Nancy, did you find the AI-generated transcript for this video? It should be visible at the top of the post. It's unedited and kind of wordy... Curious, did you try to read the transcript instead of watching?? Or did you skip everything except a quick skim of the post? No judgment, just trying to learn the habits and preferences of [B]old Age readers. Thanks!
Yes I found it and skimmed it. And I skimmed the post. I would have read everything had it been a topic in which I was more interested. No judgment, it’s a case of not all things are of equal interest. 😄
Hello there. Interesting to hear that it is SubStack pushing creators to provide more diverse forms of contact. I’d wondered why some of my people were now providing audio versions of their written work. I’m 65 and I still prefer to read, but because the option is there it’s been handy to listen to a post while I’m preparing veges for tea for example.
(I read this post in the middle of the night then waited until morning to listen to the Zoom session. The audio takes more concentration for me and didn’t add a lot to what I’d read overnight.)
I’m definitely not someone who ‘multitasks’ when I’m out walking. I live in the glorious countryside. There’s no way I’m going to block out the birds and dogs and walkers by listening to a podcast. And thankfully most of my fellow walkers are like me. Walks become a wonderful way of developing community. I love living in a country village.
And since the weather is a worldwide thing - it’s a very frosty cold Saturday morning down here in my part of Australia. -3.7C, or 25 degrees F. Brrrrrr…. Nice to lie in bed to catch up on Substack. Thanks so much for your contribution. Hugs and best wishes.
I can see that you and your colleague were enjoying the process of teasing out your answers (and yes, that is interesting at the time), but I didn't get to the end, because it seemed very slow to watch. Much prefer to hear the arguments written down and honed. No, it didn't add to your written material. Not meant to be critical, or at least only in thr good sense, especially as you asked.
Ann, ha ha that was exactly my feeling about the video! Painfully long. 3 - 5 mins is probably the limit for me to watch a vid. But my editor suggested I try it to see what the reaction would be. Glad I did, as I’m getting a pretty clear sense of what [b]old readers want.
You seem to want to stretch yourself – might I urge you to look inside yourself and share your thoughts about what being your age feels like? I know you do this somewhat, but more often you ask questions and let your readers do the answering. I would welcome more thoughts from you! And yes, that is challenging, but that is the point.
Know what? As a (b)old person I prefer reading to listening, or to watching videos on the computer (much as I love watching the news on TV, and movies, movies, movies). I'm a lifelong, inveterate reader. For years, as an arts journalist, I I did live interviews (in person or on the phone). Sometimes they were Q&A, sometimes narrative. I was sometimes nervous beforehand, but always prepared, and I enjoyed the challenge of writing up my material. I agree completely with Nancy, below -- I look for the transcript! I process information so much better when I can read it!
I absolutely think so, Debbie! I was born in '46 -- first wave of the boom. I went to Chicago public schools and learned to read and write really, really well. In the '80s, at the dawn of "outcome-based education," I was teaching undergrads who could barely read and write and was astounded that this could be the case; today, kids live on their cell phones and read and write in emojis and rudimentary codes that only they understand, which is why the press had to explain to all of us older folks that "Kamala is brat" means! Reading, as we know it, has been "out" for decades"...
Hi Debbie. Great article - my response is that I am shy and hate seeing myself on camera, particularly video. I cringe both inwardly and outwardly! Is that really me? So in answer to your question, it’s the written word for me. I’m available for a writer’s Q&A if you need volunteers? At 65 my debut novel is about to be published. My email is: rosygee345@gmail.com if you want to get in touch.
Rosy, ha ha me too (hate seeing myself on camera). For better or worse, I've gotten more used to that. Also more comfortable hearing my voice on a podcast. For a while, I couldn't even bring myself to listen to recorded episodes.
