[Fwd: 16:9 Aspect Ratio]

[Dave Doherty]

> That doesn't necessarily imply *listening* to four things at once, just 
> monitoring them to the point of determining which one requires immediate 
> attention.

Agreed.  I was thinking about actively listening and comprehending.

The cleanest scenario I can think of is a quad-split video conference in 
which all four participants are on screen simultaneously. They can be moving 
about, gesturing, scratching, whatever without being overly disturbing.  But 
if all four speak at once, it is impossible - in real time - to sort out 
what they are all saying. With really good digital processing applied to an 
excellent recording, you might be able to sort it out afterwards.

-d



----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Garrett Wollman" <wollman@bimajority.org>
To: "Dave Doherty" <dave@skywaves.net>
Cc: <boston-radio-interest@bostonradio.org>
Sent: Friday, January 25, 2008 12:52 AM
Subject: Re: [Fwd: 16:9 Aspect Ratio]


> <<On Thu, 24 Jan 2008 22:52:14 -0500, "Dave Doherty" <dave@skywaves.net> 
> said:
>
>> Absent earbuds, we can only listen to one aural source at a time. With
>> earbuds, and with long-term practice, we may be able to actively monitor 
>> as
>> many as two aural channels.
>
> Obviously you haven't traveled with Mr. Fybush.
>
> I think it's possible to handle about four distinct sources, provided
> they are all physically separated.  That doesn't necessarily imply
> *listening* to four things at once, just monitoring them to the point
> of determining which one requires immediate attention.  My own hearing
> isn't good enough to do more than three, sometimes two.  (I also have
> trouble keeping up a conversation in a noisy restaurant, for the same
> reason.)
>
> -GAWollman
>
>