Upgrade Your Feed: How to Find Content That Makes You Smarter
So there’s a glut of information and entertainment to consume. But I personally don’t feel that much of it is WORTH consuming. And so, I often find myself encouraging people to be more discerning in what they consume. Ask, how is this adding to my life and my goal of who I want to be? And if the answer is “not meaningfully,” then maybe it’s worth eliminating from your information diet.
What is in this article
Consume content that makes you better
Reading Approach
Documentaries
Podcasts - and an extensive list of recommendations
Consume content that makes you better
Time is a limited resource. How much time you have to spend on improving yourself is limited. When possible, I think it’s valid to prioritize consuming content that makes you better, more the person you want to be, over content that does not.
Let me be clear - I’m not a boring person who doesn’t own a television or know what Ice Spice is. But, I also don’t know the name of anyone who’s ever been a Real House Wife. I watch movies and television, listen to music, and scroll too much on social media. Being totally removed from culture doesn’t appeal to me, but neither does being an obsessive. But, I have tried to tip my entertainment consumption more towards things that I think will add to my life in the long run.
In looking for “high quality” content to consume, I basically look for two types of content
Expanding my understanding into new areas
Deepening my understanding of things I know about
I also look for things that are
Durable - they’ve been around a while or are regularly cited
Authoritative - they are considered a tastemaker or the best source
Have Access - content with direct access to people or sources that are unique is better than second-hand sources by a lot
Respected Curators - Not everyone needs to be authority or have access, but if they curate really well, and are recognized for their ability to curate, then they’re probably worth consuming.
I try to consume things that are
Reading:
I read a lot 40-100 books a year. I listen to a lot of audiobooks.
Books are often fun. Reading is fun. Start a book, read sequentially, find the things you like, give up when you don’t. Books can be pleasurable. And more, they can be a great way to trick yourself into learning.
Focus on "tidbits" of valuable information, not necessarily completing every book.
If your book mentions another book that sounds interesting, write it down, save it on Goodreads, or just buy it right away. Follow your interests in reading, and you’ll read more.
Documentaries:
Documentaries are a great source of exploration.
They’re often entertaining put together by filmmakers who know how to tell stories. And almost. as a side effect, they teach you things.
Some, though sincerely not many, YouTube channels produce what I think of as almost short incredible documentaries in which I learn and am entertained.
https://www.youtube.com/@Vox/featured - is great, though it’s a skewed a bit too “current” for my taste.
https://www.youtube.com/@kurzgesagt - is always a great way to blow your mind talking about science.
Podcasts:
I love podcasts - there are so many, they cover wide topics, and there are some brilliant people making podcasts.
It’s so easy to listen to a podcast on the go, washing dishes, walking the dog, on the commute. You can be entertained in your ears, and your hands and eyes can be free. Really amazing.
A Bucket of Podcast Recommendations
Entertainment Business:
You Must Remember This - history of Hollywood
Scriptnotes - much more creative writing focused, but dabble in business
The Treatment - creative focused interviews with filmmaker, Elvis Mitchel is a great interviewer
Business, Finance, Entrepreneurship:
How I Built This - founders talking about how they… built… their business
Planet Money - understanding the world through economics with engaging storytelling
Motley Fool Money - honestly, this one publishes too much now. But, good quick hit understanding of publically traded companies focused on using information for stock investing. I need a replacement, so if anyone has one comment!
Nudge: Behavioral Science Simplified - marketing focused look at “nudges”
Life Things
Science & Technology:
Star Talk Radio - such an amazing and entertaining way to think about the Cosmos
Reply All - this is pretty much over, and maybe I didn't truly learn a lot yet I still recommend this podcast as an example of deep storytelling and engaging an audience in informative way.
Society:
Backstory - there are too many podcasts called Backstory, but this one was the first I found, and though it’s over, it is a fantastic resource for learning about history.
Revisionist History - I don't even know how to explain this podcast anymore, if I'm being perfectly honest. But Malcolm Gladwell does a great job at taking contradictory views of society and its many odd aspects.
Search Engine - A spiritual successor to Reply All that I enjoy
More Perfect - about the US Supreme Court
Self-Improvement & Fitness:
Interviews & Storytelling:
This American Life - is perhaps the greatest podcast of all time. Top-notch slice of life journalism that brings you closer to your fellow man.
Hot Ones- not a podcast, but very well done interviews.
News & Current Events:
NPR News Now - it’s only 5 minutes, and I really think that’s all you need
Tell me what podcasts you listen to, I’m wildly curious!
Next time, a bucket of book recommendations.