Isn't it kind of like having music or talk radio on in the background while you're doing things? A little bit of company in a quiet house? Or "easy-listening tv" - I think there are a lot of homes where the tv runs all day - something that's been going on for years. Maybe not necessarily negative, but maybe a matter of degree. I'll go re…
Isn't it kind of like having music or talk radio on in the background while you're doing things? A little bit of company in a quiet house? Or "easy-listening tv" - I think there are a lot of homes where the tv runs all day - something that's been going on for years. Maybe not necessarily negative, but maybe a matter of degree. I'll go read the article now...
In a similar vein, I have taken steps to limit podcast listening, especially when out walking in local parks. It became a bit of a crutch during the pandemic, and although it's ok sometimes when there's something in particular I want to listen to, I am trying to walk without accompaniment more frequently. I'm trying to consciously be more present - rather than fleetingly attending to minute after minute after minute. I appreciate seeing you spell this phenomena out.
I really do enjoy your substack - I'm still not a paid subscriber but getting closer. Happy New Year! Thanks for all the great reading recommendations! (I just finished Blood Test by Charles Baxter and really enjoyed it - I think that rec came from you.)
There's certainly degrees of attention in all things. Like sometimes while I'm "working" I'll be listening to a sports podcast where I'm not paying attention at all to the podcast, but I'm also not doing anything that requires real concentration work-wise. When I have to really get down to business and think I have to clear the decks and truly pay attention.
What I want to achieve is a kind of mindfulness around what I'm choosing to do when I choose to do it. If I want to fold laundry and watch a mediocre TV show, that's fine, but if I want to experience a TV show, I should do that, rather than reaching for "the second screen" in the midst of it.
I have the same occasional struggle about when I'm walking outside and I'll instinctually reach for the earbuds so I can have some companionship, but I try to make sure I'm capable of doing it with just me and my senses at least sometimes.
Isn't it kind of like having music or talk radio on in the background while you're doing things? A little bit of company in a quiet house? Or "easy-listening tv" - I think there are a lot of homes where the tv runs all day - something that's been going on for years. Maybe not necessarily negative, but maybe a matter of degree. I'll go read the article now...
In a similar vein, I have taken steps to limit podcast listening, especially when out walking in local parks. It became a bit of a crutch during the pandemic, and although it's ok sometimes when there's something in particular I want to listen to, I am trying to walk without accompaniment more frequently. I'm trying to consciously be more present - rather than fleetingly attending to minute after minute after minute. I appreciate seeing you spell this phenomena out.
I really do enjoy your substack - I'm still not a paid subscriber but getting closer. Happy New Year! Thanks for all the great reading recommendations! (I just finished Blood Test by Charles Baxter and really enjoyed it - I think that rec came from you.)
There's certainly degrees of attention in all things. Like sometimes while I'm "working" I'll be listening to a sports podcast where I'm not paying attention at all to the podcast, but I'm also not doing anything that requires real concentration work-wise. When I have to really get down to business and think I have to clear the decks and truly pay attention.
What I want to achieve is a kind of mindfulness around what I'm choosing to do when I choose to do it. If I want to fold laundry and watch a mediocre TV show, that's fine, but if I want to experience a TV show, I should do that, rather than reaching for "the second screen" in the midst of it.
I have the same occasional struggle about when I'm walking outside and I'll instinctually reach for the earbuds so I can have some companionship, but I try to make sure I'm capable of doing it with just me and my senses at least sometimes.