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against AirPods

on consumption, meditation
last updated 4/19/20

AirPods are going to be one of Apple's greatest hits. Their initial growth rate matches the iPhone's trajectory and early revenue estimates are staggering.

AirPods growth
Source: Kevin Rooke

Metrics aside, AirPods are awesome because they provide a different sandbox for startups to build.

Similar to how products like Uber and Snapchat were made possible by the app store, AirPods could become a platform that spawns an entirely new class of companies. TTYL and Yac are just the prelude.

Streaming services, video games, and social media all fight for our engaged attention. A larger audio ecosystem will create more intense competition for our passive attention (while commuting, exercising, folding laundry, etc).

And as the content improves, we'll spend more of each day consuming it — thanks to wireless headphones.

Increased AirPods usage spells a huge opportunity for players like Spotify that are willing to place early bets.

At the same time, I think there are downsides to constant consumption. More hours spent listening to podcasts means less with our own thoughts.

I can appreciate that distractions are a welcome escape from the frustrating reality of this pandemic. There's also something to be said for anything that gets us out of chairs and away from screens.

But when we remove the space for our passive brain to work, filling it up with other people's words, it becomes harder and harder to hear ourselves. Multi-tasking clouds the mind.

constant consumption + divided attention = low-quality thoughts

Meditation is powerful because it reveals the sheer volume of that mental noise. Even a simple ten-minute walk sans headphones helps me reset.

Daily transitions and downtime should be more sacred. It's WAY easier for me to say this than actually do it. It feels unproductive. It feels boring.

But I'm also wary of dulling my ability to think clearly, creatively, and above all else, for myself. There's value in toggling both speed (thinking fast and slow) and volume.


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