Anecdotally, the Slow Clap occurs when a group of people get enough people clapping at a regulated pace; slowly, this "group clap" speeds up, eventually disintegrating into full on applause.
While this technique is well known, and culturally prominent, I am not interested in its origins. Instead, I want to know: How does a slow clap work? or more specifically, whether there are universally (but perhaps subconsciously) accepted constants in all slow claps.
First, we will examine the univeral slow clap variables, assumed present in every slow clap.
Variable: Size of the clapping mass of people. This largely depends on the size of the crowd and the size of the clapping mass, but most of the time 10 people or more can start a decent-sized slow clap.
Variable: Number of Starting Claps required for acceleration. It takes time to get enough other people to join in the clap. Some slow claps seem to start after only a few claps, while others falter and never even slow clap stardom. This would seem hard to control, and is especially dependent on the surrounding crowd.
Variable: Initial speed of clapping. I think this is better defined as the initial length of time between claps. Perhaps a follow up article to this one will be a proposal for a gargantuan slow clap, with an initial length of time between claps of one day (or even further, one year). For the purposes of this examination, however, I don't know that I have ever heard any slow claps start slower than 5 seconds or so between claps.
The remaining data details the crescendo period from achieving a clapping mass to the descent into full on applause. Lacking a crowd to test, I programmed my own simulation models into a computer. The following 3D rendering of how slow clapping works also incorporates newly tested algorithms for "group recognition facial approximation" (the sideward glances towards the end). Quicktime 7 Required
After running the 3D simulation, I analyzed the resulting data, creating the following chart:
You can see that the first 6 or so claps are at regular intervals of about 1 second (still in the initial stage of slow clapping). Below 1 second between clap, however, things begin to speed up quickly, and after only about 4-5 seconds, the slow clap has broken down into full on applause.
What does this mean?
Ignoring intial claps and post-slow clap applause leaves "The Clap Zone." Though it can't be corroborated without a slow clap I would predict that when the Time Between Claps goes below 1 second, it will only take 4-8 seconds before full on applause
Unfortunately, I lack the wide range of data that could prove or improve upon this theory, but I plan to measure slow clap environments, accumulating as much data as possible. If you would like to help Decode the Slow Clap, the constants you should try and measure the following: 1.Approximate Time Between Claps (pre Clap Zone)
2.The time it takes to result in applause after 1 second between claps
Any other data (# of clap starters, initial time between claps, etc.) will be useful as well. The results of our study could have an immense effect upon how we all go about our daily lives; more importantly, if this study ever receives any mainstream attention, we will know the exact means and method of engendering appreciation.
