Much has been discussed about digital communications and the lack of connection to the other. Science Daily shares a study that reveals a way to make social media more connected and less isolating:
Hearing the heartbeat of someone you are talking to gives the same feeling of personal contact as looking each other in the eye, according to new research. The research focuses on improving human contact when using digital communication channels.
… Seeing each other is an important factor, and being aware of the other person’s heartbeat strengthens the feeling of personal contact still further. This doesn’t have to be through sound, Joris Janssen explains. The heartbeat can also be transmitted by a beating (tactile) feeling, for example by wearing a special ring, which has the same effect. So he doesn’t expect heartbeats to actually be heard during conversations in the future.