This Is Your Brain on Silence(nautil.us)
nautil.us
This Is Your Brain on Silence
http://nautil.us/issue/16/nothingness/this-is-your-brain-on-silence
11 comments
Yeah. Or work remotely from places that respect the sublime power of silence, like certain public libraries, especially academic libraries.
I think my love of silence is a big part of the whole foundation for my political and spiritual leanings. I loathe capitalism because it's noisy in all kinds of ways. And zazen, that speaks for itself.
I know many Zen practitioners from Finland. They're all so lovely; I lack words. The whole aesthetic of Zen: lightning on a black sky; the moonshine reflecting in the lake; the far-off bird cry... It's all Finland.
Compare all this to the typical open office. Why do we accept such painful environments? How can some people be so comfortable in full-time office jobs? It chafes on me like a hairshirt.
I think my love of silence is a big part of the whole foundation for my political and spiritual leanings. I loathe capitalism because it's noisy in all kinds of ways. And zazen, that speaks for itself.
I know many Zen practitioners from Finland. They're all so lovely; I lack words. The whole aesthetic of Zen: lightning on a black sky; the moonshine reflecting in the lake; the far-off bird cry... It's all Finland.
Compare all this to the typical open office. Why do we accept such painful environments? How can some people be so comfortable in full-time office jobs? It chafes on me like a hairshirt.
I've been living in Bay Area for the past couple of years, and every time I go back home (Helsinki, Finland), first thing I notice how quiet it is.
Even in the middle of the city, with people hustling around, its not noisy. Somehow the city streets, cars and people are quieter.
Same with restaurants, you can actually have an conversation even with a larger table without yelling since everyone in the restaurant talks with a respectful volume.
And you can live in a downtown apartment and hear absolutely no street noise during the day or night.
The quiet times or less noisy places is one of the things I miss. In Bay Area you really need to look for it, to find a place with quietness which is usually far away from highways, roads and apparently people.
Even in the middle of the city, with people hustling around, its not noisy. Somehow the city streets, cars and people are quieter.
Same with restaurants, you can actually have an conversation even with a larger table without yelling since everyone in the restaurant talks with a respectful volume.
And you can live in a downtown apartment and hear absolutely no street noise during the day or night.
The quiet times or less noisy places is one of the things I miss. In Bay Area you really need to look for it, to find a place with quietness which is usually far away from highways, roads and apparently people.
In California, you do have access to some pretty spectacular national parks and such, though, I suppose?
> Or work remotely from places that respect the sublime power of silence, like certain public libraries, especially academic libraries
True. I have been really trying to find a job that allows me to work remotely. I have an amazing setup at home, more like a sacred space but no job to use it for.
> I know many Zen practitioners from Finland.
How's the immigration of Finland? I might just move there.
> Why do we accept such painful environments?
Some of us really do not have a choice.
> How can some people be so comfortable in full-time office jobs?
Human beings do get used to and adjust in a new environment but I have seen the irritation in my colleagues and I know what's up with them. I believe it is the same thing as I have, just no private space which is crucial.
Example: Someone at work lost their close family and we assume that it's all hunky-dory after we have offered condolences. But again, some of us just do not have a choice.
True. I have been really trying to find a job that allows me to work remotely. I have an amazing setup at home, more like a sacred space but no job to use it for.
> I know many Zen practitioners from Finland.
How's the immigration of Finland? I might just move there.
> Why do we accept such painful environments?
Some of us really do not have a choice.
> How can some people be so comfortable in full-time office jobs?
Human beings do get used to and adjust in a new environment but I have seen the irritation in my colleagues and I know what's up with them. I believe it is the same thing as I have, just no private space which is crucial.
Example: Someone at work lost their close family and we assume that it's all hunky-dory after we have offered condolences. But again, some of us just do not have a choice.
> How's the immigration of Finland? I might just move there.
The language would be the hardest part, and by that I mean really hard. Finno-Ugric languages (Finnish, Estonian, weirdly, also Hungarian) are, in my opinion, the most difficult languages in Europe.
The language would be the hardest part, and by that I mean really hard. Finno-Ugric languages (Finnish, Estonian, weirdly, also Hungarian) are, in my opinion, the most difficult languages in Europe.
Did you have any siblings close in age?
Sometimes I wonder if that influences how people can handle commotion. I grew up with three little sisters close in age and between them and my mom literally nothing outside of that even registers as a blip on my radar.
I also find that in very quiet environments I can get restless - all anecdotal, but made me wonder about it.
