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Food messaging: Using an edible medium for social messaging

Jun Wei, Xiaojuan Ma, Shengdong Zhao

Research output: Chapters, Conference Papers, Creative and Literary WorksRGC 32 - Refereed conference paper (with host publication)peer-review

Abstract

Food is more than just a means of survival; it is also a form of communication. In this paper, we investigate the potential of food as a social message carrier (a.k.a., food messaging). To investigate how people accept, use, and perceive food messaging, we conducted exploratory interviews, a field study, and follow-up interviews over four weeks in a large information technology (IT) company. We collected 904 messages sent by 343 users. Our results suggest strong acceptance of food messaging as an alternative message channel. Further analysis implies that food messaging embodies characteristics of both text messaging and gifting. It is preferred in close relationships for its evocation of positive emotions. As the first field study on edible social messaging, our empirical findings provide valuable insights into the uniqueness of food as a message carrier and its capabilities to promote greater social bonding. Copyright © 2014 ACM.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationCHI 2014: One of a CHInd - Conference Proceedings, 32nd Annual ACM Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems
PublisherAssociation for Computing Machinery
Pages2873-2882
ISBN (Print)9781450324731
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2014
Externally publishedYes
Event32nd Annual ACM Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems, CHI 2014 - Toronto, ON, Canada
Duration: 26 Apr 20141 May 2014

Publication series

NameConference on Human Factors in Computing Systems - Proceedings

Conference

Conference32nd Annual ACM Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems, CHI 2014
PlaceCanada
CityToronto, ON
Period26/04/141/05/14

Bibliographical note

Publication details (e.g. title, author(s), publication statuses and dates) are captured on an “AS IS” and “AS AVAILABLE” basis at the time of record harvesting from the data source. Suggestions for further amendments or supplementary information can be sent to [email protected].

Research Keywords

  • Affective communication
  • Edible social messaging
  • Field study
  • Food HCI
  • Food messaging
  • Food printer

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