prowls alone

What is a stranger?

Changes in Eating Patterns: Breakfast

Changes in Eating Patterns: Lunch

Dining “al desko”

Portable Sandwich

Changes in Eating Patterns: Dinner

Coffee house in milano- copying starbucks – full circle

‘Coffeehouses in Italy are a third place for people, after home and work.

Changes in Drinking Patterns: Coffee

1950’s

Changes in Work Patterns: Gossip: vocal grooming

vending machine

1970’s

Changes in Work Patterns: Gossip

People aggregated around photocopiers to gossip

Email

modern workplaces.

Changes in Travelling Patterns:

Civil InattentionOne person shell

When the train arrived in the 1830s, it soon became a more anonymous form of travel.

Changes in Entertainment Patterns:

Changes in Chores Patterns:Shopping, Banking, Information seeking

Connect with new people and old friends

Some Rebellion & Progress?

Second Lives Online and Social Gaming will never be enough... Or will it?

“Escape to IMVU”

but you can now stay in touch with people

To “Reconnect us”

The train is running late....

But we are social animals

• Emotions are contagious

• Eye contact releases dopamine

• Laughing in groups releases enough endorphins to allow us to withstand more pain

Yes!

Compliance

Social Validation

Normative Influence

you are more likely to conform within a group of strangers than you are with friends.

Joint Attention

Dunbar’s Number (s)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i98XpBFWPrI

Superior Colliculus – Midbrain Tectum

Laughter

HUGE endorphin release

Pub = endorphin ritual

Asking for a lighter.Asking a stranger for help

CrowdScanner

Joint Attention

Result: Social encounter

www.crowdscanner.com