Sometimes I wonder if that influences how people can handle commotion. I grew up with three little sisters close in age and between them and my mom literally nothing outside of that even registers as a blip on my radar.
I also find that in very quiet environments I can get restless - all anecdotal, but made me wonder about it.
Yeah, my older brother is also quite "sensitive." We had to take the first bus out of Vienna because he couldn't handle it; it made him nauseous. There was a lot of quiet in our household, and we're both moderately introverted.
>I loathe capitalism because it's noisy in all kinds of ways.
If communism is less noisy, it's because the state has forcibly silenced people. You can't hear them because they have a gun to their head. Don't forget that.
If communism is less noisy, it's because the state has forcibly silenced people. You can't hear them because they have a gun to their head. Don't forget that.
I have a gun to my head right now, and so do you. Try missing a payment for your phone, rent, or mortgage. If you think capitalist states don't rely on violence and the threat of violence to maintain the social order, you're not thinking clearly.
But "I loathe capitalism" doesn't imply "I advocate communism."
Capitalism and the kind of communism you're talking about are both violent impositions of large and complex legal systems. Why do I need to like either of them?
The world is run by powerful people, and I generally dislike them. It's structured by systems of bureaucratic power, and I dislike those, too.
Libertarians tend to frame capitalism as being equivalent with liberty and freedom, which makes me laugh out loud.
But "I loathe capitalism" doesn't imply "I advocate communism."
Capitalism and the kind of communism you're talking about are both violent impositions of large and complex legal systems. Why do I need to like either of them?
The world is run by powerful people, and I generally dislike them. It's structured by systems of bureaucratic power, and I dislike those, too.
Libertarians tend to frame capitalism as being equivalent with liberty and freedom, which makes me laugh out loud.
>I have a gun to my head right now, and so do you. Try missing a payment for your phone, rent, or mortgage.
If I took on debt, that means I voluntarily agreed to have a gun to my head. Surely you see the difference.
If I took on debt, that means I voluntarily agreed to have a gun to my head. Surely you see the difference.
Capitalism and Communism are not the only possible forms of human organization. As a matter of fact, it can be argued that Capitalism and Socialism (the only kind of Communism for which there are historical records, AFAIK) are two competing and closely related patterns that happened to be dominant in the world during the second half of the 20th century.
As a result, I have a hard time believing Communist cities were significantly less noisy. And while the gun to the head probably happened more than a few times, it's probably not relevant to this discussion.
As a result, I have a hard time believing Communist cities were significantly less noisy. And while the gun to the head probably happened more than a few times, it's probably not relevant to this discussion.
>Capitalism and Communism are not the only possible forms of human organization.
What alternatives do you have in mind? Everything listed at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economic_systems#Types looks like either a form of capitalism, of communism/socialism, or a mix of the two. (There are one or two that might be considered distinct, but they look like they are only applicable at a very small scale, and even then they ultimately look pretty similar to capitalism or communism.)
I assume you're not just trying to draw a distinction between communism and socialism, since you're calling socialism a form of communism. You have another comment claiming it's the other way around, but regardless, the point is that they're very closely related.
>And while the gun to the head probably happened more than a few times
The gun to the head is a necessary component of any communist/socialist system.
>it's probably not relevant to this discussion
The original comment I replied to connected a dislike of capitalism with Zen Buddhism. Buddhists are supposed to care about peace in the world, not just silence for themselves. Communism is anything but peaceful. So it seems very relevant to me.
What alternatives do you have in mind? Everything listed at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economic_systems#Types looks like either a form of capitalism, of communism/socialism, or a mix of the two. (There are one or two that might be considered distinct, but they look like they are only applicable at a very small scale, and even then they ultimately look pretty similar to capitalism or communism.)
I assume you're not just trying to draw a distinction between communism and socialism, since you're calling socialism a form of communism. You have another comment claiming it's the other way around, but regardless, the point is that they're very closely related.
>And while the gun to the head probably happened more than a few times
The gun to the head is a necessary component of any communist/socialist system.
>it's probably not relevant to this discussion
The original comment I replied to connected a dislike of capitalism with Zen Buddhism. Buddhists are supposed to care about peace in the world, not just silence for themselves. Communism is anything but peaceful. So it seems very relevant to me.
I think[1] it is a bit disingenuous to claim that every economic system is either capitalism, communism/socialism, or a mix of the two. This is not what I saw at all in the wiki page. Of course all systems have things in common, they belong to the same category after all, but each has its own unique characteristics.
