Most Brits are fine with the technology used for work going virtual, a new report from Zoom has found – however some things, like weddings or festivals, they’d prefer stay offline.
Polling 8,000 consumers for the report, including 1,000 from the UK, Zoom found that almost four-fifths (79 percent) think everything will have a virtual component in the post-pandemic world. Most Brits (74 percent) want hybrid working, virtual interactions with the government and public services, as well as virtual education.
But weddings, real estate and property tours and cultural events, they’d rather keep offline and in-person.
Emotion seems to be playing a major part in propelling virtual reality. Out of the three biggest benefits, two are – to combat loneliness and to improve emotional health. The third one is a bit more pragmatic – giving everyone an equal opportunity to participate. Other notable benefits include being able to stay at home, feeling safer, as well as having access to people they didn’t have access to, before the pandemic.
There’s a flip side to the coin, as well, the report found, as most people felt a lack of personal, or interpersonal connection, while many struggled with access to materials and resources.
“Since the start of the pandemic, video conferencing has helped people stay connected and stave off feelings of loneliness and isolation,” says Phil Perry, Head of UK & Ireland at Zoom.
“But that doesn’t mean it’s the sole solution for every activity. Aspects like forging a level of personal connection are difficult to achieve virtually at the same level as people would in person. Clearly, the demand for a hybrid approach will pave the future, with face-to-face interactions enabling deeper relationships and personal experiences, and virtual components maintaining the convenience of connecting with colleagues and loved ones wherever they are.”
In other words, virtual will find its place in the world of the future, but it will hardly take over every aspect of our lives.
