SiteCrafting, Inc.
21 Jun
Podcast As Productivity Killer
Don't get me wrong, I love me some technology (you should see my museum of handheld computers). But when I tried to listen to a live podcast of my favorite tech blog the other day let's just say I'm lucky I didn't bring down our company's intranet.
Our brains are chopped up in many ways and some of those facets of the ol' noggin just don't jive well with one another. All those states banning driving while texting or talking on a cellphone without one of those Borg implants has some real merit. Walking and chewing gum. Podcasts and productivity.
I can honestly say I will never listen to another podcast while trying to work again. Processing the issues and points the show hosts were making at the same time as I created logic-related solutions in the code for our company intranet was completely impossible. For me to get anything out of one the other had to suffer. It was uncanny. I started downloading a separate NPR podcast a couple weeks ago and confirmed this corollary as the programming of a personal project went well but I have no idea what said podcast was about. At all.
Perhaps this effect isn't universal among people but it stunned me to the point of re-visiting most of what I coded during that hour or so again today to finish what was taking far too long to figure out while listening to the headless talking heads in my ears. All is well with our intranet despite that podcasts efforts otherwise. I certainly learned my lesson!
Has anyone else experienced something similar? What other seemingly innocuous activities do you have to avoid at work to stay productive?
Coding Techniques, Critiques
by Kevin Freitas | 6/21/2010 8:47am | Comments (4)
by Kevin Freitas | 6/21/2010 8:47am | Comments (4)
To me it depends on the task. I don't listen to podcasts much at work for exactly the reason you describe although for more mundane tasks - like filling out a timesheet or something - it's not a problem.
Music, on the other hand, I can find quite motivating. Classical can act as a good background to more complicated work and upbeat rock can get me more productive, although I have to turn it off when I run up against something that needs my full attention.
Left by John Moltz | Jun 27, 2010
Yeah, I'm right there with you John. Music doesn't bother me at all while working. I'm certainly more a coder than neurologist but I imagine all this has to do with the creative vs. reasoning halves of our brains. Both halves can be used at the same time but one half really can't be bothered with more than one thing at a time.
And if my coding pace needs some juice I toss on some salsa music! ;)
Left by Kevin Freitas | Jul 7, 2010
I might have tried something like that before, I'm not sure. But either way, that's a very good reason why I have a list of podcasts I like but I never listen to any of them. The most convenient way to listen to them, for me, would be while driving, but I don't spend enough time driving to keep up with all the podcasts I would want to listen to.
Not too long ago, I discovered DI.fm (internet radio stations of many different genres of electronic music) and once I figured out what channels I liked, I could easily find a good one for coding for whatever time of day or mood I am in. The best part about it is that it doesn't have words to distract my train of thought (most of the time. when it does, it's usually just meaningless samples that still don't require any brain power.).
Right now I'm listening to the House channel. If I'm feeling stressed and need something relaxing, I like Chillout Dreams. I normally pick from one of those two, any of the other House or Trance channels, Lounge, or even Liquid DnB. If you're looking for novelty, check out the 8-bit square waves of the Chiptunes channel. :) It's not one of my favorites, but it's interesting and nostalgic nevertheless. For something along the lines of Chillout Dreams but a little more unusual and ambient with less percussion, try the Space Music channel.
When I first tried listening to a DI.fm station while coding, it was with headphones, and I felt like it helped me concentrate. Haven't tried the headphones again lately, nor have I paid attention to whether it helps my concentration, but I do know that for me, it beats songs with words and it certainly beats silence.
Left by Garrett W. | Jul 14, 2010
I'm in pretty much the same boat Garrett. My commute is pretty minimal so no podcasts there either and the one I subscribe to just keeps piling up the episodes.
Downbeat, ambient, etc does fit the bill pretty well. I used to frequent SomaFM for just those reasons. Lately, however, I stream Portland based jazz station KMHD, a Dallas classical station, or Pandora via my Chumby. Cheers!
Left by Kevin Freitas | Jul 14, 2010