I stopped listening to podcasts--I'm about twice as productive now \ stacker news ~alter

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I stopped listening to podcasts--I'm about twice as productive now

1591 sats \ 31 comments \ @Signal312 31 Mar alter_native

I had been getting pretty frustrated with my lack of progress on a writing project. And at an airport, I saw a copy of the book Atomic Habits, and remembered--I have that book! I ended up re-reading it, got a bunch of ideas, and put a lot of the suggestions into practice.

But I think the one thing that really improved my productivity the most is this--absolute cold turkey on podcasts. I used to love podcasts, they were mostly bitcoin or carnivore oriented, and I got so much out of them.

However, while I got a lot out of them, they also:

Take up a ton of time. I would never actually sit down and do nothing but listen to podcasts. Still, while exercising and doing chores, I was listening to podcasts.
More importantly, podcasts take up brain space! I have a limited amount of time and brain space, and I need some empty room (while exercising, doing chores) in my brain to ruminate, to let ideas stew, to allow ideas to percolate. Ideas that are related to MY PROJECT as opposed to these podcasts (interesting though they may be).

Now I'm almost a little afraid to take my podcast device (I use a separate device) out, even when I'm done with my work for the day. I feel like I might jinx myself, somehow.

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198 sats \ 5 replies \ @Natalia 31 Mar

I also stopped listening to it for a few years: if I need to want to learn about something, a. reading is faster; b. I better learn by doing than listening.

67 sats \ 4 replies \ @teemupleb 31 Mar

And an AI can summarize podcasts

10 sats \ 3 replies \ @Signal312 OP 31 Mar

Really? You give it an episode, and it'll summarize? Which AI are you using?

155 sats \ 2 replies \ @Ge 31 Mar

Check out https://cascdr.xyz/ and also https://www.pullthatupjamie.ai/ built on a bitcoin standard

0 sats \ 1 reply \ @Signal312 OP 1 Apr

Those both look really interesting! Dang...something I should probably look at.

Do you use them? What do you think?

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @Ge 1 Apr

Fuck yeah use them both all the time and can use them as anon micro btc payments or sign up to have unlimited uses... also u became activated like me I also wrote an article on this let me know if it resonates. Talks about no more podcast go do! https://www.alamobitcoin.com/it-starts-with-community/

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111 sats \ 0 replies \ @79c9095526 31 Mar

Mostly they've just gone to shit. What bitcoin did is a slog to get through, rabbit hole recap is just a current events/politics podcast, the jack mallers thing is so hard to listen to with his repetitive ranting style, etc...

There was a golden age of these and I think it ended sometime last year, if you're a newbie, you're probably better off listening to some older pods to get the good stuff

124 sats \ 1 reply \ @Undisciplined 31 Mar

That’s really interesting. I’ve been trying to at least not reflexively or habitually listen to podcasts.

Unless I specifically want to, I’m practicing defaulting to quiet rather than be distracted constantly.

28 sats \ 0 replies \ @Signal312 OP 31 Mar

Yeah, and it's amazing how your mind really craves that time, to daydream, fantasize, plan, etc. Now I wonder how I could possibly have had time to listen to podcasts so much.

131 sats \ 0 replies \ @SimpleStacker 31 Mar

Take up a ton of time. I would never actually sit down and do nothing but listen to podcasts. Still, while exercising and doing chores, I was listening to podcasts.

I also listen to them while driving, preparing meals, doing dishes, etc.

More importantly, podcasts take up brain space! I have a limited amount of time and brain space, and I need some empty room (while exercising, doing chores) in my brain to ruminate, to let ideas stew, to allow ideas to percolate. Ideas that are related to MY PROJECT as opposed to these podcasts (interesting though they may be).

But you're right, sometimes those times are needed to allow your brain to stew. I should take this into consideration.

79 sats \ 0 replies \ @Satosora 31 Mar

THIS! I notice a lot of my coworkers listening to podcasts and things, and it takes twice as long as to finish something. I just find it weird. There is a time and place for everything, losing concentration while working is not one of those places.

34 sats \ 2 replies \ @LibertasBR 31 Mar

As I was reading your post, I was thinking: well, it doesn’t take up that much time. Then I remembered the podcasts I listen to, and even though the topics are interesting, it’s not like I’m missing out on much if I don’t listen—some I don’t even recall the subjects of. So, I see what you’re trying to convey with your post, and I’ll take it as a test. My problem isn’t just podcasts; the YouTube videos I watch just for the audio are an issue too. I rarely have a moment to enjoy good music with so much “content” to listen to.

19 sats \ 1 reply \ @Signal312 OP 1 Apr

"Content" is a slippery slope. It feels like content providers REALLY know how to press your buttons, to get you to continue to "consume".

