Remote Communication Technologies

Technology makes distance interaction possible in a way not possible a few years ago.

Sunny Nash
Author- Journalist
Editorial Project Manager

Interviewing is especially useful to me as a journalist, oral historian and author, and especially difficult during disasters and pandemics. Covid-19 made me aware that I could continue to produce my work in a virtual world, even with the nation virtually shut down. Since then, I have developed practical methods to teach others in ways of communicating with teams and operating seamlessly. 
However, this is not the case for many who do not have the training and equipment to transition seamlessly to digital existence. Populations do exist that only use technology as consumers, but not as innovators and producers. 
Now that I know I can survive in near isolation and continue my study, work and collaborate, I may be able to help others make the change of mindset. The mindset is the key to conquering obstacles that oppress populations, causing people to think they are incapable of changing themselves and their world. Because people seem permanently connected to each other and to their devices means that becoming innovators is more and more part of human survival. 

In the past, some thought face-to-face meetings and interviews were required to facilitating collaboration. Technology makes live meetings and interviews seem passé or at least nonessential in our remote world. Relying on interviews as  essential to our practice is possible with technology, whereas , face-to-face meetings, in some instances, are optional, if not .  discouraged, avoided and prohibited to save money getting the job done in spite of budgets cuts and demotions.. 

 

My state of professional normalcy has been transformed since the Pandemic altered my habits and everyone else's. However, my productivity is heightened without the hustle-bustle of constant travel. I watch news broadcasts of airport traffic and smile to myself sitting comfortably at home. 

My grandmother, Bigmama, always told me, when there seems to be nothing promising on the horizon, look  again. Unfortunately, there are those who are not tech-savvy and do not see opportunities on the horizon. Check out my book: 

Bigmama Didn’t Shop At Woolworth’s.

David Caruso, Director, 
Center for Oral History,
Science History 
Institute, Philadelphia

I received my Oral History Certification at the Science History Institute in Philadelphia. Instructor and Director of the Institute’s Center for Oral History, David Caruso, emphasized research methodologies, legal forms, technique, meticulous transcription, archival preservation and technology. My training with Professor Caruso sent me thinking. I have always used remote recording in my journalism practice. I started my broadcast career in radio. The conventional telephone was my primary tool. How remote was that?

At Shure Audio Institute, I studied acoustics, amplification, microphonic reduction, sound design and digital audio systems, earning certifications in microphone technology, wireless technology, networking, and information technology (IT) for audio-video professionals. I decided to apply these skills, my radio experience and training toward creating an affordable method to control that invisible enemy of any recording--microphonics, better known as distracting, unwanted noise, undesirable in any production. In fact, I spent decades in soundproof cubicles of recording studios, radio stations and television editing suites, acquiring technical skills in sound design while performing as a studio musician, recording engineer, radio news broadcaster and television producer.

Many of my oral history projects involve senior members of ethnic groups that are underrepresented in oral history archives due to deteriorating race relations in America, which  systematically ignores human qualities. These stories go untold by untrained, ill-equipped storytellers, and lack of access to oral history repositories. So, you see the myth? Even though everyone with a cell phone may think they can be oral historians, are unfamiliar with oral history methodologies of the academic discipline. 

Perfecting audio or other production techniques takes time, training, new skill acquisition and periodic equipment upgrades. There is also the element of change that must be accommodated as technology advances and new pandemics descend. I try to keep up with technology advances and transformations to improve my practice without breaking my bank.

© 2026 Sunny Nash. All Rights Reserved Worldwide.