I have read some of your posts and after seeing you in the breakout room this morning with the Artist's Way group, I came to see this video conversation which I like and I'll try and tell you why. First I can see both of you thinking while you're talking to each other and the authenticity of a live interview rather than one that is planned and canned has a lot of appeal for me. I read and listen to many different people and sources. It's the conversation, similar to the ones David Letterman has with his guests who need no introduction. I'm sure many of the questions are thought about or planned in advance. Printed interviews, talk to text, has some appeal too. The spontaneity and creativity of your video come through visually as well as audibly. I am a newbie with Ss, and I don't want to waste precious time reading through a post to decide whether or not I want to respond. With a live interview or conversation, I can switch off if it isn't holding my attention. That conversation between you and Julie Roxanne was more than "interesting" because in your exploring this video idea from those two perspectives, creator and consumer, I learned a lot. I am a big fan of learning! Thanks, Debbie!
Gary, your feedback is so interesting (and helpful); thanks for being patient enough to watch this vid! And yes, I am writing for [b]old men as well as women! I need to address that point more directly and will do so in a future post.
Thanks, Debbie. I know there are other men who would welcome the opportunity to read your good work and perhaps in the future, to see and hear it too. G/
Hi Deb; I love having the choice of either watching/listening to a podcast or reading the transcript. I'm not always in a place where I can turn on volume.
How wonderful you put in 5 years w/ your podcast! Kudos! I still like the written word but do enjoy the ease of also being able to listen to something while I walk or whatever. It's a nice choice to have.
I learned a lot from you both by listening and reading this. I appreciate they you evaluated aspects of recording a video vs writing a Substack post. I realized I would have to rethink using video as an interview for a series I was thinking about doing as I listened because I realized I prefer reading over listening. I must confess I listened and did not watch because I was multi-tasking as I listened and found I kept losing interest.
As journalist I much prefer to meet an interviewee in person, however nowadays many don’t want to and they want you to email the questions. This tends to super busy people and the younger generation.
![[B]OLD AGE with Debbie Weil](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_80,h_80,c_fill,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep,g_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fdb1d7636-a0e5-44ef-846d-a6df558eff16_1280x1280.png)
![[B]OLD AGE with Debbie Weil](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_36,h_36,c_fill,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep,g_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fdb1d7636-a0e5-44ef-846d-a6df558eff16_1280x1280.png)
![[B]OLD AGE with Debbie Weil](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/e_trim:10:white/e_trim:10:transparent/h_72,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fb939748d-5d80-4d0f-867c-2ed252ac633c_1344x256.png)
I can read much faster than I can listen so I always look for a transcript. 📝
Nancy, did you find the AI-generated transcript for this video? It should be visible at the top of the post. It's unedited and kind of wordy... Curious, did you try to read the transcript instead of watching?? Or did you skip everything except a quick skim of the post? No judgment, just trying to learn the habits and preferences of [B]old Age readers. Thanks!
Yes I found it and skimmed it. And I skimmed the post. I would have read everything had it been a topic in which I was more interested. No judgment, it’s a case of not all things are of equal interest. 😄
Hello there. Interesting to hear that it is SubStack pushing creators to provide more diverse forms of contact. I’d wondered why some of my people were now providing audio versions of their written work. I’m 65 and I still prefer to read, but because the option is there it’s been handy to listen to a post while I’m preparing veges for tea for example.
(I read this post in the middle of the night then waited until morning to listen to the Zoom session. The audio takes more concentration for me and didn’t add a lot to what I’d read overnight.)
I’m definitely not someone who ‘multitasks’ when I’m out walking. I live in the glorious countryside. There’s no way I’m going to block out the birds and dogs and walkers by listening to a podcast. And thankfully most of my fellow walkers are like me. Walks become a wonderful way of developing community. I love living in a country village.
And since the weather is a worldwide thing - it’s a very frosty cold Saturday morning down here in my part of Australia. -3.7C, or 25 degrees F. Brrrrrr…. Nice to lie in bed to catch up on Substack. Thanks so much for your contribution. Hugs and best wishes.
I can see that you and your colleague were enjoying the process of teasing out your answers (and yes, that is interesting at the time), but I didn't get to the end, because it seemed very slow to watch. Much prefer to hear the arguments written down and honed. No, it didn't add to your written material. Not meant to be critical, or at least only in thr good sense, especially as you asked.