It takes a big effort to limit it.

But it takes much much LESS effort to eliminate it.

And also like another commenter said...you really get a LOT of the "content" you get out in the wide world, just by being on Stacker News.

34 sats \ 0 replies \ @LibertasBR 1 Apr

I agree 100%. As you said, moments when our minds are free are necessary, and these moments allow us to seek content that we truly need. This way, we actively pursue it, and SN has been a great place for my curiosity and eagerness to learn.

I will make an effort to eliminate these habits. Even though I know it will be beneficial, I also know it will be a bit difficult.

55 sats \ 2 replies \ @denlillaapan 31 Mar

I feel you re: empty space/ideas to percolate... but it just feels so efficient to have even just a semi-interesting podcast on in the background when you're cooking or doing chores

17 sats \ 1 reply \ @Signal312 OP 31 Mar

I think I may make an exception for long car rides.

But who knows...before you know it I'd probably be making an exception for weeding, working out, all kinds of things.

Might be safest - for me anyway - just to leave it.

34 sats \ 0 replies \ @denlillaapan 1 Apr

weeding -- lol, I read "wedding"

be like... uhm, that seems ruuuude!

55 sats \ 0 replies \ @BlokchainB 31 Mar

Maybe I should try this but what can I fill the open space with?

34 sats \ 0 replies \ @cointastical 1 Apr

need some empty room (while exercising, doing chores) in my brain to ruminate, to let ideas stew, to allow ideas to percolate. Ideas that are related to MY PROJECT

I now drive my commute to my fiat mining job with the radio off even.

Next, consider the ROI on time for conferences, launch parties, etc.

34 sats \ 0 replies \ @OT 31 Mar

Interesting.

I've cut down as of late. I usually just listen to Bitcoin Week in Review and RHR just to get a summary of what's happening. I usually find most of the interesting stuff comes through SN or nostr. Sometimes I see something that might be interesting and listen to it.

Good luck with your project!

34 sats \ 1 reply \ @fishious 31 Mar

I used to consume a lot of bitcoin-related podcasts, but they feel pretty repetitive now and the actual takeaways don't justify the amount of time spent listening to it for me anymore. I also realized I don't retain much information from listening. So now I just view podcasts as pure entertainment purposes only, and not as a means to learn.

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @LibertasBR 1 Apr

From the content I’ve been seeing recently, it feels more like a general update on the current landscape. Everything that needed to be said has already been said, and the history of Bitcoin and this revolution is being written right now—we can only see it on a macro level. At least, that’s how I feel about what you mentioned regarding the repeated themes.

21 sats \ 0 replies \ @thegwjw 31 Mar

But how do you know what to think??

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @stack_harder 1 Apr

i mean, whatever works for you, i am usually driving for a minimum of an hour a day, and podcasts are what i like to listen to , radio is shit.

for me it doesn't replace reading, it's just a side thing

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @weimar_artifacts 1 Apr

Same people are on the podcasts. Same people got hired in every new startup in the space.

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @TheBTCManual 1 Apr

I only listen to podcasts If I find a topic I find deeply interesting otherwise i'd listen to music or sit in silence, I know alot of people who listen to podcasts/radio just to have noise in the background or feel like they having a convo with someone so I guess it does serve that purpose too

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @krispy_donkey 1 Apr

I’ve been listening to a lot of Bitcoin and Bitcoin adjaescent podcasts to the point where most of my questions have been answered, namely for the history and corruption of finance the answer is “this was all probably inevitable to some degree but we have Bitcoin now so 🤙 “ and on the topic of price I’ve come to agree that it’s the liquidity stupid, so if the Fed QE’s number go up and and if the Fed QT’s then number dont go up, so 🤙”. No further questions your honour.

The only thing I want to listen to now is technical stuff around mining and new developments and stuff, but these are few and far between so if anyone has any recommendations then please shout them out!

0 sats \ 2 replies \ @joseph_at_nostr_fan 1 Apr

How about leaving your phone behind, or quitting social media 9 to 5?

100 sats \ 1 reply \ @dwami 1 Apr

Mind needs to rest, silence needs to be a part of your day, I would say the most part. In silence you will receive answers that no podcast would give you. Follow your answers not someone else prepared one. Podcast can be useful but it is in silence that you connect to your talents, receives your intuitions and create new things for you and for your fellow humans.

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @joseph_at_nostr_fan 20h

Very wise advice.

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @Aroonbs 31 Mar freebie

Eu como sofro de TDAH e Ansiedade crônica, o ouvir podcas para mim, é super produtivo, alem de me alimentar com muitas informações de acordo com o assunto relacionado ao episódio do podcast no qual estou ouvindo.