I am not a huge podcast enthusiast but Linda and I do like to occasionally watch (as opposed to simply listen to) a handful of podcasts on YouTube in the evenings. And lately a couple of thought leaders I respect have advocated a notion I have long supported given the scarcity of common sense and that is practicing uncommon sense.
Carey Nieuwhof here has featured both Seth Godin and Cal Newport on his leadership podcast and each has stressed their absence on virtually all forms of social media. Godin hosts his own podcast and simply reposts his blog entries elsewhere while Newport limits his online presence to his own blog and podcast, period.
By definition the minimalist journey is one of living counterculturally and learning to not care so much about the socially accepted way of doing life. And one of our primary forms of resistance is refusing to spend our precious time scrolling mindlessly on social media platforms that monetize our personal data for their own financial benefit.
Another area that we try to be more intentional is in our news consumption, which is largely limited to local issues since that is all we are in a position to influence. I got to where I was paying too much attention to the news application on my phone and getting stressed watching televised clips before bedtime so I minimize both.
As I have hinted in this and other posts there is much to be said for thinking for ourselves instead of allowing others to unduly influence our belief system and overall lifestyle. If there is one takeaway from the pandemic I think it is the compelling need for us all to learn to discern between the different voices vying for our hearts and minds. “Democracy dies in darkness,” indeed.