Connections as Emotion

Charleston and Geneva may not have too many things in common - or maybe they do. I have never been to either. The world is getting smaller not so much thanks to the technology that allows us to connect more easily with each other, that is a medium. What makes the world smaller as in 'easier to put your arms around' is the humanity that comes through when we do use technology to connect.

I met Claudia on Twitter, the modern-day matching site for like-minded people. She surprised me with a post that has really shifted my thinking on connection - emotion as connection. Take the time to visit with her incredible photography as well. As I'm writing this, Geneva is enjoying its night time, and I am enjoying the serene landscape of this Swiss beauty. I have some photographs taken by my mother in the same or similar angles.

Cheryl Smithem of Charleston, SC has been linking a lot lately and I have taken some time to read her thinking on branding and social media. What I like most about her blog so far is the image of her laughing on what looks like a beach and how she describes herself - connection maven.

I have not met these ladies but through their writing and images - yet, the contacts have given me already a lot more than your causal conversation. That is because of their content. What if connections were emotion? Would that explain why we are so keen on making all those connections - on social networks, on Twitter, on blogs - for that special feeling of being seen and heard and part of things? You count... your vote (of confidence, of interest, of trust, of love) counts.

Next week we will talk about content marketing.

[image courtesy of my mother]

Comments

[Matt J McDonald]

Well the obvious next step is to come to Charleston. It would make a great winter trip when it's 30 degrees and sleeting at home!

[Heather Rast]

Hi, Valeria. I follow you on Twitter and saw your mention about this post. It intrigues me on a number of levels.

I've always been a firm believer that the strongest bonds (connections) are those built upon emotionally compelling reasons--whether an invitation or opportunity to support, respond, comply, or try. When a person (I most often talk/blog about brands here, but in my opinion the theory applies in both cases) gives another person an emotionally satisfying touch (can be as simple as a smile, a small gesture, or as you suggest, a pleasing photo), that person feels a little more complete, and is more likely to feel more strongly about them.

Human Factors International, a well-renowned usability organization, talks about their PET model--Persuasion, Emotion, Trust. Their model can effectively be used by brands to connect with their consumers and forge strong relationships.

I write about this connection/emotion thing, too, if you're interested: http://insightsandingenuity.com/tag/emotional-connection/

Thanks for the opportunity to comment. Heather

[Carolyn Ann]

I *love* the picture. It is abstract, and natural - the play of light, the negative spaces between the trees, the branches and the way the colors change, making the entire image uncertain, it's wonderful. Reminds me, quite frankly [sic], of Frank Kapra. Or a Stephen Sondheim song. :-) (It's too cheerful a picture for Cole Porter, or Frank Zappa, however, but those two do come to mind.)

(My wife says it reminds her of the Yellow Brick Road. :-) )

The figures in the distance provide a mystery, and a sense of scale. One that leads to a conclusion about time, and life, and with your text - about what the connection to another might be.

Connections aren't pure emotion, surely? There is a satisfaction, an entire human experience in the "connection". We do make connections based on emotion, but we also make them in a myriad other ways, too. Commonality of experience is one, for instance. (I got to know many motorcyclists on my cross-country trip, for instance.)

An appeal to the emotional has (surely?) been soundly rejected, I think, with the election of Barack Obama. "Hope" not being an emotion, but a powerful sentiment. I can't help but think that people are tired of being manipulated, emotionally. Surely anything that deliberately plucks the heartstrings is a manipulation of our emotions? (The desperate puppy, the impoverished child, the warrior in need of support, and so on. We have become cynical of emotion; we have become, I fear, a little too smug, too complacent, about both the appealing and the appeal.)

A well chosen image to support your point; although I can't agree with you completely. Connections might become emotional, but they nearly always start within a commonality.

My apologies, it took a few goes, and I still couldn't voice my concerns.

Inarticulately,
Carolyn Ann

[Valeria Maltoni]

@Matt - I will make sure I do, if the opportunity presents itself.

@Heather - a genuine gesture that is emotionally satisfying does create the conditions for a connection. I was thinking also about how when we feel a connection with someone or something, emotion comes through.

@Carolyn Ann - my affinity with mom's picture (I put it on my wall at home, too) comes from the story of majesty of the trees that encapsulate the potential dream/inspiration. There's also the proportion I life between people and stretching upwards. I agree, connections aren't just emotion. Emotion is more likely to come through a connection - to someone or something. Let's hope 'hope' is not just a sentiment or an aspiration, but the catalyst for true transformation. People *are* tired of feeling manipulated by anything, hence the need for genuine connection. Some things are better felt than articulated - it took me a lifetime to just get to see what I feel in that photograph ;-) Good departure and food for thought here, thank you.

[Allan]

How genuine can a conversation be on Twitter? Does the small limit on characters have any effect on authenticity? In the old days, weren't the most genuine conversations the ones that took the longest?

[Claudia]

Valeria,

Now I understand why I was receiving so many notices of new people following me on Twitter this week-end (while sleeping :-))!

Thank you so much for having carried further this idea and having given your personal colours to it. "
I feel humanly connected to you - "the humanity that comes through when we do use technology to connect."

I am glad to see the conversation that takes shape from your post, it strenghtens me in my intention to blog more. This is your gift.