By JENNA MEAD
STAFF WRITER
When was the last time you single-tasked? Let me be a little clearer about what I mean. I am referring to focusing in on one task and that only. Society in our country and campus has instituted an “AND” culture. We do not just do homework, we do homework AND listen to music. We do not just chat with friends, we chat AND check our phones for the latest information. It goes to the extremes. Consider that we do not even just drive, we drive AND text or the plethora of other things that have infringed themselves as options for drivers.
The idea of only zoning in on one activity may sound strange, but if you struggled to answer the leading question, consider this challenge: Podcasts.
Podcasts have seen a slight increase in popularity amongst college-aged listeners after the Buzzed article about true-crime inspired Serial series. Or maybe you have never even heard of Podcasts beyond accidently clicking on one in iTunes. Podcasts are essentially recorded radio programs that are then made available online for listeners to download and listen to on their own schedules. Podcasts can be listened to while multi-tasking for sure, but the challenge to try and forever be hooked to is to simply stop and listen.
The choices of shows and series are vast, ranging from comedy to talk to music discovery. Downloading the Podcast App from iTunes or Android Store is free, as are the podcasts themselves. Having them on your phone or computer are both options. There are no lack of access to hours of interesting shows. Sitting and listening alone may feel awkward at first, but, by overcoming this feeling, the beauty of podcasts can enter your much-deprived life.
The guilty feeling of a multi-hour Netflix session is replaced with a calming, and often time inspired mind, after a single 45-minutes to an hour-long podcast. Some of my favorite podcasts come from National Public Radio. After I listen to This American Life, an NPR show, I have the same feeling one might have after enjoying an informative piece from the History or Discovery Channels. Something along the thought process of “I just learned something, and didn’t even realize I was learning.” Most of these shows, like many other podcasts, follow a single theme throughout the show, and then share different stories followed by host discussions. By looking at single topics from separate angles, new ideas often spark for me as a listener as well.
Instead of being able to name the characters in the fictitious world of House of Cards, I am able to think widely about the role of the government is setting new standards for higher education, and what the future of higher education might look like. This is all from a podcast called Fresh Air which features Kevin Carey, author of a new book, ‘The End of College.’
The infinite number of podcasts available allow for exploration. Seek out topics that you are interested in or have been coming up in class. Most shows are produced weekly are inlined with current events. On the other hand, some podcasts seek to just entertain. Game-like shows are options for long car drives with friends (alright, I guess you can drive AND listen).
The reason I have come to push podcasts, or simply podcasting on its own is that often the shows touch upon thought provoking ideas and truths. And if one is not listening attentively these can be missed. After listening to a podcast, you may find yourself with such intriguing things to talk about that your friends might just have to put down their phones AND listen.