By example, the Guilds system in Renacentist Europe. Is it capitalism or socialism? Each master had control of his own means of production, and hired both journeymen and apprentices to provide labor, but on the other hand, each master had to answer to the guild at large, and more directly to his peers in the same city. They had pretty strict controls over who could do business where, without intervention of the State, so in our eyes may look like a mix of capitalist oligopoly with socialism...
Except this analysis misses the point that the Guilds system was not about the control of the means of production, but about the control of knowledge and social status. Of course you can say that knowledge and social status are means of production, but that would be true only in a very abstract sense.
Regarding the "gun to the head", I insist it is not a defining characteristic of socialism/communism. Capitalism, and feudalism, and traditional economies, etc, all have their own ways to impose the will of high status individuals over the rest of the people, and more often than not this involves the threat of physical violence. That's why I don't think it is relevant.
[1] Disclaimer, my knowledge of economic systems is limited to 101 classes but still.
By example, the Guilds system in Renacentist Europe. Is it capitalism or socialism? Each master had control of his own means of production, and hired both journeymen and apprentices to provide labor, but on the other hand, each master had to answer to the guild at large, and more directly to his peers in the same city. They had pretty strict controls over who could do business where, without intervention of the State, so in our eyes may look like a mix of capitalist oligopoly with socialism...
Except this analysis misses the point that the Guilds system was not about the control of the means of production, but about the control of knowledge and social status. Of course you can say that knowledge and social status are means of production, but that would be true only in a very abstract sense.
Regarding the "gun to the head", I insist it is not a defining characteristic of socialism/communism. Capitalism, and feudalism, and traditional economies, etc, all have their own ways to impose the will of high status individuals over the rest of the people, and more often than not this involves the threat of physical violence. That's why I don't think it is relevant.
[1] Disclaimer, my knowledge of economic systems is limited to 101 classes but still.
> > Capitalism and Communism are not the only possible forms of human organization.
> What alternatives do you have in mind?
A lot of the forms that predate the modern nation-state don't look much like socialism or capitalism because both of those (as well as, arguably, mercantilism, which might be distinguished from capitalism) really presume the kind of environment provided by nation-states as a context.
Feudalism, for instance.
> What alternatives do you have in mind?
A lot of the forms that predate the modern nation-state don't look much like socialism or capitalism because both of those (as well as, arguably, mercantilism, which might be distinguished from capitalism) really presume the kind of environment provided by nation-states as a context.
Feudalism, for instance.
> Capitalism and Communism are not the only possible forms of human organization.
So far so good
> As a matter of fact, it can be argued that Capitalism and Socialism (the only kind of Communism for which there are historical records, AFAIK) are two competing and closely related patterns that happened to be dominant in the world during the second half of the 20th century.
Socialism is not a form of Communism, but the reverse. Other forms of Socialism besides Communism are in operational existence now, as well as being well attested in the historical record.
And, while Communism's peak was in the late 20th Century, Capitalisms was in the late 19th Century; by the mid-20th Century the influence of Socialist critiques of capitalism had largely seen it replaced by either non-Communist Socialist systems or mixed systems which blended elements of capitalism with elements of socialism (Communism itself mostly took hold in places where capitalism had never firmly established itself.)
So far so good
> As a matter of fact, it can be argued that Capitalism and Socialism (the only kind of Communism for which there are historical records, AFAIK) are two competing and closely related patterns that happened to be dominant in the world during the second half of the 20th century.
Socialism is not a form of Communism, but the reverse. Other forms of Socialism besides Communism are in operational existence now, as well as being well attested in the historical record.
And, while Communism's peak was in the late 20th Century, Capitalisms was in the late 19th Century; by the mid-20th Century the influence of Socialist critiques of capitalism had largely seen it replaced by either non-Communist Socialist systems or mixed systems which blended elements of capitalism with elements of socialism (Communism itself mostly took hold in places where capitalism had never firmly established itself.)
Ok, I stand corrected. This is not at all what I remember from my highschool/uni_101 classes, but it was 20 years ago.
I wonder what is your opinion on the similarities between American Capitalism vs USSR State Socialism during the cold war?
I wonder what is your opinion on the similarities between American Capitalism vs USSR State Socialism during the cold war?
> I wonder what is your opinion on the similarities between American Capitalism vs USSR State Socialism during the cold war?
I'd say that a good point was made by Marxists I've known (not of the Leninist/Stalinist persuasion!) who referred to Soviet-style Communism as "State Capitalism" and traced the failure directly back to Leninist vanguardism recreating one of the central problems of capitalism in that it produced a narrow elite class that exercised control of the means of production and ordered society for its own benefit.
