Igloo Jiggle: [ig-loo jig-uhl] an audience’s allergic reaction to a presenter’s use of excess air conditioning to overcome nervous sweating.
Let’s talk about humanity, liability, and wakefulness. Did you know that hypothermia can take hold of a human body in 30-45 minutes? And that the average presentation is longer than an hour? Common treatments for hypothermia include reflective blankets, warm baths, and tea, coffee, or soup, but to prevent damage to internal organs or extremities these are best administered as soon as possible. If you only budgeted for 5 minute breaks during the presentation, you’re in for a world of hurt.
Now imagine what sort of authoritarian, tyrannical land you would have to live in to find a legal system that openly allowed presenters to subject humans to such frigidity. Such disregard for basic humanity is truly reprehensible, and far too many presenters get away with such crimes every year. Of course, if an audience member does lose a toe to frostbite, whom do you think they’re coming for? That’s right. You.
The Igloo Jiggle is one of the first signs of hypothermia, followed by blue lips, disorientation, and finally fetal crying at the foot of an oak tree. You can’t miss it: an entire group of people is shivering at once. God forbid the vibration frequencies become resonant: Synchronized Igloo Jiggling has brought down more than a few venues in the past. Again, think of the liability.
If you’re thinking audience members are more likely to fall asleep in a warm, cozy environment, you’re wrong. Audience members are more likely to fall asleep when you are completely dull and boring. Make the presentation more interesting, and keep the thermostat at a humane level.
The Takeaway: It’s a Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs thing: people can’t think about the information you’re giving them until their basic needs are met. If you notice discomfort in the room, remedy it before presenting new information.
