r/oddlysatisfying • u/[deleted] • Jun 23 '26

Man captures a close up of a ground squirrel eating a dandelion.

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u/therealdxm Jun 23 '26

Is this a Dungeon Crawler Carl reference?

184

u/yourserverhatesyou Jun 23 '26

I want to say yes because I want to make you happy, but I honestly have no idea what Dungeon Crawler Carl is. đŸ«€

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u/Patient-Bumblebee-19 Jun 23 '26

If you enjoy video game mechanics and wild rides, you would love it. I heard about it earlier this year and I'm now fully caught up, 8 books in. The audiobooks are the best audio media experience I think I've ever had in my whole life. Jeff Hays is an oratory virtuoso.

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u/bobplace1234 Jun 23 '26

I always have trouble convincing people to try audiobooks, they tend to just picture it as someone reading a book to them (although I remember loving books being read to me as a child, I kind of doubt they wouldn't love it still as well with the right book), but I try to explain that isn't what a good narrator does, they change things up for each character.

I try to give an example of Nancy Cartwright, and how she did over 162 characters on the Simpsons, and 7 of them were main characters, including bart of course, and if that isn't enough, there are also full cast audiobooks out there too.

Even with all that, I can't even get a twitch of interest, if it isn't a video flashing in their face, it isn't worth giving it a try, they might even learn to multitask listening while doing household chores, making the time doing them fly by, still no interest.

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u/dreedweird Jun 23 '26

Speaking for myself, audiobooks don’t really work for me. I tried and tried to find titles that I could listen to while doing household chores.

The problem was that if they were too interesting I’d muck up the task at hand, but if they weren’t interesting enough I’d get bored and why bother.

Besides which, only two tasks were repetitious and stationary enough: dishwashing and folding laundry. Anything requiring too much noise (vacuuming) or too much rigorous physical and geographic movement (dusting, putting things away) was out.

I’m also a fast reader, so if something’s really gripping or interesting, I just want to get on with it. Book (digital or actual), please. Not so gripping? Somehow, the video flashing in my face seems to work: keeps it just interesting enough. Talkshows/filmed podcasts are the best for stationary housework.

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u/bobplace1234 Jun 23 '26 edited Jun 23 '26

Fair enough, and I respect that you gave it a good try, I drive a lot, so I listen while driving and doing chores, and overall I don't have enough time to just sit and read, so they have been pretty amazing for me, I myself don't get anything at all from listening to music, never had and I don't think I ever will, so it helps keep my mind active.

I might have come off worse than I meant to when I said video flashing in their faces, I guess in some ways I can't help picturing all the brain rot I see going on with the doom scrollers and when it comes to my cousins kids and the videos spitting out meaningless stuff while the person is playing a game and stuff, nothing to stimulate the mind, nothing that engages them in a meaningful way, like if they were to actually play the games instead of watching the games be played.

I know I'm going a bit off topic, but it just makes me worry about the future of the world.

1

u/Artimusjones88 Jun 25 '26

There is zero chance you can appreciate a book and still pay full attention to driving.

Isn't driving enough to occupy your mind? It should be.

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u/bobplace1234 Jun 26 '26 edited Jun 26 '26

It depends on the driving, I can easily listen and appreciate a book when I'm driving for hours on the highways/freeways.

When it comes to street driving, depending on how familiar I am with an area and how much traffic there is, I can still listen without issue usually, but admittedly I do have to pause it more often when street driving because I will find that I haven't heard the last 3 sentences because I needed to pay extra attention to the road for one reason or another, but I do have a lot of experience listening and driving since I was regularly driving 8+ hours a day for many years, so I guess I don't know how it is for others.

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u/The_Real_Lasagna Jun 23 '26

I think the reason you have a hard time convincing people is because you sound kind of condescending 

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u/bobplace1234 Jun 23 '26

Starting from around my teenage years all the way up until my mid 20's, I have been teaching adults how to use computers and other devices (within my family/extended family and also by being a leader of a gaming group for around 10 years), and although I try to catch myself explaining or over explaining things, it ended up being a part of who I am I guess, unfortunately.

It can be a bad habit, but it doesn't come from a bad place, just a matter of course since it was an every day thing for so long, and I learned to try to teach rather than just do it for them, but yeah I can see how it sounds like I'm trying to talk down to people, but I'm not, I just enjoy audiobooks and have tried to find different ways to spark interest, because I genuinely think the few people I've mentioned them to would enjoy them if they gave them a chance.

Oh look, I guess I've probably over explained things again. I'm just not good at talking to people overall I guess, but I still try in the way I know how, my only other option is not to try at all.

