Sunday, July 29, 2012

Where Has All the Quiet Gone?

I had to give a "thumbs up" to this post on my Facebook feed by Robyn Ringler:

"I have often felt that, as a society, public places have become too loud. Also, at weddings and other big family parties, the music often plays so very loud, you can't even talk to all the relatives and friends you hoped to catch up with. I find myself seeking out restaurants and coffee shops where the noise level is low enough to actually carry on a conversation. Does anyone else feel this way?"

I do!

Indoor noise pollution is on the rise. Loud music, tables crammed together in restaurants, beepers beeping, crazy cell phone ring tone intruders, text messages chiming in from every direction, and, as far as I'm concerned, TV is the biggest culprit of all. 

In the beginning TV was entertaining and harmless. Families gathered in their living rooms at the end of the day to watch shows like—




—three network channels to choose from and a fuzzy PBS. Then, like a discreet dandelion in a meadow, TVs spread far and wide. They are everywhere. In gyms, TVs are sprawled across the walls or attached to every cardio machine. TVs are in minivans, inside computers and in billions of rooms in houses, hotels and schools around the world. Most bars have at least three. One restaurant I dined in once had a portable flat screen in every booth where the flip jukeboxes used to be.

Just look at the first bullet from a Kindle Fire ad on Amazon.com:

  • Over 20 million movies, TV shows, songs, magazines, and books 
Isn't it ironic that a device designed for reading displays movies and TV before books?

Where does the TV invasion bug me most? Doctors' waiting rooms. I actually used to look forward to going to medical appointments just for the wait. Find a comfy chair, open an ignored book or thumb through one of the office magazines. Maybe find out if Jennifer Aniston ever had that baby or how Princess Kate and Queen Elizabeth are getting along. Now, there's too much background noise to focus—the TV blaring, the fish tank gurgling, office machines rumbling, other patients chatting on their cell phones. No wonder more people than ever are taking blood pressure medicine. Could it be related to noise?

For the answer, go to:  http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/20/nyregion/in-new-york-city-indoor-noise-goes-unabated.html

The way the TV weed is spreading, we'll soon see these noisemakers attached to our grocery carts and as an amenity at campsites.

As Robyn asked, "Does anyone else feel this way?"

KICK BACK BOOK OF THE WEEK:
AWOL on the Appalachian Trail by David Miller. At age 42, David Miller escapes the noise of the world to fulfill a dream and hike the 2,172 mile Appalachian Trail from Georgia to Maine. Mesmerizing descriptions of nature, fear, isolation, reflection and determination.

KICK BACK SONG OF THE WEEK:
One sound that never turns into noise is rain falling. This song by Dar Williams recognizes its loveliness in The Beauty of the Rain.



A LITTLE SOMETHING EXTRA:


An excerpt from my soon to be released novel, A Stop in the Park, where the main character, Michael Stolis, contemplates what to do about his noisy home:

The congestion finally dissipated and Michael drove down the tree-lined brick street where his Federal-style home welcomed him. When the driveway came into view, he couldn't make himself pull in. Behind the front door, the TV would be blaring, the kids would be bickering and Jamie would be blasting her iPod in the kitchen. He just knew it. He let the car idle in front of the house and sat as still as a frozen tree branch, not sure what to do. If he went inside, he'd explode. 

26 comments:

  1. Peggy, where has all the peace in this world gone? It use to be the police would knock at the door when noise was too loud and tickets could or would be issued. Or a siimple walk along the beach would give you time to reflect but now, everywhere those moments can be captured, (as you said) cell phones ring, portable CD's rock, groups of people gather with music blaring and what was once a place to relax with silence, has now become deafening! I wonder if even the mountain top is that way as well?
    I can hardly wait to get a copy of your book! You wite with such interest and style!
    Blessings,
    Rosemary

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    1. Rosemary ~ I hike relatively often and you'd be surprised at the number of people who listen to iPods as they trek up the mountain. I have seen people talk on their cell phones on top of mountains if there's service.
      As far as my book goes, I'll be sure to give out a discount code to my Linkedin friends. You are a wonderful support. As always, thanks for stopping by. ~ Peggy

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  2. I absolutely feel this way and was discussing it with a friend. I think the only way to make our feelings known is to "Make a bigger noise" by complaining and stating how we feel in every way possible. Complain to managers, Aske people to keep it down in groups. ask for respect.

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    1. I agree Rita. Next time I go to the Dr.'s office I'll ask if they can turn off the TV. I wonder if anyone would really miss it.

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  3. Good point and very true. My bigger concern, though noiseless for the most part, is the overuse of cell phones, especially when I see a young parent ignore her child while she texts away. No wonder marriages are under attack. We don't know how to communicate in our relationships anymore.

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    1. You are so right Linneann. When the text message beep goes off, people seem compelled to respond no matter what. It would be awful if a child was hurt because of a texting parent. As much as I hope it doesn't happen, I won't be surprised if we read about a tragedy because of a texting parent in the future.

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  4. That is so me! I really NEED quiet and we were just talking about that Friday night. We were out to dinner with friends and the music was playing so softly in the background that I didn't even realize music was playing--just the way background music should be! Great post as always!

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  5. Peggy,

    I hear you! Sometimes I'd just rather not have the T.V. on. I love pleasant classical music and especially the soothing meditation CDs of rain and water. So moving to me.

    This ia a great post.
    Cherrye
    http://www.BooksThatSow.com

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    1. I also love the sound of rain falling. It just might be my favorite although ocean waves crashing and wind blowing also provide an amazing calming effect.

