This blog post has been written for the Feedback Carnival, “Feedback would happen all
the time if…” conceived and curated by Helen
Amery.
Groans and moans, hands over ears
and startled looks at your neighbour, perhaps a nervous laugh and, almost
certainly, a sense of relief when it’s over – most of us have experienced the
screech of feedback from speakers at a concert or via a public address system.
I do a lot of video calls and conferencing with colleagues around the world,
although the technology is greatly improved from its early days, there are
still times when we suffer audio feedback and our voices are echoed, distorted or
delayed – and the conversation becomes awkward. Feedback can be tricky.
Mind you, even audio feedback can
be good and/or serve a purpose. Lou Reed’s 1975 album, accurately entitled, Metal Machine Music,
supposedly was created entirely from feedback. It is not to everyone’s taste,
but it was avant-garde and, even if you don’t like it, you can
appreciate the influence it has had on others (ttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dYtzNl48F60).
Other, less dissonant, music has relied on feedback for its impact – Jimi
Hendrix’s rendition of Wild Thing at
the Monterey Festival (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H9j9piGxwE4)
Or the Beatles’ I Feel Fine, recorded in October 1964, (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YZaxUpe9T0Y).
This is one of the first instances where feedback was recorded on purpose, with
Paul McCartney plucking an A on his bass, while John Lennon stood very close to
the amplifier to create an extended “twang” through the pickups.
When Helen suggested that people
write a piece on the theme of Feedback, for her carnival, I am sure that she
was thinking of feedback within the work environment, not audio feedback, but
the concept is the same – people are hesitant or unnerved because it can be
painful, unpleasant or difficult and sometimes feedback can be manipulative.
The problem is as much with the
receiver as the giver – the manner in which we ask, hear and react to observations,
as well as the way in which we are told, is the root as to why feedback is seen
as difficult and often avoided.
Audio feedback is caused by issues
between the microphone that captures the sound, the amplifier that increases
the power or impact of the signal and the speaker that projects the noise at a
desired audio frequency. Our brains are a bit like the microphone – the thoughts, comments or reactions to what is being
said commence here. Our attitude resembles the amplifier – the mood and emotional reaction that we have will
impact the way in which a message is conveyed or received. And finally, the speaker is like the mouth speaking or
reacting to the message – the tone, volume and nuances in the way that the
feedback is delivered or heard (perceived or actual) are the deciding factor as
to how the feedback is received.
In some areas of life feedback is
the norm. It is hard to imagine a sportsman or athlete not wishing to improve
and hence not listening to feedback. Animal trainers and sports coaches both
recommend that feedback is provided as swiftly as possible. My sons still laugh
about the sight of their grandmother diving across a room to grab a young cat
who had just tried to spray the window – she held its nose close to the liquid
dribbling down the window pane and it was clear to all that she was cross. Her much
loved and devoted cat, Max, is now an elderly, well-behaved tom – I am sure
that he learned “the house rules” because of being given swift feedback as soon
as it was appropriate.
 |
| Max with his sister Molly |
Although feedback at work is often
problematical, feedback per se is not the issue. Most of us monitor our
behaviour and reactions and provide evaluation to ourselves as either
kinaesthetic (internal) feedback – i.e. what you feel during or after
practicing a skill or doing something (such as “I hit the ball too hard and
hence it travelled too far”) or via external data and observations – this could
be verbal comments from a coach, colleague or friend; written information such
as on an observation sheet or a training “Happy Sheets”; or else some other
external input e.g. visual – such as seeing yourself on video; or knowledge
based – from analysing data or results and comparing yourself to others (part
of the basis of psychometric testing). As humans we seek feedback and
confirmation, as we are often insecure and hence want to understand how we are
perceived (witness the success of tests such as this one, which I enjoyed: http://quizly.io/quiz/1671/begin/1
)
Feedback is a constant in so many
areas of our lives. Yesterday I had a problem with my mobile – after lengthy
discussions with customer service, eventually we sorted the matter out. Within
2 minutes of my ending the call I received a series of texts asking me to rate
my experience and to score the provider and their employee’s ability to resolve
my problems. This request for feedback is a typical aspect of modern life.
Giving and receiving feedback can prove as uncomfortable online as it is
offline. Last November a couple were fined £100 for giving a hotel a bad review
on Trip Advisor – describing the establishment they had stayed in as a “rotten
stinking hovel” - many of us read the story. In our digital
world little remains secret for long and many sellers encourage feedback to
boost sales, but, just like in the off-line, work environment, some people find
criticism hard to take.
However, sometimes feedback is
given not so much for the benefit of the receiver but for the delight of a
wider audience – witness the customer reviews on many e-tail sites, here are a
glorious selection that have amused me:
By Howyon May 29, 2009:
“Obviously the snake oil salesmen who
designed this product don't know much about computers or steering wheels. My
first and most notable complaint is that you better be sure you're driving on a
straight road when you use it, because it is impossible to turn your steering
wheel with this attachment. Maybe, because my car is a foreign model, it
doesn't fit, but I honestly cannot even back out of my driveway with this thing
on.