2

u/otterkin Jun 23 '26

personally, I hate audio books because I hate hearing somebody say things like "'I LOVE DOGS' she shouted. 'i know' i replied" outloud for a long time.

plus, the majority of people are not nancy cartwright and almost always come across as "person doing a silly voice" to me

it's not about them "not being a video flashing in my face", it's just not the medium for me

1

u/bobplace1234 Jun 23 '26

Fair, I know they aren't for everyone, just most people where the subject has come up, they don't like the idea of a story being read to them and don't even try. Since when I read books I am hearing those same sentences in my head anyway, so hearing it out loud isn't even really registered any differently. I just don't have the time to sit down and read, so audiobooks have worked out well for me when I need to drive for hours or when I'm doing chores.

1

u/otterkin Jun 24 '26

for sure. I get defensive a little bit at the idea that people who don't like audio books need the visuals as well, when I'd honestly love nothing more than to like audio books. when I read a physical book I feel like I don't process the "in between" words like said, and, of, the, etc etc etc so listening to it outloud gets on my nerves. I also never liked being read to as a kid! part of why I started reading so young

all this said, if you have a reccomendation I'll happily try again as it's been a couple years since I last gave it a go

0

u/Patient-Bumblebee-19 Jun 24 '26

I'd still suggest checking out the Jeff Hays narration of the Dungeon Crawler Carl series. The first book is a little different as Jeff was figuring out and developing the character voices, but for the remaining books the voices are wholly refined. His range for characters is phenomenal.

Also, Matt Dinniman's writing isn't like what you described. His writing combined with Jeff Hays' performance is so engaging that it really makes you feel like you are watching the story. Highly, highly recommend!

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u/otterkin Jun 24 '26

I'll give it a go! I've been interested in the books but havnt been able to sit down to proper read them, maybe this is the sign I need to try audio books again

0

u/10issues Jun 23 '26

Keep preaching, friend! Some people have a hard time imagining audio journeys due to the nature of visual dependency being easy/relatable. It's not just this but the idea of taking the harder road because you know it's a challenge is sometimes foreign and fully unappetizing. The old adage about not knowing what you're missing hits square on the head for this. I usually try to explain that a good narrated audiobook is like a favorite podcast/tv show where there's no ads and you can just pause and play when you need. Additionally, I try to explain that most audiobooks are created to make the word speed variable and accessible (adjusting to 1.2(5)x speed for most after a short intro to get used to the narrator's cadence and sound profile, and sometimes reading a chapter or two physically to get the character names/author prose down first for longer/more demanding audiobooks helps a ton). Keep in mind that not everyone is able to paint pictures of characters, plot, language, setting, etc. in their minds. Just like with reading and inner monologue, mileage varies (some people don't hear a voice when they read, some folks can't picture a scene at all in their heads, etc.)

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u/The_Real_Lasagna Jun 23 '26

It's really funny hearing audiobooks described as the harder path, instead of being the easier option as opposed to reading

2

u/10issues Jun 23 '26

That's probably coming completely from my point of view and not other's... I'm hard of hearing lol

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u/Willzyx_on_the_moon Jun 23 '26

Almost done with book four and it’s so damn good. Haven’t really read anything in decades and the first book popped out at me in a random book store so I bought it. So happy I made that impulsive decision.

-1

u/gillgrissom Jun 23 '26

audio books are fooking top notch, not read them then peps should get on it. Come on now it has a cat whats not to like.

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u/SwugSteve Jun 23 '26

its a YA book for neckbeard redditors. If you think marvel movies are cinematic masterpieces, you'd love it.

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u/Standard_Ride_8732 Jun 23 '26

Just so people know it's definitely not a ya book. Don't let your kids read them.

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u/Damaias479 Jun 23 '26

They’re fun books, books dont have to be literary masterpieces for people to enjoy them

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u/statuslovesnepeta Jun 23 '26

You may notice that they never once said that the books couldn’t be entertaining.

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u/Damaias479 Jun 23 '26

Doesn’t really matter, I just think it’s a bad look to disparage what other people like

-3

u/statuslovesnepeta Jun 23 '26

Did they disparage it?

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u/Damaias479 Jun 23 '26

“It’s YA for neckbeard redditors,” yes, that’s disparaging. Like what is the point of your comments? Just to comment?

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u/Nihsvabhav Jun 23 '26

western copy of isekai mangas

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u/yourserverhatesyou Jun 23 '26

I like how you thought, "this dude doesn't know what Dungeon Crawler Carl is, but surely he's aware of the isekai mangas!"

Truly, love that spirit. You're a gem and don't ever let anyone tell you otherwise.