Ann, ha ha that was exactly my feeling about the video! Painfully long. 3 - 5 mins is probably the limit for me to watch a vid. But my editor suggested I try it to see what the reaction would be. Glad I did, as I’m getting a pretty clear sense of what [b]old readers want.
You seem to want to stretch yourself – might I urge you to look inside yourself and share your thoughts about what being your age feels like? I know you do this somewhat, but more often you ask questions and let your readers do the answering. I would welcome more thoughts from you! And yes, that is challenging, but that is the point.
Know what? As a (b)old person I prefer reading to listening, or to watching videos on the computer (much as I love watching the news on TV, and movies, movies, movies). I'm a lifelong, inveterate reader. For years, as an arts journalist, I I did live interviews (in person or on the phone). Sometimes they were Q&A, sometimes narrative. I was sometimes nervous beforehand, but always prepared, and I enjoyed the challenge of writing up my material. I agree completely with Nancy, below -- I look for the transcript! I process information so much better when I can read it!
Susan, huge thanks for the feedback. Now you've got me wondering... maybe this really is an age / generational thing to prefer reading - ?
I absolutely think so, Debbie! I was born in '46 -- first wave of the boom. I went to Chicago public schools and learned to read and write really, really well. In the '80s, at the dawn of "outcome-based education," I was teaching undergrads who could barely read and write and was astounded that this could be the case; today, kids live on their cell phones and read and write in emojis and rudimentary codes that only they understand, which is why the press had to explain to all of us older folks that "Kamala is brat" means! Reading, as we know it, has been "out" for decades"...
Hi Debbie. Great article - my response is that I am shy and hate seeing myself on camera, particularly video. I cringe both inwardly and outwardly! Is that really me? So in answer to your question, it’s the written word for me. I’m available for a writer’s Q&A if you need volunteers? At 65 my debut novel is about to be published. My email is: rosygee345@gmail.com if you want to get in touch.
Rosy, ha ha me too (hate seeing myself on camera). For better or worse, I've gotten more used to that. Also more comfortable hearing my voice on a podcast. For a while, I couldn't even bring myself to listen to recorded episodes.
I have read some of your posts and after seeing you in the breakout room this morning with the Artist's Way group, I came to see this video conversation which I like and I'll try and tell you why. First I can see both of you thinking while you're talking to each other and the authenticity of a live interview rather than one that is planned and canned has a lot of appeal for me. I read and listen to many different people and sources. It's the conversation, similar to the ones David Letterman has with his guests who need no introduction. I'm sure many of the questions are thought about or planned in advance. Printed interviews, talk to text, has some appeal too. The spontaneity and creativity of your video come through visually as well as audibly. I am a newbie with Ss, and I don't want to waste precious time reading through a post to decide whether or not I want to respond. With a live interview or conversation, I can switch off if it isn't holding my attention. That conversation between you and Julie Roxanne was more than "interesting" because in your exploring this video idea from those two perspectives, creator and consumer, I learned a lot. I am a big fan of learning! Thanks, Debbie!
Gary, your feedback is so interesting (and helpful); thanks for being patient enough to watch this vid! And yes, I am writing for [b]old men as well as women! I need to address that point more directly and will do so in a future post.
Thanks, Debbie. I know there are other men who would welcome the opportunity to read your good work and perhaps in the future, to see and hear it too. G/
Hi Deb; I love having the choice of either watching/listening to a podcast or reading the transcript. I'm not always in a place where I can turn on volume.
Thx!
How wonderful you put in 5 years w/ your podcast! Kudos! I still like the written word but do enjoy the ease of also being able to listen to something while I walk or whatever. It's a nice choice to have.
I learned a lot from you both by listening and reading this. I appreciate they you evaluated aspects of recording a video vs writing a Substack post. I realized I would have to rethink using video as an interview for a series I was thinking about doing as I listened because I realized I prefer reading over listening. I must confess I listened and did not watch because I was multi-tasking as I listened and found I kept losing interest.
As journalist I much prefer to meet an interviewee in person, however nowadays many don’t want to and they want you to email the questions. This tends to super busy people and the younger generation.
I have bad eyes so I usually listen whether it’s your voice or AI, I also can speed it up.