If you are lucky enough to have a car where this apparatus can fit safely on the steering wheel, I hope you have a satellite internet card, because there is no way you can pick up wifi in a moving vehicle. Finally, I frankly don't see how the airbag is supposed to work without projecting your computer into your face upon collision.
This thing is a scam, and if you think you can be more productive on your drive to work with it, think again. Just bring a magazine or some papers instead to read on your commute.”
If you are lucky enough to have a car where this apparatus can fit safely on the steering wheel, I hope you have a satellite internet card, because there is no way you can pick up wifi in a moving vehicle. Finally, I frankly don't see how the airbag is supposed to work without projecting your computer into your face upon collision.
This thing is a scam, and if you think you can be more productive on your drive to work with it, think again. Just bring a magazine or some papers instead to read on your commute.”
By John Grimeson February 7, 2015
“I admit it, I'm a hefty guy. But
with the AutoExec, I can comfortably wear those jeans I couldn't even fit into
in High School! Before AutoExec, I had a 60" waistline but with AutoExec,
I have a svelte 22" waistline for the first time in my life! As an added bonus,
I just tap the brakes, and voila! - instant Heimlich manoeuver (tm)!”
Great product!, 3 Sept. 2012 By A keen skier
This review is from: BiC For Her Medium
Ballpoint Pen (Box of 12) - Black (Office Product)
“My husband has never allowed me to write, as he
doesn't want me touching mens pens. However when I saw this product, I decided
to buy it (using my pocket money) and so far it has been fabulous! Once I had
learnt to write, the feminine colour and the grip size (which was more suited
to my delicate little hands) has enabled me to vent thoughts about new recipe
ideas, sewing and gardening. My husband is less pleased with this product as he
believes it will lead to more independence and he hates the feminine tingling
sensation (along with the visions of fairies and rainbows) he gets whenever he
picks it up.”
Dreams really can come true, 5 May 2012
By Quitegeist (Bolton, England)
This review is from: Aluminium Foil 18"
(450mm x 75m) - industrial size for your kitchen or professional establishment
(Misc.)
In many ways, I was raised by the cinema of the
80s. I was an especially big fan of the film Robocop. "One day," I
would think, "I too will be a Robot police officer". As the years
went by and I grew older, and the hopeful dreams of my childhood vanished into
the distance, I resigned myself to the fact that being a robot was not a
realistic life goal and devoted myself with single-minded determination to
becoming a law enforcement officer. After years of hard work and sacrifice I
was awarded my badge, and with my first police officer wage I decided to treat
myself to a few DVDs from Amazon. It was then I saw the product that would
change my life forever- Vogue Aluminium Foil.
Thanks to Vogue Aluminium Foil, which measures a hedonistic 75 metres and glistens with the hypnotising shimmer of a moonlit desert oasis caught by a breeze, the dreams of my childhood have now been realised. When I wrap my naked body in this lush, extravagant foil I feel transformed, and I wander the streets, mostly at night, fighting crime. While my official position as a member of the police has been revoked as a direct result of these actions, my current life as a robot vigilante is far more rewarding. Dreams really can come true.
Thankyou, Vogue Aluminium Foil. 5 stars. Highly recommended.
Thanks to Vogue Aluminium Foil, which measures a hedonistic 75 metres and glistens with the hypnotising shimmer of a moonlit desert oasis caught by a breeze, the dreams of my childhood have now been realised. When I wrap my naked body in this lush, extravagant foil I feel transformed, and I wander the streets, mostly at night, fighting crime. While my official position as a member of the police has been revoked as a direct result of these actions, my current life as a robot vigilante is far more rewarding. Dreams really can come true.
Thankyou, Vogue Aluminium Foil. 5 stars. Highly recommended.
My Transformation is Complete, December 3, 2012
By ByronicHero
This review is from: Accoutrements Horse Head
Mask (Toy)
“It is day 87 and the horses have accepted me as
one of their own. I have grown to understand and respect their gentle ways. Now
I question everything I thought I once knew and fear I am no longer capable of
following through with my primary objective. I know that those who sent me will
not relent. They will send others in my place... But we will be ready.”
DO NOT PUT ON KNOB AND BOLLOCKS, 24 Jan. 2012
By Andrew
This review is from: Veet for Men Hair Removal
Gel Cream 200 ml (Personal Care)
“Being a loose cannon who does not play by the
rules the first thing I did was ignore the warning and smear this all over my
knob and bollocks. The bollocks I knew and loved are gone now. In their place
is a maroon coloured bag of agony which sends stabs of pain up my body every
time it grazes against my thigh or an article of clothing. I am suffering so
that you don't have to. Heed my lesson. DO NOT PUT ON KNOB AND BOLLOCKS.
(I am giving this product a 5 because despite the fact that I think my bollocks might fall off, they are now completely hairless.)”
(I am giving this product a 5 because despite the fact that I think my bollocks might fall off, they are now completely hairless.)”
As the above illustrate, the
feedback that you give says as much about you as it provides constructive
support or advice to the recipient. It all comes down to personal motivations,
values and desires. In my opinion, Feedback, that is appreciated and valued, would happen all the time if both parties had the right attitude and
intentions.
For the record, I welcome feedback and will take it in the spirit it is intended.
