Depending on who you ask, podcast ‘speed listening’ is a travesty or an efficiency. Either way, the habit can have lasting impact once the headphones come off. “It's gotten to the point where I can't even listen to speech at a normal speed without wanting to yell, ‘Spit it out already,’” one person told CNN.
Many, many listeners are paying for ad-free podcasts just to save time. ‘Podfasters’ on 1.5x, 2x, even 3x speed are paying in a different way, wrote Lauren Murrow in a very funny 2018 piece for Wired. “When you blow through an episode, you’re gutting the experience of its hard-won nuance and cadence.”
Well, for some that spoke to CNN, the nuance and cadence of endless Zoom recordings was a gateway into the fast lane. The article calls speed listening both a ‘lifestyle’ and a ‘subculture’ based on productivity goals. (If you’re a podcaster and this describes you, we’d love a reply to this email to hear your take.)
For an entertaining, science-based look into the practice, “I Tried Listening to Podcasts at 3x and Broke My Brain” by Steve Rousseau can’t be beat. For fun, go with Lauren Murrow’s opinion of inhaling content “Joey Chestnut-style.” You know, the reigning champion of hot dog eating. 76, with buns, in 10 minutes.
Psst: Next Saturday, June 18, terrific podcasting sessions will stream live from London and around the world. Enjoy! Thanks to She Podcasts for sharing the love.
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