Life Happens at 1x Speed(terriblesoftware.org)
terriblesoftware.org
Life Happens at 1x Speed
https://terriblesoftware.org/2026/01/08/life-happens-at-1x-speed/
11 comments
I consume most of my video/audio informational content at 1.5x or faster. It wasn't FOMO or that I felt unproductive. I just felt that some of the content was going too slow for my thought process and leaving me kind of hanging, waiting for the next bit of information so I could continue coming up with my conclusions about the topic. But if I'm slower that day or feel that the topic is too dense, I don't mind at all slowing it down or even pausing it.
To me, it just feels like when I scan some text with the eyes looking for the juicier parts or hooks that I most care about. Speaking of which, I much prefer to consume content as text than audio or video. I can scan, seek, pause, think, go back at will without fiddling with any controls.
To me, it just feels like when I scan some text with the eyes looking for the juicier parts or hooks that I most care about. Speaking of which, I much prefer to consume content as text than audio or video. I can scan, seek, pause, think, go back at will without fiddling with any controls.
> I much prefer to consume content as text than audio or video.
I could not agree more. For me, audio is the worst way, video is the second-worst way.
I could not agree more. For me, audio is the worst way, video is the second-worst way.
I don't fully agree with the "if something isn’t worth consuming at 1x, it’s not worth consuming at all" part.
Sometimes you find a great video or podcast, but the person speaking simply speaks slowly. Or you've just watched/listened to someone who speaks quickly (like Louis Rossman for example), and gotten used to the speed.
Other times you just want to skim through the content, for example if you're already familiar with the topic, although you could argue that it's not really worth spending time on skimming something you're already familiar with.
But I definitely agree with the "quality filter" part. There's so much content out there that just doesn't have much substance to it.
Other times you just want to skim through the content, for example if you're already familiar with the topic, although you could argue that it's not really worth spending time on skimming something you're already familiar with.
But I definitely agree with the "quality filter" part. There's so much content out there that just doesn't have much substance to it.
To me it's that the information density of video or audio content can vary wildly, much like writing. But while with writing your speed of processing it can adjust more or less automatically with how much you need to think about it what you're reading, with video and audio you need to take positive steps to do the same thing. And in general most people most people can listen faster than most people can speak, much like most people can read faster than most people can write. But then I can understand the impetus to just plow through information like quantity is all that matters, so if you're overdoing that it makes sense to try to pump the brakes.
1.1x is my default setting in pocket casts, with a couple at 1.2x and others at 1x.
I don't need to hear more content more quickly, it's just that some readers/presenters talk very slowly and my ears find the cadence - not the slower reveal of information - a bit frustrating.
I don't need to hear more content more quickly, it's just that some readers/presenters talk very slowly and my ears find the cadence - not the slower reveal of information - a bit frustrating.
Yes but 1x is different in different locations and cultures. e.g canada and us generally speak a lot slower than uk.
Music and general pace of life are slower too.
Music and general pace of life are slower too.
The text reads nice and feels smart, but is there really an argument in there?
Not sure why I should confirm exactly to the one speed that the creators of the media choose. Certainly my motives for choosing the perfect speed will differ from that of someone who has a capitalistic interest in mass consume of theirs product.
Not sure why I should confirm exactly to the one speed that the creators of the media choose. Certainly my motives for choosing the perfect speed will differ from that of someone who has a capitalistic interest in mass consume of theirs product.
I've been meaning to put this into words, thanks for this.
I honestly never understood why people listen to or watch things sped up. For me, doing that just sucks the joy out of the thing and impairs overall comprehension.
I can't focus on normal speed. In person people talk faster at least (& I can ask them to pick up the pace, as rude as that may be)
I have attention deficit. For me adjusting speed is an a11y feature to put load on my cognition so it doesn't wander
I have attention deficit. For me adjusting speed is an a11y feature to put load on my cognition so it doesn't wander
Depends A LOT on what kind of content you're watching.
I've been studying physics lately and a lecturer talks slowly so 2x makes a lot of sense. Maybe even I know the subject somewhat but I believe the lecturer has a few insights or connections to point out that I haven't seen. But perhaps it's burried in the middle of the lecture. It really doesn't make sense to listen to the whole lecture at 1x speed. Much better to 2x to the "unfamiliar part" and then rewatch and carefully consider that part at 1x speed.
Also, some very intelligent people just speak/think slowly. They have interesting things to say but slowly.
On the other hand, if you're watching a highly-produced video (such as a movie), I think it's quite ridiculous to watch it at any speed other than 1x. It was paced that way for a reason (if it's worth watching).
I don't really understand why folks have to be so "binary" about playback speed.