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That's also the one interesting argument against podcasts. That they take the last remaining moments of doing nothing (vacuuming, doing the dishes, commuting,..

by ThouYS 7y ago

That's also the one interesting argument against podcasts. That they take the last remaining moments of doing nothing (vacuuming, doing the dishes, commuting,...) Especially interesting since one of the most popular podcasts is also run by a very reflected meditation proponent (Sam Harris).

qwertox 7y ago
It's funny you mention this, I've been thinking about this lately. I make a 1.1 hour sporty bike ride every day and listen to podcasts while doing so, but I'm often asking myself if I should just not do that and instead listen to myself. The same goes for falling asleep, where I used to listen to podcasts but they got replaced by YouTube videos which I just listen to. I remember the time when I dealt with my thoughts before falling asleep. That was maybe 10 years ago. And kids nowadays will probably never get to know that feeling.
- porknubbins 7y ago
  I’ve never been able to “deal with my thoughts” and also get sleep so since I was able to read I consume fiction before bed to wipe the mental slate clean. Before it was books, now mostly audiobooks or occasionally music so I can keep it dark for my wife. If I can’t do this its usually 1-3 hrs of brain processing worries from the day, next day etc. There must be others like me who can’t just turn off instantly.
  - varrock 7y ago
    You're not alone. Sometimes my day continues in bed. I'll even think of things I need to do the next day, turn over to my phone, and write it down so I don't forget. I, too, need something to distract me in order to really wind down.
  - endtime 7y ago
    FWIW, I'm very similar. I find that the light pollution of a fully dimmed screen in night mode, reading light text on a black background, is negligible. (FWIW I mostly read in Pocket.) That amount of light doesn't keep me awake, let alone my wife. I think headphones would disturb me much more.
- rb808 7y ago
  I'd think you'd be better off listening for trucks. :)
jonfw 7y ago
One thing I like doing with podcasts is pausing them often to consider my own position. Form my own argument- given the new information I've just obtained. Often times the wheels just keep turning and I'll forget I was even listening to a podcast, and spend the majority of the time listening to myself think. I absolutely agree with the argument you mentioned with short term tasks like vacuuming, dishes, etc. If you don't have time to get fully invested (over an hour) it's much better to just listen to your own thoughts.
- brador 7y ago
  Most podcasts can be easily listened to at 2x speed. You quickly realise how useless many of them are.
FreezerburnV 7y ago
Depends on the podcast maybe? The only ones I currently listen to are D&D podcasts so it’s not like I’m learning anything. It usually makes me want to do work on my own D&D campaign and be creative instead, if I’m not just enjoying listening to it.
rimliu 7y ago
I enjoy long walks (30-100km) so they take me from 4 to 18 hours. I see them as a kind of meditation so I don't listen to any podcasts or even music during that time. I feel it would be wrong somehow.

by ThouYS 7y ago

qwertox 7y ago

It's funny you mention this, I've been thinking about this lately. I make a 1.1 hour sporty bike ride every day and listen to podcasts while doing so, but I'm often asking myself if I should just not do that and instead listen to myself. The same goes for falling asleep, where I used to listen to podcasts but they got replaced by YouTube videos which I just listen to. I remember the time when I dealt with my thoughts before falling asleep. That was maybe 10 years ago. And kids nowadays will probably never get to know that feeling.

porknubbins 7y ago
I’ve never been able to “deal with my thoughts” and also get sleep so since I was able to read I consume fiction before bed to wipe the mental slate clean. Before it was books, now mostly audiobooks or occasionally music so I can keep it dark for my wife. If I can’t do this its usually 1-3 hrs of brain processing worries from the day, next day etc. There must be others like me who can’t just turn off instantly.
- varrock 7y ago
  You're not alone. Sometimes my day continues in bed. I'll even think of things I need to do the next day, turn over to my phone, and write it down so I don't forget. I, too, need something to distract me in order to really wind down.
- endtime 7y ago
  FWIW, I'm very similar. I find that the light pollution of a fully dimmed screen in night mode, reading light text on a black background, is negligible. (FWIW I mostly read in Pocket.) That amount of light doesn't keep me awake, let alone my wife. I think headphones would disturb me much more.
rb808 7y ago
I'd think you'd be better off listening for trucks. :)

jonfw 7y ago

One thing I like doing with podcasts is pausing them often to consider my own position. Form my own argument- given the new information I've just obtained. Often times the wheels just keep turning and I'll forget I was even listening to a podcast, and spend the majority of the time listening to myself think. I absolutely agree with the argument you mentioned with short term tasks like vacuuming, dishes, etc. If you don't have time to get fully invested (over an hour) it's much better to just listen to your own thoughts.

brador 7y ago
Most podcasts can be easily listened to at 2x speed. You quickly realise how useless many of them are.

FreezerburnV 7y ago

Depends on the podcast maybe? The only ones I currently listen to are D&D podcasts so it’s not like I’m learning anything. It usually makes me want to do work on my own D&D campaign and be creative instead, if I’m not just enjoying listening to it.

rimliu 7y ago

I enjoy long walks (30-100km) so they take me from 4 to 18 hours. I see them as a kind of meditation so I don't listen to any podcasts or even music during that time. I feel it would be wrong somehow.