What in the Lionel Ritchie is going on here?

Recently, I presented some campaign work to a group of 6 people in an ad agency via a Zoom call. It was the first presentation, and the person in charge of the campaign was not in the meeting, but was going to listen to the recording.

I started the meeting with my camera ON, but since nobody else had their cameras on, I turned mine off, and then launched into a 10-minute read-through of my ideas.

When I was done, I concluded with: “Ok, I’m going to stop talking now and would love everybody’s thoughts and feedback.”

…
...
...
...

Deathly silence.

I was Adele. I was Lionel Ritchie.

“Hello?”

One by one, the mics were unmuted:

Person 1: Sorry, I had to hop off for a second to take a client call.
Person 2: I lost you a bit in the middle there, sorry, my internet connection is not great today.
Person 3: Um. Um. Um.

It dawned on me - I had been speaking to myself for 10 minutes. I think everybody thought everyone else would engage, so they could "check out".

To say I was irritated would be an understatement.

I think there’s only one way to hold an online meeting and that is ALL cameras ON. That way everybody is forced to be present - and to be accountable for being present. It encourages attention, engagement, interaction and connection.

Otherwise, it's just too easy for people to reply to emails, play fetch with their new puppy or paint their toenails.

I think the quality of the meeting plummets if cameras are off.

What do you think?