Lessons in the Background Noise

Curating My Background Noise: What YouTube Has Taught Me About Focus, Fulfillment, and Filters

I used to think music helped me work—until I caught myself singing along more than typing. Silence, though, is too still. Too empty. Eventually, I found a sweet spot in the ambient buzz of YouTube videos. They became my background noise: not quite captivating enough to demand full attention, but just engaging enough to keep me company.

Of course, that’s not always the case. There are a few creators who pull me away from the task at hand, and honestly? I let them. These are the people whose channels are more than entertainment—they're unexpectedly instructive, inspiring, even comforting.

Julian Baumgartner: Mastery in the Monotony

Julian Baumgartner of Baumgartner Restoration is one of those creators I will absolutely drop everything for. A fine art restorer in Chicago, Illinois, Julian brings damaged paintings and forgotten canvases back to life, returning them—meticulously—to the artist’s original vision.

From the moment his video starts—with soft intro music and a clean, concise abstract—I’m drawn in. His narration is calm, almost meditative. He doesn’t gloss over the tedium: some cleaning processes can take weeks to do well. Julian makes it clear—mastery isn’t always glamorous. Much of it is slow, repetitive, and demanding. But the goal? Worth it. He reminds me that progress often means stepping back and “seeing the forest instead of the trees.”

Lessons from Julian Baumgartner:

• Mastery takes time and dedication.

• There is tedium and boredom in some of the work you do.

• The end product is worth working through the process.
  

Jamie Tracey, the Anti-Chef: Courage in the Kitchen

Then there’s Jamie Tracey, known online as The Anti-Chef. He’s not a classically trained chef—in fact, he wasn't even a home cook when he started his channel. And that’s what makes his videos so captivating.

Jamie chooses recipes from acclaimed chefs and cookbooks, then attempts them exactly as written. He films everything—successes, flops, and everything in between—and shares it with  honesty and a great sense of humor. Sometimes the food is amazing. Sometimes… not so much. He owns it either way.

What I love most is his creativity. He themes his series—like “Jamie and Julia”, where he dives into Julia Child’s cookbooks, or “cage-match” cook-offs where three chefs compete (unbeknownst to them) with the same dish. One of my favorites? The chocolate mousse showdown between Julia Child, Jacques Pepin, and Thomas Keller. Julia’s recipe won—and I immediately tracked it down, gathered the ingredients, and made it myself. “Order Up!” It was like eating chocolate clouds.

Lessons from the Anti-Chef:

• Mistakes will happen. Be ready to try again.

• Read carefully. Then improvise with confidence.

• And most importantly: laugh, even when dinner is a disaster.
  

“Gorl World” and the Darker Side of Digital Voyeurism

Not every channel adds value. Some—like those orbiting what’s known online as “Gorl World”—feel more like cautionary tales. These are channels built around reacting to specific women who chronicle their lives online, often to the detriment of themselves and those around them.

At first, it was fascinating in the way watching a train wreck can be. Some reactors tried to offer help, advice, even resources. But the chaos persisted, and over time, the lines between concern and criticism blurred. I realized that even passively watching felt like complicity. I deleted those videos from my algorithm. It was time.

Lessons from “Gorl World”:

• Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should.

• Opinions are like belly-buttons—everyone has one.

• Be nice. It’s good for your soul.

A Better Kind of Background Noise

As a retired widow, it’s easy to fall into the rabbit hole of YouTube. But now, I curate my digital environment more intentionally. YouTube still hums in the background while I work or clean or cook—but the voices I let in are thoughtful, instructive, kind. They teach me, challenge me, and sometimes, they even make me laugh when dinner is a disaster.

Because background noise isn’t just filler—it’s influence. And I’d rather be influenced by those who restore, who experiment, and who care.

Bethanne

04/23/2025