two, Three, FOUR.

Subscribe RSS

Learning to put out a decent-sounding podcast has been quite the learning experience. Early on one problem was my tagline always got louder at the end. So I started saying “two, three, four” after the tagline. Now the counting gets louder and I cut it off.

I do understand the reason for this issue. When I run the compression algorithm to adjust the volume, it looks at what comes before and after to try to set the volume correctly. When what comes after is a long silence, it boosts the volume gradually for the last few seconds before the silence. I had the same problem on the front end of the podcast, so I also do a countdown from five before I give the intro. So any unwanted volume “correction” is done on the countdown and can be removed in post-production.

Humans do something similar. We consider what has happened in the recent past as far more significant than what happened further back. We amplify recent events both good and bad, seeing them as more than they are. Sometimes this is valid and sometimes it’s good. But sometimes it results in wrong conclusions and feelings that are based on something that’s not true.

For example, suppose your wife has generally been sexually available, but over the last month she has said no more often than not. If you are asked about your sex life you would be far more negative than you would have been a month ago, six months ago, or a year ago. You are more upset than you probably should be about the last month. If being available was the norm for years, then the odds are whatever is causing her to say no now is temporary. Of course, if you overreact based on this amplification of the last month, that could cause problems that will give her new reasons to say no to sex.

The reverse can happen too. She does better at something for a month and you assume that is the wonderful new norm. Then when she falls part way back to where she was you get upset – even though she is still way better than at any time during the year before the change. This can cause her to feel she can’t win or result in her thinking she shouldn’t try to improve because you will get mad if she settles on something halfway between the original and her attempt to do better.

Track records matter. Be they good or bad, what was normal for a long time should be seen as the real norm. Judge changes carefully against that norm, not a month of better or worse.

A post worth reading:

Dr. Corey Carlisle | It’s not personal ◄ Life happens and it’s not always personal.

Image Credit: © Argus | stock.adobe.com
Shop Amazon ♦ Shop to give links page
We’re donation supported Thanks for your help!
This post may contain affiliate links, see my disclosure for info.