Confessions of a slow listener
Smooshing words, Taylor conspiracies, crumbling statues, climate real estate, environmentally friendly websites, history of capitalism.
I’ve been trying to be better about listening to more of a series or season, before getting distracted by another. As a result of this, my writing and listening has really slowed down, which I’m learning to be okay with. Sometimes writing about what you’re listening to can make you feel like you need to always be listening to new and unknown things to keep it interesting for readers. I still want to do that, but I don’t wish to rush through my queue. I want to enjoy it and I will always make time for my ongoing favourites. I’m also just a slow listener and sometimes have to rewind to make sure I actually clocked what was said. Plus, by listening to more before I write, it makes it easier to really do them justice. If you listen like this too, you’re not alone! Thank you for reading and listening along!
This week’s podstack
Lingthusiasm - 92: Brunch, gonna, and fozzle - The smooshing episode
Common podcasting advice is to start a show about something you’re really passionate about. And you can definitely tell that’s what Gretchen and Lauren did. They are so enthusiastic about language that you can’t help getting caught up in their energy. They also have one of the coolest things ever - a quiz to tell you which episode to check out! Now I want every show to have this!! The quiz sent me to the translation episode and then I checked out a more recent one about words that have been squished together. You’d be surprised to hear just how old words like brunch and smog are! Plus they even went so deep into how language evolves like this that I also learned this happens in sign language too! (transcript)
Conspiracy, She Wrote - Taylor Swift Psyops
It really does feel like conspiracy theories are everywhere these days, but the reality is that they aren’t really that new. They’re just on a much bigger scale than ever before. There’s nothing shocking about that, but what is surprising me is Cristen Conger’s investigation of women’s roles in creating and being victims of conspiracy theories. Just like she does on Unladylike, she’s using an intersectional lens to discover how the first conspiracy theories were started by women and why they have grown into what they are today. If this kind of history interests you, you’ll love the first two episodes. But after that, buckle up because she’s going deep on some very well known theories! I knew Taylor Swift was the subject of many theories and that her fans love to create their own theories, but this episode made me realize just how deep the beliefs go. (transcript)
Immaterial - Stone: Making and Breaking Legacies
Did everyone else assume that when a statue is kept in a museum it is just magically safe from any harm caused by being hundreds or thousands of years old? Well, it turns out that stuff can still happen and things can fall apart! Like a significant statue in The Met that suffers some serious damage. There’s a whole art and science to repairing stone statues like it and this reveals the process. It turns out that stone can be irrevocably changed when some cracks or chips happen, which means that the process of restoring it has to account for this unseen structural change. I swear, the experts in this episode explain it much better than me and their dedication to maintaining these pieces of art is so cool to hear. (transcript)
How We Survive - Burning Questions: Where Should I Live?
I’m so grateful when podcasts answer really specific questions that I’ve also been wondering about. This is especially true for climate podcasts, because I’m also often overwhelmed with where to start for finding answers on my own. This episode of How We Survive did just that! In 16 minutes they give you a solid understanding of what factors to consider when it comes to deciding where to live and the impact of climate change. There are now some ratings attached to real estate listings that will tell you its likelihood of certain climate issues. Like how many days is the temperature above averagely hot? How many days will that be in 30 years? You learn about how insurance prices may change and what to prepare for. And if you’re a renter, they’ve got things for you to also keep in mind!
Climify - Designing Time For Nature with Emma Askew
Something I hadn’t thought much about when it comes to climate change and the impacts is the digital impact. I don’t think it’s a secret that things like AI and bitcoin can have a high impact on the environment because of the resources needed to keep them running, but there are so many other things. Thankfully, the guest on this episode, Emma Askew, spells it all out. It’s things like the impact of storing all our digital files. It’s individual websites, which can all be run through this website to check what their environmental impact is and how to improve it. The fact that sites like this and experts like Emma exist makes this problem feel a bit less scary to me. To know that there are smarter people already addressing it and helping us all learn more about how we can help.
Scene on Radio: Capitalism - S7 E1: Market Failure
Scene on Radio is covering capitalism this season and I was so curious to hear where they go with it. The first episode lays the groundwork for introducing us to different people who have realized or felt the ways capitalism is doing more harm than good. Like the former JP Morgan director who left his job after reading an article that made him realize how much his work was contributing to hurting the planet. Or the childcare worker who experiences the inequality of the system both for herself, her employees, and the parents she’s trying to help. The first episode was frustrating to listen to, but it should be. Then the series goes back in time and works its way through so many moments in history that brought us to the version of capitalism we know today. The history lessons are deep and detailed, so this one takes some serious listening and I know I’m struggling to actually absorb it all, but that hasn’t stopped me from listening.
More sweet treats
Tink Media’s podcast discovery podcast Feed the Queue is back for a new season and we’ve got some fun changes in store!
Are you an cynic, realist, or skeptic? This explanation of the differences and harms made me re-think optimism.
One of the most interesting discussions of veganism I’ve heard in a while.
Thank you for reading! If you listened to something this week that made your heart sing, your imagination wander, or your brain ponder, I’d love to hear about it!