I would say that in many ways, during the Cold War, the "capitalist" mixed economies of the West -- even, though less so than some if its European allies, the US -- were more substantively socialist than the USSR and its allise following the same basic structural model.
I'd say that a good point was made by Marxists I've known (not of the Leninist/Stalinist persuasion!) who referred to Soviet-style Communism as "State Capitalism" and traced the failure directly back to Leninist vanguardism recreating one of the central problems of capitalism in that it produced a narrow elite class that exercised control of the means of production and ordered society for its own benefit.
I would say that in many ways, during the Cold War, the "capitalist" mixed economies of the West -- even, though less so than some if its European allies, the US -- were more substantively socialist than the USSR and its allise following the same basic structural model.
For some reason I have always associated Zen monasteries with Japan. I've never been there, but judging from shows/movies, the cities there (esp Tokyo) seem pretty noisy, and overstimulating in general. On the other hand, Scandinavia seems very calm and serene (exception - The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo). Anyone who's visited/lived in any of these places, is this an accurate portrayal?
Cities in Scandinavia aren't silent, but at least for me, I register a kind of silence that's somehow in the background. Especially with northerners. As you go south in Sweden, the backdrop of glacier-like serenity fades away and you start to feel the presence of a more European bustle.
Zen is originally from ancient China, where I imagine there was quite a bit of silence. That's not to say the essence of Zen has anything to do with either silence or noise, but I think Zen culture was kind of steeped in rural silence.
Zen is originally from ancient China, where I imagine there was quite a bit of silence. That's not to say the essence of Zen has anything to do with either silence or noise, but I think Zen culture was kind of steeped in rural silence.
> * Place where I get an office, quiet room. (Have never achieved this)
I've taken to listening to static/brown noise at work to drown everything out. It's not nearly as relaxing as actual silence but it blocks most extraneous noises and doesn't distract me like music
I've taken to listening to static/brown noise at work to drown everything out. It's not nearly as relaxing as actual silence but it blocks most extraneous noises and doesn't distract me like music
I have no idea about the static noise! Thanks for mentioning, I need to try that. I found this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Yb-G7Y9ZR8. Is this what you are talking about?
I usually listen to some classical music. It is less distracting than anything else and is pleasant (depending on what you are listening to).
I usually listen to some classical music. It is less distracting than anything else and is pleasant (depending on what you are listening to).
http://simplynoise.com is what I use.
http://mynoise.net is the best if you ask me. You can customize everything.
I second my noise! I've used it quite a lot, and it's very customizable. No idea why SimplyNoise is ontop of search results lately, must be some SEO spamming.
Yeah; I've been using simply noise because it was the first thing I found. I'll check out mynoise.
I really like being able to modify things because different kinds of noise block different sounds at different levels with varying effectiveness
I really like being able to modify things because different kinds of noise block different sounds at different levels with varying effectiveness
I'm fond of http://www.noisli.com/ myself.
I am the opposite, in that static noise just grates on me. I prefer music, but I need it to be familiar (new music is just distracting). I prefer music that I have heard a hundred times, which could be classical music, but could also be Black Sabbath or Dave Brubeck.
I can't stand it if it's got the really high pitched tones in it, but what simplynoise has as uh -- I think brown noise? -- reminds me of being at my aunt and uncles house that's on a river. They lived right next to a series of small overflows/dams and it sounds a lot like the water rushing over those.
Interesting, I will try it out.
Yeah; I just tried http://mynoise.net/ and I've used simply noise. SimplyNoise isn't bad but it looks like you can do more with mynoise. I managed to get a curve I really like.
Hope it works out for you
Hope it works out for you
The Q & A on those actually says:
Q: I want to get this for use in the office. I hear everything from birds, keyboarding to footsteps. Earplugs are a pain. Would you recommend a pair?
A: Nope - They are designed to cut out noise at higher levels. Solid earplugs are best to cut out noise from birds, footsteps, keyboards (even loud breathing). With these earmuffs you will likely still hear these "quiet sounds". Now if you are around leaf blowers, lawn tractors, heavy machinery, .50 caliber guns, or the like you will be happy with the comfort level that these muffs provide!
Q: I want to get this for use in the office. I hear everything from birds, keyboarding to footsteps. Earplugs are a pain. Would you recommend a pair?