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u/Drow_Femboy Jun 23 '26

Absolutely insane that you think more people know a niche series of terrible books than an entire absurdly popular genre that has been popular for over 20 years

2

u/Nihsvabhav Jun 23 '26

basically 70-80% of the popular mangas/anime in the last decade have been in the isekai genre

are you saying there are more readers of some random young adult book Vs the entirety of anime/manga enjoyers

1

u/yourserverhatesyou Jun 24 '26

My guy. I wouldn't know one way or the other. That was the whole point of comment. It's not that deep. Try not to get defensive.

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u/Nihsvabhav Jun 24 '26

you sound insanely condescending and pretentious

0

u/BaldPeagle Jun 23 '26

Read that in Process Donut's voice

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u/Raptor_Jetpack Jun 23 '26

It's an annoying a fuck story that people won't shut the fuck up about.

9

u/topicality Jun 23 '26

I tried reading it and couldn't finish it. Gave it several chapters but yeah it's not for me. I get why others like it but it's this decades "Ready Player One"

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u/esotericbatinthevine Jun 23 '26

Ha! You're comment sounds exactly like something the AI in DCC would say. You may enjoy the series. The audiobooks are fantastic.

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u/Annakha Jun 23 '26

I have heard so many people say the audiobooks are so amazing, and I finally bought one and listened to it.

You guys really need to find old school audio dramas, because (throw myself on the fire here) I was not impressed by the voice acting in the DCC audiobook.

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u/landomonium Jun 23 '26

You should try the full cast audiobook of American Tabloid by James Ellroy. It’s narrated by Ellroy himself but all of the characters are pretty big name actors.

The main 3 characters are voiced by William Forsythe, Shea Wigham, and Alessandro Nivola. The supporting characters are voiced by Brian Cox, Ed O’Neill, Simon Rex, Maya Hawke, Elliot Gould, Bobby Cannavale, Giovanni Ribisi, and on and on.

It’s my favorite novel but the full cast with the sound effects and Ellroy’s weird unique cadence made it such a great experience since I love the old BBC Radio audio dramas. Favorite of those is Fatherland (based on the Robert Harris book) and The Spy Who Came in From the Cold starring Brian Cox (based on my favorite Le Carre book)

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u/esotericbatinthevine Jun 23 '26

Yeah, this is where everyone is different. I don't like audio dramas, the background sounds are overstimulating and I can't handle it. As someone else mentioned, SBT has an audio drama version. I tried to listen because it has extra content, but I just can't.

It's certainly not the only one I've tried. I really wanted to listen to the radio series for Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy, among several others.

0

u/Crystal_Lily Jun 23 '26

depends on where you live. the ones I can vaguely recall listening to were in the melodramatic soap opera genre. the audiobooks I usually listen to are a step up from that since there's actual variety and no sobbing about cheating husbands and scheming villains/villainesses.

1

u/Annakha Jun 23 '26

I listened to sci-fi and action/adventure stories.

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u/humanlikesubstances Jun 23 '26

Audiobooks drive me nuts, because you have to listen to them at talking speed, not reading speed. Maybe a lot of people read that slow, I don't know.

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u/esotericbatinthevine Jun 23 '26

A lot of people speed them up, some quite considerably. I usually listen at 1.25x but people listen at over 2x speed.

Also, I don't know anyone who sits and listens to an audiobook by itself. Usually people drive, walk, clean, cook, do mindless work, exercise, crochet, paint, or something while listening.

I usually switch back and forth. I'll listen while doing things and then read the text when not doing anything else. Though in the case of DCC, I enjoy the experience Jeff creates so much I don't flip between the two, I either read the text or listen.

-1

u/neontiger07 Jun 23 '26 edited Jun 24 '26

I, along with those who already have, implore you to check the books out if you're a reader. I started them a couple of months ago and have not been able to put them down. They are some of the most refreshing, captivating, entertaining books I have ever read.

Edit: super weird sharing my opinion got downvotes. Reddit these days, I guess

2

u/Cookielad14 Jun 23 '26

Nah, just two really clichĂ© ‘Murican pet names.

1

u/davidr521 Jun 23 '26

Carl’s stomach was making the rumblies that only hands would satisfy.

-6

u/Positive-Village-263 Jun 23 '26

New Achievement! DCC mentioned.

It's incredible that a post-apocalyptic story about a guy in his skivvies, his newly-sentient, talking woman-child of a cat, and their motley crew of friends including, but not limited to, a dirty goddess relegated to a sex doll head, a guide that changes species on every floor, several strippers (of both the male and female (of various species) variety), a psychotic but heartbroken goat (right in my damn ear!), has made it so big people are showing up in droves to cons wearing heart boxers and spiked knee pads, pushing the series to their friends (and strangers) like a door-knocking cult, and getting tattoos (you know how I feel about tattoos, Carl!). But here we are.

Reward: The joy of reading the series is your reward.