Sam, that is powerfully written, but I'm sorry you have such a dark view of listening to podcasts on the run, portraying it as an escapist drug. For me, podcasts and audiobooks enhance my runs (and long car drives) by enlarging my understanding of the world and current events. I listen to podcasts such as NPR's Fresh Air and Chicago Public Radio's This American Life. I also listen to some audiobooks. I typically do this for maybe half of a run, the other half is spent alone with my thoughts and looking around. Also, I don't block out the sounds of the world around me, because this would be dangerous (I need to keep my ears open for the sound of a mountain bike zooming down the trail, for example). So I play the podcast out of my phone in my pocket, as if a conversation were coming from my hydration vest. I would not do this with music—I think it's too obnoxious to have music playing for other trail users—but a gentle conversation coming from my pocket isn't too annoying, I hope, and has the added benefit of warning large animals that I'm approaching. Of course, I have the luxury of running in a rural wilderness setting. I used to run around Oakland as you do, and I know the depressing reality of dodging debris and shit and mentally ill people. So this whole comment comes from a place of privilege, I realize. But still, I wouldn't feel badly about listening to podcasts. You are still using your other senses besides hearing to take in the world around you.
I work from home so listening while running (only when running on pavement) is the only time for me to listen to talks and podcasts. I feel like I can actually comprehend the ideas better when running. I switch focus between my run and the audio when necessary but it definitely makes the long runs easier.
Just yesterday I listened to an insightful talk by J. Krishnamurti which was amazing. 😀
Sam, that is powerfully written, but I'm sorry you have such a dark view of listening to podcasts on the run, portraying it as an escapist drug. For me, podcasts and audiobooks enhance my runs (and long car drives) by enlarging my understanding of the world and current events. I listen to podcasts such as NPR's Fresh Air and Chicago Public Radio's This American Life. I also listen to some audiobooks. I typically do this for maybe half of a run, the other half is spent alone with my thoughts and looking around. Also, I don't block out the sounds of the world around me, because this would be dangerous (I need to keep my ears open for the sound of a mountain bike zooming down the trail, for example). So I play the podcast out of my phone in my pocket, as if a conversation were coming from my hydration vest. I would not do this with music—I think it's too obnoxious to have music playing for other trail users—but a gentle conversation coming from my pocket isn't too annoying, I hope, and has the added benefit of warning large animals that I'm approaching. Of course, I have the luxury of running in a rural wilderness setting. I used to run around Oakland as you do, and I know the depressing reality of dodging debris and shit and mentally ill people. So this whole comment comes from a place of privilege, I realize. But still, I wouldn't feel badly about listening to podcasts. You are still using your other senses besides hearing to take in the world around you.
I work from home so listening while running (only when running on pavement) is the only time for me to listen to talks and podcasts. I feel like I can actually comprehend the ideas better when running. I switch focus between my run and the audio when necessary but it definitely makes the long runs easier.
Just yesterday I listened to an insightful talk by J. Krishnamurti which was amazing. 😀