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When I set out to write this blog, a rule I created for myself was:no rules concerning topics, as long as I could see it through the lens of independent music production and, if you have been following me, you must agree that I have kept my promise. Mostly.

Sometimes, however, I feel an overwhelming need to return to a previously mentioned topic. This is the case today. And the topic I am going to address once more, firstly came out about a year ago, and it has to do with the podcast on Comic Art research I produce and host. What is the problem about the podcast?

Nothing, the podcat is fine. My critic has to do more specifically, to a frequent behaviour by the guests speakers. I return to the topic without embarrassment, and not because I want to attribute some kind of “original sin” to my university colleagues. Quite the opposite: it is due to the number of people, from different nationalities who exhibit the same behavior, that I started to think this is not a problem restricted to the academic community, but it represents a much more common type of attitude than one might imagine.

My doubt refers to the fact that although the invitation to participate includes precise guidelines, which include the length of the audio (around fifteen minutes), many people choose to send audios twice, sometimes three times shorter than that.

What is the reason, in an era marked by overexposure, often completely banal everyday situations, why people fail to take advantage of free time given to them to talk about their professional career and research interests? I understand, of course, not having the time or even the desire to participate in the program, but once the invitation is accepted, why not make the best use of it?

I don not have the answer, of course, but my theory is that of the various elements present there is a bit of an impostor complex and also a bit of self-sabotage. The invitation to freely express topics that move you is like a gift offered and I realize that many of my guests still do not know very well how to deal with it.

As I said, it is not my goal here to judge anyone, just to point out a problem, but if you have come this far, I feel like I owe you at least a suggestion. Well, here it goes: my suggestion is that you should not waste any opportunity to talk about topics that are close to your heart.

What you have to say is certainly very important, perhaps even decisive, in the life of someone.

Be seeing you!

G.F.

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One of the things I like most about podcasts is the possibility of doing other things while listening to an episode. I am not a fan of multitasking at all, but sometimes the only way to get started on a necessary, but boring task is to combine it with a more pleasant chore. Podcasts work like a charm! There is just one catch to the format: it makes anyone too susceptible to the power of voices.

As I often say, voices are very powerful. I once read that hearing is the second sense to reach the brain the fastest, second only to smell. So how do you escape the spell of an interesting podcast narrated by a beautiful voice? It is simply impossible!

Anyway, precisely because I am aware of this weakness of mine, I try to change programs quickly, so as not to develop any severe form of crush on an unknown voice. You do not have to tell me, and for the sake of discretion, I will not ask you, but I am sure it has happened to you, too, and we both know that kind of crush can be a huge problem.

While a flesh-and-blood obejct of desire is subject to mistakes, like any human being, the voices hover over our heads, fluttering, intangible and infallible. Enigmatic, voices can be very deceiving. One of the most commom mistakes is to assume that the rest of the body matches the voice, which is not always true. For whatever reason, some extraordinaire voices choose the most plain bodies to live. Go figure!

Today I received a very kind compliment on the comments of one of the podcasts I produce (the complete list you can find by clicking here), which made me very happy, because a kind compliment is always welcome. On the other hand, it reaffirmed what I already knew: voices go much further than we may ever suppose. It also made me think about the size of the responsibility of any content producer, which today basically means all of us.

In this moment of virtual assistants, the multiplication of applications that allow you to change and edit voices with high fidelity, and very sophisticated chatbots, I would like to suggest a moment of silence and reflection on the role you want your voice to play.

Oh, and you can access my current number one crush-podcast by clicking here. Unmissable, essential and another great reason to learn Portuguese.

Be seeing you!

G.F.