You imagine Australia as this peaceful place. Maybe some birdsong, ocean waves, nothing else. Endless horizons stretching to forever. Deep red sand, hardly any people. A few snakes and spiders scattered about.
But Australia is actually incredibly loud.
The birds are unbelievably loud (though I love that). The music in shopping centres blares. The streets are noisier because everyone drives everywhere.
This isn’t really about Australia, though. I cover that in my other blog. Today I want to talk about the constant noise I inflict on myself.
I’ve been a podcast obsessive for almost twenty years now. Various shows on constant rotation. But I think I’ve overdone it. I feel restless, somehow overstuffed. I’m listening to too many podcasts trying to learn things (you know what topic…).
At the start of this learning journey, it was exciting. Now everything slides off like water on teflon. I’m stealing time I could use for quiet thinking. Instead I’m listening to random talking heads discussing things I might possibly need someday (never).
I’m jamming my brain full and leaving no space for my own thoughts. Instead I feel small and ignorant. It stresses me out.
Now I realise this note is just an extension of a previous one. Freeze. But properly this time.
For you, dear reader, this is good news. I’m taking more time to think again, and probably to write. So with the Australian winter, I’m declaring a digital ice age for a few weeks. Hopefully with lots of output.
Originally auf Deutsch at reinergaertner.de, running since 1997. The translation had AI help. The typos are all mine.