Christopher’s answer to “What do you like to do to relax?” > Likes and Comments

Thank you for highlighting this phenomenon, Chris. Long ago, I found that consuming most entertainment media to no longer be a passive act. Instead, watching a film or reading a book became checking up on the competition, live mental editing, and of course, comparative fodder for my internal critic (who I picture as Leona Helmsley w/a red pen). The sad truth is that when you create in the same art form you're trying to enjoy as pure entertainment, your ability to suspend disbelief disappears. Headphones w/music at "caution: any louder and you'll damage your hearing" volume is the only way I come close to not thinking while being entertained. Most of my friends who have careers in music read ... go figure.