I bought XCOM: Enemy Unknown last night on a recommendation from a friend. I’m not a gamer, and I know this is an old game. I also know my late 2013 MacBook Pro is not built for gaming, but it was just able to render the graphics usefully (medium settings, lower res). The game was so fun! I’m not a highly skilled player, but it has me wanting more. It has been years since I really got into a computer game; StarCraft was probably the game I recollect as the last one I played to death, and that was about 20 years ago.
If I have the option to communicate through text or voice, I’m choosing text every time.
I don’t love writing; it’s not a passion. I’m more happy working with numbers, to be honest. What I am definitely not, though, is a talker.
In writing, I feel that I can more eloquently express my views. In conversation I never quite feel as agile, by comparison. It takes a lot of focus to think on my feet and maintain the flow. Add to that, the little voice in my head that is always there in the background, questioning whether the person I’m talking to is listening, if they care at all, or are they bored out of their brain. Talking comes with pressure!
When I write, however, it comes out much more formally than when I speak. I struggle to achieve a relaxed tone in my writing (as this article may attest!). I also have no indication as to whether my words have ever been read — conversations don’t have that issue.
Ironically, so much of my work relies directly on my ability to have conversations with clients. There is a discerning factor, though. In these instances, I prefer to consider myself an empathic listener and interpreter. The more I listen, the more I can understand. If I’m talking, I’m not getting to the root of the issues and concerns of the firms I am trying to help. Sure, I will add some value through some suggestions, ideas and stories, but that tends to come more easily.
Then I go away and write some outcomes and actions!
Podcasting
Podcasting has definitely gone mainstream now. There is nothing in technology more reliant on voice and speaking than podcasting. Blogging I’m comfortable with - it’s writing. Podcasting? I have been a happy listener for years, but have never been a producer.
A new version of the app Anchor has been released for iOS and Android. The app has had a pivot with its focus now being the generation of short, simple podcasts. I’ve downloaded it, but haven’t yet had a play. I will probably try recording a few podcasts, but I have strong doubts that any of my efforts would be any good.
I really don’t like the sound of my own voice. I feel bad for people who have to listen to it normally, so to record myself and have to listen to my own voice in an extended recording is confronting in the extreme. I’m also not sure that I could maintain a coherent and interesting structure while speaking. Writing is different. You can plan, outline, edit, rewrite. Voice recording requires a lot more editing effort to achieve the same, and I’m no audio engineer.
I don’t own any professional podcasting equipment. I don’t have a good mic. If I started a podcast it would be rudimentary at best. Then again, that makes me sound like the target market for Anchor.
Finally, but probably foremost, there is the issue of content. What to talk about? What to say? Why would anybody bother to listen?1
So I may, or may not, trial a podcast. I might record it, hate the result and delete it. Or it may turn out okay and I might share it to my blog. Who knows? I don’t know!
To be fair, all these questions could just as easily be levelled at this blog, but here I am, typing away. ↩
I really do not understand Omni Automation. This is why I’m not a programmer. I can’t even get it to work when I follow the documented steps.
I’m reviewing my RSS service options to make sure I’m using the right one for me. I was a customer of Feedwrangler for a couple of years, and for the past year or so I’ve used Feedly. Now I’m trialling Inoreader, but I’m not sure I’d actually use the features of their paid account. Feedbin is too expensive for me, due to currency conversion.
I wonder if the micro.blog community have thoughts on what is the best service?
I’m grandfathered into a Feedly account that supports more than 100 feeds at no charge, but I’m willing to pay if it means I get a better service as a result. Is there anything out there that is genuinely better than a free, unlimited subscriptions Feedly account?
This morning I had a gym session with Kate at The Endurance Movement. It’s been a long time since I have done serious exercise, and the sled almost killed me. Now, a few hours later, my body feels good. Back on Friday.
I just discovered our Google Home was running a timer with 10 weeks and 2 days remaining. Our 6 year old kid has been experimenting, clearly.
Public Service Announcement: The Wood Brothers have released a new album
Quickly listened to a HomePod at an Apple Store today. Only had about a minute of listening because my 2 year old was not as interested, but it really did sound great.
Sonos One is $299. HomePod is $499. Sonos offers multiple integrations; HomePod is Apple Music or nothing. Reports suggest there is little between the two in terms of sound quality. Which is the better deal overall?
It’s not the speed that matters, it’s the energy. Brady Haran’s Numberphile video explains, through easy and elegant math, why speed kills.
I went for a bike ride this morning after a long time out. Was great to just get some relaxing exercise. Must do it more often.
I’m backyard camping with the boy tonight. A beautiful still night, currently 20 degrees, and I can hear his gentle breathing as he sleeps. This is a fun part of parenting.
Saw the HomePod in the flesh today. It sounds great, and is satisfyingly heavy. But I am still aware of all the cons, notably Siri’s incompetence. I still kind of want it, but AUD$499 is not cheap.
Those who fancy themselves leaders should welcome counterpoint views, as debate leads to better outcomes. Having a room of ‘yes folk’ does not a leader make.
I love Overcast but I am being tempted by Apple’s basic Podcasts app because of Siri integration and its ubiquity across devices. I really hope Apple enable SiriKit etc. for third party apps soon.
Oh no! My employer is moving us to Android phones. Guess I’m buying an iPhone and will be carrying two handsets now. My entire workflow is constructed around iOS apps. Android is a non-starter for me.
I had glandular fever months ago. Even now, on some days the fatigue and my throat glands flare up and kick my butt. Today has been one of those days. 💤