A: Nope - They are designed to cut out noise at higher levels. Solid earplugs are best to cut out noise from birds, footsteps, keyboards (even loud breathing). With these earmuffs you will likely still hear these "quiet sounds". Now if you are around leaf blowers, lawn tractors, heavy machinery, .50 caliber guns, or the like you will be happy with the comfort level that these muffs provide!
I use these occasionally (after ear plugs started causing problems for my ears). They do a pretty good job in my experience at helping me focus even though they do not perfectly cut out some sounds, everything is muffled enough that it's a peaceful sensation if not total silence.
The bigger issue for me is they really can't be worn more than an hour or so at a time without discomfort.
The bigger issue for me is they really can't be worn more than an hour or so at a time without discomfort.
Out of curiosity, what kind of problems did you experience with ear plugs?
See here: http://www.livestrong.com/article/263656-dangers-of-wearing-...
Basically I wore them for the majority of the hours of the day (during sleep + while working) for over two years without any issues then I had a some pretty major impacted ear wax and started looking into it more. Apparently ear plugs are not really good for you. Which is unfortunate because there is really no substitute.
Basically I wore them for the majority of the hours of the day (during sleep + while working) for over two years without any issues then I had a some pretty major impacted ear wax and started looking into it more. Apparently ear plugs are not really good for you. Which is unfortunate because there is really no substitute.
Are there any Noise Cancelling earmuffs that aren't headphones? Is that even possible?
Great article, but I think I'm missing something. Several times through it I thought: "ok, but what about obvious explanation?".
Examples:
I enjoyed reading this piece, and did learn a few things, but it frustrates me to no end when they gloss over stuff like this. Maybe they are not as obvious as I thought, or I missed something that clearly proves them wrong, but my feeling is that the article ignores common sense in a few spots.
Examples:
People who live in consistently loud environments often
experience chronically elevated levels of stress hormones.
“In the absence of sound, the brain often tends to
produce internal representations of sound.”
There seemed to be a type of background brain activity
that was most visible, paradoxically, when the test
subject was in a quiet room, doing absolutely nothing.
I enjoyed reading this piece, and did learn a few things, but it frustrates me to no end when they gloss over stuff like this. Maybe they are not as obvious as I thought, or I missed something that clearly proves them wrong, but my feeling is that the article ignores common sense in a few spots.
Correlation vs causation has sort of become a cultural trapdoor to all new claims. In reality, it is very hard to find the actual cause of many things we take for granted. Its often that the first event that sets off the chain of events is mentioned as the cause itself. Sometimes even if one doesn't know the mechanism, as long as you can reliably reproduce or predict the same, its seen as good enough for practical purposes, if not for textbook teaching.
For example, not drinking water for a day tends to make me thirsty. Thats a correlation. Is it the cause? Not really. It just sets off a chain of events, which triggers dehydration, and eventually neuro chemical triggers of thirst somewhere in my brain centre.Even that centre is probably not well understood. But we still say "not drinking water causes thirst". it may be possible to mess with that circuitry to avoid these feelings. In fact a lot of neurological drugs prey on this fact.
Causality is a very philosopical subject. But I would argue that for most practical purposes, reproducibility and predictability are often good enough to be useful, even if mechanism is currently unknown.
See manipulation theories in causality (along with some intro on causality calculus) if you really want to dig deep into the beast known as causality.
For example, not drinking water for a day tends to make me thirsty. Thats a correlation. Is it the cause? Not really. It just sets off a chain of events, which triggers dehydration, and eventually neuro chemical triggers of thirst somewhere in my brain centre.Even that centre is probably not well understood. But we still say "not drinking water causes thirst". it may be possible to mess with that circuitry to avoid these feelings. In fact a lot of neurological drugs prey on this fact.
Causality is a very philosopical subject. But I would argue that for most practical purposes, reproducibility and predictability are often good enough to be useful, even if mechanism is currently unknown.
See manipulation theories in causality (along with some intro on causality calculus) if you really want to dig deep into the beast known as causality.
In our office, we have "Quiet Rooms." Many people go there to grab a fifteen to twenty minute nap, but I find myself going there when the noise just gets to be too much.
I've found that many problems, even software problems, can be solved in a completely dark, quiet room. At the very least, it helps reduce stress levels and allows you to try to tackle the problem again when you get back with a fresh mind.
I've found that many problems, even software problems, can be solved in a completely dark, quiet room. At the very least, it helps reduce stress levels and allows you to try to tackle the problem again when you get back with a fresh mind.
