Comment by Brian_K_White

Maybe working out requires attention like a sport if you're trying to eploy proper technique and be observant of pains or signs, develop, etc.

I miss nothing from listening to books while driving, doing the dishes, other houshold chores, puttering in the garage like working on a bike or car, even home repars that are somewhat technical, even electronics if only the solding/building part.

The only time I can't listen to a book (and actually get anything out of it) is when my forground activity requires the same kinds of facilities. For instance with the electronics. Listening to a book while soldering a pcb is no problem at all. The two things don't conflict, and neither hurts the other. But I can't work on the design of that same pcb whilke listening to a book. In that case the schematic gets designed fine and the book is a blank like I slept through it. pcb layout is kinda half-way. It's more visual/spacial, which is almost like doing some ordinary manual task, but it does take more problem solving attention and the book loses out somewhat sometimes.

But for all kinds of activities it's like two different things that don't impact each other at all.

Even creative things as long as it's in a different domain like drawing vs having some politics explained.

I can't listen to a book and write a song at the same time. Or code.

Cad is like pcb layout kinda 50/50 so I might still put something on but just a podcast where I don't care if I miss something.