Conclusion: TKS saves you time.
Applications are open! Apply to TKS: https://referrals.tks.world/3pOzqdY (use code LAGA0610 for $200 off your tuition)
Connect with Amy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-li-61b4121b7/
TKS is a scam Reddit post: https://www.reddit.com/r/ApplyingToCollege/comments/gpma02/the_knowledge_society_tks_is_a_scam_review_of_the/
Release notes are where I write about the decision making process behind episodes. You can think of it as a small behind-the-scenes.
I used to put links and release notes on a separate website (first.lauragao.ca), but it's more work for not much improvement to content. As of now, I can fit all the links into the description. It's probably more convenient this way for listeners as well.
Editing: Jan 24 1-5:30pm, with a few breaks in between (~3.5-4 hours)
This podcast was originally a 3 hour long discussion with Amy. I was planning to release the full thing as one episode, but then I got some great feedback from Ethan Hansen to keep episodes under an hour. Now, I decided I'm going to release the content from the conversation in a 3 part series. (Ethan's the host of Quantum Computing Now - check out his podcast: https://anchor.fm/quantumcomputingnow)
I changed how I plan to organize this series soooo many times in the span of 4 hours. Here is the full list of changes:
One single 3 hour episode [Don't cut out any sections]
Three episodes, each with one main idea [Don't cut out any sections]
One single episode of "highlights," where I compile the most interesting insights throughout the discussion. [Cut everything except for the best]
Highlights split into many 10 minute chunks, and publish each 10 minute chunk as an episode [Cut everything except for the best]
Four episodes - 3 main "reviews of TKS", 1 episode explaining what TKS is [Cut out sections that don't add value]I did not cut out any "um"s, "like"s, "so"s, other filler words, stumbles, or speaking mistakes. Partly because the opportunity cost is too high: it'll double my time spent editing, time that I could be working on my animation ;) The harms outweigh the benefits - stuttering in conversational podcasts don't decrease the listener experience too much, and besides, what listeners? (+ it may benefit the listener experience as it adds authenticity.) And partly because I want a layer of authenticity for myself; I don't want to present my speaking abilities as better than they are.
Going forward, I will not be deleting any filler words.
In past episodes, I didn't cut out any sections of the conversations. Why not? I didn't trust my judgement. What if a section that I don't consider valuable is helpful for someone else? What if I consider some sections unhelpful only because I disagree with what the other person is saying? This episode was the first time that I cut out some chunks. Framing it as "highlights" helped me: instead of "deleting sections that don't add value," I looked at it as "keeping only the most valuable sections."
For future episodes, I'm leaning towards preserving the entire conversation except for places that are certainly unhelpful. I still don't trust my judgement very much.