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  6. Peggy,this was a great post on a real problem. I have an autoimmune disease and loud noises, bright lights and chaos can actually make me physically sick and dioriented. Many people react this way. I agree with Linneann that the cell phones pose a serious possibility of ilnesses like cancer and those texting constantly now will one day have carpel tunnel syndrome so bad they won't be able to type.Lights and noise can also set off migraine headaches. Noise pollution is a growing problem and I yearn for the sounds of silence--yes silence has its own sound.

    Peggy, this is a great hook for what looks to be an excellent book--hurry up and finish it so we can read it!!

    Hugs. Micki

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    1. Micki ~ You sound like my mom (and that's a good thing). She's always asking if that darn book is finished yet. My planned release date is September 20. Believe me, you'll hear about it. Always love it when you stop in. Hugs backatcha.

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  7. I agree with every word you wrote. I also think that by constantly being "plugged in," people are not living in the moment, and they're missing a lot. Many times I've seen a mother walking her child in a stroller while talking on a cell phone. She could be pointing out birds and flowers--acknowledging her child's presence--sharing the moment. What a shame for both mother and child when a cell phone call or text takes precedence over their time together.

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    1. From what you and Linneann write, mothers texting and on cell phones will be the next big problem. I never paid much attention to it, but you're right. I used to constantly point things out to my sons on walks, in the car, etc. Not happening so much anymore.

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  8. Indeed, where HAS all the quiet gone! For me (us I should say), leaving the beaches of Panama City, Florida was the best move ever - No more sirens blaring as the ambulances weave in and out the heavily trafficed streets, no more dogs barking and yelping with their owners trying to shout above the howls, no more radios blasting the neighborhood as the next door neighbor parties all night long, no more two-hour trips to the grocery store just because traffic is slowed to a crawl on Hathaway Bridge...

    Give me the quiet countryside of south Georgia any day of the week - the smell of freshly mown grass as the dew glistens in the early morning light, the songs of the birds awakening to a new day, butterflies flitting and fluttering among the flowers whilst I sit in my rocking chair on the back porch as the steam rises from my coffee cup and dissipates in the air. NO TV, NO TELEPHONE allowed (at least for a short while anyway)!

    Sorry I got so long-winded but I was hooked the minute I read the title:>)

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    1. Your description about Georgia makes me want to hop in. A wonderful word portrait, Sharla.

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  9. I thought I was the only one who craved more quiet in the home, office, and public places. If I were younger and some extra money, I would open a restaurant that had quiet classical or new age music playing, ambience of white table cloths, comfortable chairs, and books on walls (for customers to have or check-out) and delicious, healthy food with small servings and reasonably priced.

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    1. Hi Karen ~ This actually sounds like a wonderful idea. I bet a restaurant like this would do great. I know I'd be a frequent visitor.

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  10. Where has all the quiet gone? Much of it went out of style when middle-aged "men," searching for meaning in their mundane existence, thought it would be cool to ride a motorcycle equipped with illegal aftermarket exhaust mechanisms blaring out decibels two-to-three times the legal 80 dBA maximum requirement of the EPA muffler originally installed on the bike at the factory. Our police, judges, legislators,are too participatory and apathetic to protect us from these thuggish loud individuals who are frantically searching for acceptance and camaraderie among like minded miscreants. American families are assaulted daily by these arrogant, selfish, bullish, individuals but very little, if anything, is done. Our legislators, mayors, sheriffs, police chiefs, cower to the motorcycle activists and lobbyists while far too many of our city leaders prostitute themselves for the all mighty dollar generated by hosting motorcycle rallies instead of protecting and serving the tax paying citizens within their jurisdiction. Where has the quiet gone??? Try to enjoy yourself at an outside restaurant, coffee shop, wedding, a walk in the park...you will inevitably be bombarded by the dangerous, illegal and intrusive noise of a loud motorcycle, automobile, truck...and you ask, Where has the quiet gone?

    RickeyD
    Houston PD/Retired

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    1. Hi Rickey ~ Thanks for stopping by. I didn't know about the 80dBA maximum, as I'm sure many don't. Stay away from Lake George, NY in the summer. They have a huge motorcycle rally. I think I can hear the rumblings 45 miles away.

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  11. I often used to think that one came to dislike noise more and more as one gets older. I think , for me personally, this is true in one sense. But you're right in that the world is generally becoming nosier in so many ways, and places are indeed more crowded. I'm sure that it does all contribute to increased stress and elevated blood pressure!
    Interestingly, my 11 year old son has always disliked loud noises -we still have to give him ear plugs when we go to the cinema and he's dreading having to attend a family wedding this September in case the music is too loud.
    Peggy, great posts and reviews. Now following you from Bookblogs. Look forward to keeping in touch. You're more than welcome to see mine:http://lowfellwritersplace.blogspot.co.uk/
    All the best
    Suzy

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    1. Thanks for stopping by Suzy. I will certainly return the visit.

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  12. Thank you Peggy! I stopped watching TV about five years ago, for reasons other than noise. When I see it and watch for a few minutes I am absolutely appalled at what is allowed to be said, and shown on TV now. What ever happened to the 10 banned words? Is there only one now? I too much more appreciate the sounds of birds singing and cicadas chirping to crotch rocket motorcycles and bass speakers so loud that my car also thumps like the shocks are gone! Great post. Also, I really like the preview of the book. Excellent teaser!

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  13. Peggy, I've nominated you for the Reader Appreciation Award! You can find more details about this award on my blog at http://www.kidscandoit.com/blog/
    Congratulations Peggy!

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  14. hi, very interesting perspective on noise. We also have many more people diagnosed with autism and they are usually highly sensitive to noises.

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    1. It's true, Rhonda. I'm a speech-language pathologist and have worked with many students with Autism. The group in general does have a very low tolerance for noise.

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