Mohamad Noor-Chowdhury

Good read and it got me thinking about the difference between iterative innovation vs disruptive innovation. Big disruptive changes are hard to come by in any field. When they do happen, it is all anyone can talk about for decades. Yes people instantly start coping them. However, those little changes make an improvement then another one and so on. It doesn’t take long before the original concept has been complete changed through small changes. It reminds me of the thought experiment Ship of Theseus (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ship_of_Theseus). After so long, is the original innovation even there any more. Industry needs both kinds of innovation.

This is a big issue I have with a lot of companies. A lot of companies will wait to be “innovative” and watch other smaller companies to see how they will succeed or fail before making a change to themselves. As for your question, I think when it comes to competitors having different cultures, a really good example for me is in sales. I don’t have a specific company to name but you can tell the different when then culture either is numbers-driven or customer-driven.

This reminds me of when in the past I was searching for jobs online. I am sure you have experienced this Mohammad, when every job description looks like someone from HR copied and pasted a wish list for candidates about a mile long. Starting a new career is hard enough but how do we compete with these expectations. It feels contrived, and yes I agree with you, so do the company culture write-ups.

I’ve tried them and found the experience too “easy”.. My mind tends to wander if I’m not fully engaged and audiobooks leave my hands free to do other tasks while I listen. I inevitable get distracted.

My wife swears by them and has an iron recall, so it’s no doubt a personal thing.

With that being said, while I prefer to read physical books, I can top your gym habit with my listening to The Economist while running. Since most articles are only 5-10 minutes, it’s long enough I can cycle a few articles on each run but short enough that I never get the chance to zone out too much!

This is so insightful! I am not a huge fan of reading and was always just doing the reading I had to but lately I have found myself listening to a lot of podcasts and e-books while driving. I personally prefer audio books over a regular book because like you said you can listen to them anywhere! I never have time to sit down and just read a book, and when I do have the time I am normally exhausted and do not want to read. This is a great example of how mobile marketing has kept books alive! Everything has to go digital at some point right?

First of all, I love that you read Judy Blume books as a youngster <3

I actually used to check audiobooks CDs out of my library (yes, this was a while ago)…they made my often hellish commute something to look forward to. I did find that the person doing to reading was almost as important as the material, and for a time, I was choosing books based on the performer first.

Once podcasts came along, though, I became much more focused on those. Perhaps it's because they're a bit easier to digest since they are in smaller chunks than a full "book" — and I get a lot of variety. When I started working remotely — no more commute — I cut way back on my listening, and I missed it.

All that said, there is nothing like sitting on the beach with a physical book, at least for me. That is quintessential summertime.

Favorite quote: “So, I tried out audiobooks. This was a mistake.”

I dabble, but I also hate my phone (and never have it on me/check it)… so… I’m different?

Jb

Great thoughts Mo! My personal opinion- I can never dive into an audio book like I can a paper book. As a 100% committed book nerd and a fan of paper books. But admittedly it’s just my preference, and I usually weaponize audiobooks as a way to convince friends that the novel I’m trying to get them to read. Don’t like books? Well 2021 allows you to consume media in a variety of ways– you can find a novel today broken down into comics, audiobooks, movies, video games, etc. I know cross-platforms bother some book nerds, but I love the differences between a book and the movie, or how a narrator in an audiobook can contribute to the overall feel of the novel. So even though I love books in paper, I’m increasingly enjoying how the digital space is transforming how we consume narratives.

Great post Mo. This is so amazing. I remember as a child, whenever we had to travel to visit my grandparents (a 4 hour drive). The only way my mother made the drive with three children, was playing the Harry Potter audiobooks. One of my favorite podcasts’ came out with a book and I bought it as an audiobook, because I love the emotion that you can hear behind the voice. I think audiobooks will continue to be popular, but there is something about the smell and touch of a book that I don’t think I will ever let go of.

You may have sold me on audiobooks. Like you I love reading, but fell off it from required readings at school and then just not being motivated after work. However, in the last few years I have gotten back into it. I have been going to paper books for because they are what I grow up on. Also, they make easy gifts to ask for and get. However, books are heavy. I pack up and move 100% of my stuff every two years or so. Books take up a lot of space and boxes. I think I will have to switch over to e-books just to save my back.

Great post Mo! I miss listening to audiobooks. I can only really listen to them though if I have something mindless to do, like commuting or cleaning. Otherwise, I also get distracted. I find that I still need to be able to focus on the book, and it’s a lot harder when I’m listening rather than holding a book in my hand. Also, I am a sucker for curling up in a comfy chair with a physical book or an e-reader in my hand and a cup of tea (kind of cliched, but it’s true).

I find April’s suggestion of speeding up the audio book interesting, but since I’m already prone to zoning out or tuning out of the audiobook if I’m distracted, I’m afraid speeding it up will make it even harder to focus. I’ll have to give it a try!