I spotted this on the BBC news site the other day, and for a change, I saw it before the programme was actually on. I recorded it using Media Center from the Freeview Radio 4 channel, as it meant I could listen to it more easily. I even went as far as converting it to an MP3 (the transcode wizard in VLC will do it) and putting it on my iPod to listen to at work. Things happened, and I didn’t get around to listening to it, so I just listened to it now.
One thing struck me whilst I was listening – I kept missing bits. I’d start to listen, but then I’d hear them mention something, and look it up in Wikipedia, or I’d spot something in IRC and reply. Meanwhile, the programme is progressing, and I’m missing stuff.
If it was a TV programme, I’d pay a lot more attention, but for some reason – possibly because I’m just not used to radio programmes as much – I found myself drifting, then having to whizz it back to catch what I’d just missed.
Maybe it’s because there’s no pretty pictures to stop me being distracted. I suppose the only way is to ignore everything and stare at the wall or something. I can understand why TV has been branded the ‘idiot box’ – it really takes no concentration to watch it.
