Lounge Ruminator

How many things that you enjoy manage to end on a high? In this episode, we explore an example of Australian cultural cringe, a persistent pop-culture icon and someone who quit when the time was right. (Not to mention, this podcast now includes MP3 chapter artwork as a nice, little extra, so check out the […]

How do fans respond to the release of something that doesn’t fit their expectations? How is the current pandemic affecting podcasting? What does it mean to quantify yourself today and is it good for you? Notes

This week, my younger sister Jodie joins me on the podcast to discuss growing up, the habits that stick with us and the argument of nature versus nurture. Notes

Typography surrounds us—yet so many people ignore it. By paying better attention to type, how can we better appreciate its influence on us and how we communicate? Notes

In celebration of my wife Natasha’s birthday this week, I invited her on the podcast to discuss one of her absolute favourite things: cake. We ask the big questions, such as ‘What constitutes a cake?’ and ‘What role does cake play in our lives?’. Notes

A strange, yet mundane interlude to usher in a week of remote work…

A non-essential person considers what it means to be essential and discusses the televisual triumph that is Dave Holstein’s Kidding (no spoilers!). Notes

No day is free of silence or sound but how do we feel when confronted by each of them? With which do we generally prefer to surround ourselves? Notes

As use of powerful and accessible digital technology proliferates worldwide, how can we reconsider our approach to work and also reassess how we interact with news and information on the Web? Notes

Algorithms surround us in the technology that we use, the systems in which we work and even in the way that we approach everyday tasks. As we become more rational and process-driven in our lives, are we losing something more human about ourselves? Notes

Music videos are something that we take for granted; if a new single is released, then it comes with a video clip too. Given that we’re generally motivated to follow artists for their audio, what effect or influence does the video component have on us today? Notes

Collecting things is a very human thing to do… but why do we do it? After a significant and personal family event, Martin reconsiders the accepted habit of accumulating stuff—whether purchased or inherited from loved ones. Notes

Making friends with others as an adult is quite different from making friends as a kid. This week, Martin reflects on the experience of making a new friend beyond the typical context of school, university or work. Notes

Sport, film, television, music, food, technology, clothes, countries and even individuals have brands today and of course, their own fans… but is it enough to refer to them simply as fans? This week, an unexpected essay encourages Martin to see brand fandom in a new light. Notes

In the first episode for 2020, Martin reflects on his trip to the United States with Natasha, particularly how he attempted to make the most of it through journaling, communication with locals and a more thoughtful approach to photography. Notes

The years fly by… but rarely do we stop to appreciate how things have changed, along with how our use of technology has been reshaped by new tools. In this episode, Martin reflects on his own use of devices, starting with the seismic shift that was the iPad in 2010 and then focusing on 2019, […]

This week, Martin discusses the value of being truly present and attentive at live performances, along with how different kinds of product (smart or otherwise) can either inhibit or encourage this positive behaviour. Notes

No one likes spoilers. In this episode, Martin explains the lengths to which he has gone to avoid spoilers for the upcoming Star Wars movie Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker, along with what’s frustrating about modern trailers and how they could be changed to restore mystery and intrigue for audiences. Notes

These days, we’re all drowning in technological devices and social media… but does it have to be this way? In this episode, Martin reflects on his own use of online accounts, covering both the rubbish that he left behind and how he aims for more meaningful consumption and interaction today. Notes

It’s hard to find someone who doesn’t enjoy movies but some people don’t always think about the crucial role of the soundtrack. In this podcast episode, Martin is inspired by a noisy neighbour and a fellow Micro.blog user to discuss one of his favourite movie soundtracks and what makes it stand out from others, even […]

Design is all around us, whether in the physical products that we handle or the digital interfaces that we scroll, swipe and press. Martin ruminates on the importance of transparency and honesty in the design of interfaces, drawing on the work of Scolari and Mumford, along with Rams’s design principles. Notes

As an avid Apple Watch user since its release in 2015, Martin discusses how the device has changed both his behaviour and the way that he thinks about time. It’s a powerful, personal device that’s supposed to make things easier, yet many wish for custom faces and even more complications… but at what cost? Looking […]

In this first episode of the Lounge Ruminator podcast, Martin is inspired by a recent blog post by John Siracusa to discuss the lost art of super-short, printed film reviews and how they can help us to improve our digital communication today. Notes