Transcript Can You Hear Me Now?

Can You Hear Me Now?
The Memorialization of Interpersonal Relationships in Voicemail
Rationale
Voicemails capture an ephemeral experience resonated
through sound; the role of sound in memory has been underresearched (Street, 2015). Voice artifacts trace back to
Thomas Edison’s 1877 sound recording technology.
Voicemail is an interesting blend of both asynchronous and
synchronous communication mediums. Unlike face-to-face
communication, voicemail senders can contemplate what
their message will be before recording it, yet often experience
mental discomfort and performance anxiety about leaving the
voicemail (e.g., Wayne, 2014).
Voice is part of a person similar to a lock of hair. The sense
of memory provided by sound is shaped by both ends of the
process, by the recording and by the auditory experience
later.
The power of the voice -- preserves part
of a physical person beyond the visual
representation…it’s temporal. Even if it
is the voice of a dead person - for the
time it plays we have a feeling that that
the person lives again, we regain their
presence.
Voicemails may elicit happy moments,
provoke thoughts from past lovers, evoke
memories of departed family members, and
prompt recall of forgotten inconsequential
communications. Sound memories unlock
emotions, such as nostalgia and rumination.
Research Question
What function do voicemails afford?
Dr. Leah LeFebvre
University of Wyoming
Method
Utilizing focus groups with collegiate emerging adults
(N = 14), this study explored themes associated with
voicemail preservation. We utilized a constant comparative
method. We developed themes through open, axial, and
constant comparative analysis (Glaser, 1965) to identify
overarching themes.
Voicemail  Retain family and friends / business info
Overall, voicemail is taken for granted, yet appreciated.
Three themes emerged:
Memorialization, Nostalgia, and Rumination
Memorialization/Immortalization
 Present relationship significance
 Salient relationship moments
 Possible impending relationship dissolution
“Never be that age again.”
“I like to have the memory. Pretty morbid but
you don’t know when someone is going to die
and you want to keep their voice.”
“I’m more morbid. I have to keep one of each
person in case they die. I want to hear their
voice.”
Nostalgic  Positively Memories
Rumination  Negative Memories
 Remembering the phenomenal experience
 Longing for the person and/or relationship
 Commemorating the euphoric involvement
Implications
Sensory Connections = Memory Meaning
Ephemeral yet Temporary
Retainer – Eradicator Spectrum
Mobile Memorabilia
Mr. Ryan Rasner
Louisiana State University