{"id":8629,"date":"2021-10-28T11:35:20","date_gmt":"2021-10-28T11:35:20","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/TheNextWeb=1371338"},"modified":"2021-10-28T11:35:20","modified_gmt":"2021-10-28T11:35:20","slug":"we-asked-slack-why-it-plays-smooth-jazz-in-lonely-huddles","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.londonchiropracter.com\/?p=8629","title":{"rendered":"We asked Slack why it plays smooth jazz in lonely Huddles"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>These days, Slack and other professional communication software is as ubiquitous as email. This means that when something changes, it\u2019s a Big Deal. For me, at least<\/p>\n<p>Something Slack rolled out in the last several months is called&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/thenextweb.com\/news\/slack-tools-huddle-live-audio-video-messages\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Huddles<\/a>, a live audio feature that\u2019s effectively <a href=\"https:\/\/thenextweb.com\/news\/everything-everyone-should-be-clubhouse-clone\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">a Clubhouse clone<\/a>. The idea is rather than having a full blown meeting, you have a Huddle instead, which is an&nbsp;audio-only discussion with everyone in that specific channel or chat.<\/p>\n<p>At the time of its release, the only mystery to me was who the hell would use this feature? Well, it turns out\u2026 me.<\/p>\n<p>Not long after this realization, a bigger mystery reared its head: when I was the final person on a Huddle, smooth jazz started playing.<\/p>\n<p>The sultry saxophone licks begin, as they always do, with this notification:<\/p>\n<figure class=\"post-image post-mediaBleed aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1371350 js-lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/10\/Slack-Huddles-notification.png\" alt=\"Slack Huddles notification\" width=\"584\" height=\"530\" sizes=\"(max-width: 584px) 100vw, 584px\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/10\/Slack-Huddles-notification.png 584w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/10\/Slack-Huddles-notification-231x210.png 231w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/10\/Slack-Huddles-notification-149x135.png 149w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/10\/Slack-Huddles-notification-298x270.png 298w\"><figcaption><a href=\"https:\/\/thenextweb.com\/news\/slack-why-play-smooth-jazz-huddles-analysis#\" data-url=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?url=https%3A%2F%2Feditorial.thenextweb.com%2Fplugged%2F2021%2F10%2F28%2Fslack-why-play-smooth-jazz-huddles-analysis%2F&amp;via=thenextweb&amp;related=thenextweb&amp;text=Check out this picture on: This is my version of the burning bush.\" data-title=\"Share This is my version of the burning bush. on Twitter\" data-width=\"685\" data-height=\"500\" class=\"post-image-share popitup\" title=\"Share This is my version of the burning bush. on Twitter\"><i class=\"icon icon--inline icon--twitter--dark\"><\/i><\/a>This is my version of the burning bush.<\/figcaption><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1371350\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/10\/Slack-Huddles-notification.png\" alt=\"Slack Huddles notification\" width=\"584\" height=\"530\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/10\/Slack-Huddles-notification.png 584w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/10\/Slack-Huddles-notification-231x210.png 231w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/10\/Slack-Huddles-notification-149x135.png 149w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/10\/Slack-Huddles-notification-298x270.png 298w\"><\/noscript><\/figure>\n<p>Then, with little warning, this sensual sound bursts into shirtless life:<\/p>\n<p><!--[if lt IE 9]><script>document.createElement('audio');<\/script><![endif]--><audio class=\"wp-audio-shortcode\" id=\"audio-1371338-1\" preload=\"none\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"audio\/wav\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/10\/slack-smooth-jazz-sounds.wav?_=1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/10\/slack-smooth-jazz-sounds.wav\">https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/10\/slack-smooth-jazz-sounds.wav<\/a><\/audio><\/p>\n<p>I had to investigate. I couldn\u2019t let the mystery of Slack\u2019s mall jazz expulsion lie. So, friends, that\u2019s exactly what I did.<\/p>\n<h2>An examination of the appearance of smooth jazz on Slack Huddles<\/h2>\n<p>Thankfully, I didn\u2019t have to go very far to get some answers. In fact, I just rang up Anna Niess, Slack\u2019s Senior Staff Product Designer. Bet all those hardboiled detectives wish they could solve their quandaries as simply.<\/p>\n<p>The first question I put to Niess was a simple one\u2026&nbsp;<em>why?<\/em><\/p>\n<p>She told me that the music on Huddles was to \u201ckindly let people know\u201d they were the last person in the chat. Many people multitask while using Huddles and auditory signals are an important way of grabbing someone\u2019s attention.<\/p>\n<p>When the music plays, the mic is also muted, something Niess said was to create \u201csafety, comfort, and choice.\u201d Niess didn\u2019t mention immaculate vibes, but I\u2019m certain we were both thinking it.