Leaders | Through the keyhole

Videoconferencing etiquette

Working and entertaining online pose new challenges—and require new thinking

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AROUND THE world, coronavirus lockdowns have driven professional and social life out of the physical world and into the virtual realm. Though self-isolation means no longer seeing friends and colleagues in person, it has opened a sudden and alarming window on their private, domestic selves. Many readers, videoconferencing for hours every day, will find themselves unexpectedly familiar with other people’s kitchen layouts, wall decorations and interior design—depending, that is, on how they position their devices. (Never have so many ceilings been broadcast to so many for so long.)

This article appeared in the Leaders section of the print edition under the headline "Through the keyhole"

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