One-bit message

A one-bit message is a type of communication that has no personalized or specified content, and as such transmits only a single binary bit of information. It signals an intent and a thought, but does not specify what it is. Marc Andreessen describes "one-bit communication" as having no content other than that it exists.[1] Examples of one-bit messages in the real world include the sound of car horns, police sirens,[1] and “open” signs.[1] Telephone calls which are deliberately terminated before being answered are also an example of one-bit communication.

In probability

One-bit messages can be used to communicate the outcome of situations with two potential outcomes, such as a coin toss.[2]

Online messaging

In the online world one bit messages solve a set of communication initiative problems:

  • Fear of initiation: “How should I kick off the conversation? It’s a daunting task.”
  • Fear of rejection: “What if the other person replies “sorry, I'm in the middle of something”?”
  • Fear of inconveniencing someone: “A messenger shows that the other person is available, but maybe he is actually busy.”
  • Fear of being ignored: “What if I message her, and she doesn’t respond or goes offline immediately?”
  • Topic overload: “So many topics to talk about, which one should I start with?”
  • Lack of topic: “I simply want to say to my friend that I thought of her, without anything specific to say.”
  • Fear of a conversation of unpredictable length: “I have time for a short chat, but how do I cut off if the conversation develops?”
  • Unwillingness to type: “I’m on my mobile, and don’t want to type”
  • Fear of follow-up: “What if the person I message will want to meet? I don’t want to meet him.”

There are several platforms that enable sending one bit messages including Yo and the Facebook poke.

References
  1. "Marc Andreessen Defends Yo App - Business Insider". Business Insider. 19 June 2014. Retrieved 7 March 2015.
  2. Belzer, Jack (1978). Encyclopedia of Computer Science and Technology: Generative epistemology to Laplace transforms (1 ed.). New York, NY [u.a.]: Dekker. p. 391. ISBN 0824722590.
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