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"post-image post-mediaBleed aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1371353 js-lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/10\/kenny-g-smooth-jazz.jpeg\" alt=\"kenny g smooth jazz\" width=\"1640\" height=\"1093\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1640px) 100vw, 1640px\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/10\/kenny-g-smooth-jazz.jpeg 1640w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/10\/kenny-g-smooth-jazz-280x187.jpeg 280w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/10\/kenny-g-smooth-jazz-203x135.jpeg 203w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/10\/kenny-g-smooth-jazz-405x270.jpeg 405w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/10\/kenny-g-smooth-jazz-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/10\/kenny-g-smooth-jazz-796x531.jpeg 796w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/10\/kenny-g-smooth-jazz-1592x1061.jpeg 1592w\"><figcaption><a href=\"https:\/\/thenextweb.com\/news\/slack-why-play-smooth-jazz-huddles-analysis#\" data-url=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?url=https%3A%2F%2Feditorial.thenextweb.com%2Fplugged%2F2021%2F10%2F28%2Fslack-why-play-smooth-jazz-huddles-analysis%2F&amp;via=thenextweb&amp;related=thenextweb&amp;text=Check out this picture on: For your enjoyment, here\u2019s a bonus picture of Smooth Jazz King, Kenny G.\" data-title=\"Share For your enjoyment, here\u2019s a bonus picture of Smooth Jazz King, Kenny G. on Twitter\" data-width=\"685\" data-height=\"500\" class=\"post-image-share popitup\" title=\"Share For your enjoyment, here\u2019s a bonus picture of Smooth Jazz King, Kenny G. on Twitter\"><i class=\"icon icon--inline icon--twitter--dark\"><\/i><\/a>For your enjoyment, here\u2019s a bonus picture of Smooth Jazz King, Kenny G.<\/figcaption><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1371353\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/10\/kenny-g-smooth-jazz.jpeg\" alt=\"kenny g smooth jazz\" width=\"1640\" height=\"1093\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/10\/kenny-g-smooth-jazz.jpeg 1640w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/10\/kenny-g-smooth-jazz-280x187.jpeg 280w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/10\/kenny-g-smooth-jazz-203x135.jpeg 203w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/10\/kenny-g-smooth-jazz-405x270.jpeg 405w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/10\/kenny-g-smooth-jazz-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/10\/kenny-g-smooth-jazz-796x531.jpeg 796w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/10\/kenny-g-smooth-jazz-1592x1061.jpeg 1592w\"><\/noscript><\/figure>\n<p>The design rationale is clear, but I was still&nbsp;confused (but not complaining) about the music choice. Why smooth jazz?<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt felt like a moment to introduce something fun and light-hearted,\u201d Niess said, and the office elevator-stylings of this music was not only amusing, but also a bit, well, soothing.<\/p>\n<p>The track itself also has an interesting history. The team that created Slack originally worked on a video game called <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Glitch_(video_game)\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">Glitch<\/a> \u2014 and the song is lifted directly from that title.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" readability=\"11.668674698795\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">Funny detail: that was composed\/performed by <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/DannyboySimmons?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">@DannyboySimmons<\/a> for the failed MMO Glitch, the original project of the team that made Slack.<\/p>\n<p>It was for a \u201cwaiting quest\u201d (where you just sat around waiting) as part of the Bureaucratic Arts skill. (Did I mention the game failed?)<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Stewart Butterfield (@stewart) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/stewart\/status\/1438895825413832714?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">September 17, 2021<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>All this is well and good, but what happens when I tire of smooth jazz? What if I want some blastbeats or death metal to signal that I\u2019m alone in a Slack Huddle?<\/p>\n<p>Sadly, Niess simply told me the team will take this \u201cinto consideration.\u201d<\/p>\n<p> <a href=\"https:\/\/thenextweb.com\/news\/slack-why-play-smooth-jazz-huddles-analysis\">Source<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>These days, Slack and other professional communication software is as ubiquitous as email. This means that when something changes, it\u2019s a Big Deal. For me, at least Something Slack rolled out in&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":8630,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.londonchiropracter.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8629"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.londonchiropracter.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.londonchiropracter.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.londonchiropracter.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.londonchiropracter.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=8629"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.londonchiropracter.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8629\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.londonchiropracter.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/8630"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.londonchiropracter.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=8629"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.londonchiropracter.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=8629"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.londonchiropracter.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=8629"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}