I've found the dark/quiet room to be useful for brainstorming in general. I've only actively utilized that tactic a couple of times though, I should try it more often. On those occasions I found that coming up with decent ideas seemed to be easier, just by sitting at a table with the lights off. Perhaps this allows the brain to let go of the world in front of you a little bit and lets the creative side take the foreground.
Who honestly couldn't foresee that sensory deprivation would be a luxury. We already have to pay to remove advertising from our lives.
Could you elaborate on paying to remove advertising? I don't think I've paid anything other than $5 donation to AdBlock.
Generally, on and off the web, media can be free as long as you're willing to let your experience be mediated by advertising to a degree.
Your own private experiences can be devoid of ads, but private possessions usually cost money.
For example in NYC, if you're taking the subway or bus, your visual landscape is bombarded with ads. If you pay for a cab you have less. If you buy your own car you aren't necessarily subjected to that beyond the billboards and signage you'd find on public roads. If you can afford to live in the Hamptons and take a helicopter to and from Manhattan, you have that much more control over your environment.
But like you said, even Adblock isn't really free.
Your own private experiences can be devoid of ads, but private possessions usually cost money.
For example in NYC, if you're taking the subway or bus, your visual landscape is bombarded with ads. If you pay for a cab you have less. If you buy your own car you aren't necessarily subjected to that beyond the billboards and signage you'd find on public roads. If you can afford to live in the Hamptons and take a helicopter to and from Manhattan, you have that much more control over your environment.
But like you said, even Adblock isn't really free.
Well, on the web, I'm looking at content, and the ads are just distracting and annoying. On the bus/subway, I don't find the ads that annoying.
As for AdBlock, they don't actually charge you - you can get the extension for free. The donation is purely voluntary.
As for AdBlock, they don't actually charge you - you can get the extension for free. The donation is purely voluntary.
There are quite a few sites and apps that are "we will show you ads, unless you pay us, then we'll stop".
apps, yes. But there are sites which manage to circumvent AdBlock? Any examples?
On several occasions I've been on solo backcountry hikes, stopped to rest, and realized that I could hear absolutely nothing. No wind. Not even bug-noise. Zero. It is truly sublime, transcendent, something entirely outside of ordinary human experience. Just typing this, laptop keys clicking, fan whirring, electrical timer creaking, crows squawking, the uncouth hollering of neighbors outside, cars rumbling in the distance, I am longing to experience such silence again.
I swear by getting out into the wilderness as a means of disconnecting and finding a sort of deep, long-lasting relaxation. My trips aren't extreme, but we hike long enough to be worn out at the end of the day, and deep enough into the forest to escape the sounds of civilization, and the reaches of cell service.
I've always loved backpacking, but the more connected I've become, the more important these trips have become to maintaining a sense of well being.
I've always loved backpacking, but the more connected I've become, the more important these trips have become to maintaining a sense of well being.
Sometimes when I'm on my boat in Alaska, the wind dies and the water's surface becomes a mirror of the sky. It's absolutely silent. I realize what we miss living among people in towns and cities -- we're denied the pleasure of silence.
The other time I experience this is when I cross Death Valley and camp on the unoccupied far side (an annual outing). There, also, the wind sometimes dies. But there, even the noises my boat makes are absent, as well as being a very beautiful environment:
http://i.imgur.com/M6iQpyU.jpg
Silence -- like many things, you don't miss it until it's gone.
The other time I experience this is when I cross Death Valley and camp on the unoccupied far side (an annual outing). There, also, the wind sometimes dies. But there, even the noises my boat makes are absent, as well as being a very beautiful environment:
http://i.imgur.com/M6iQpyU.jpg
Silence -- like many things, you don't miss it until it's gone.
Having spent a bit of time in an anechoic chamber, I can say that true silence can be a powerful experience. There's a physical sensation of pressure being lifted, and intense feeling of focus (at least for me). I'd go well out of my way to hop in one again.
I think it's worth mentioning that extreme absence of sound is not a condition that humans can tolerate.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2124581/The-w...
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2124581/The-w...
Here's a video response^ by a guy who wanted to test this assertion. He spent about an hour in one at BYU, and seemed comfortable enough throughout. Interesting points: at around the 16 minute mark, he verbally estimates his time at 8 minutes; after the 45 min is up he asks for the lights to be turned on, and gets no response from the people outside the chamber. He calmly finds the door by using his cell phone as a light.
^ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mXVGIb3bzHI
^ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mXVGIb3bzHI
I am glad you sent me this video, but again the important part is that the test conditions are not the same as the original article. As much is mentioned in the video notes and comments... I do agree though that my source article is not exactly scientific, and it may be some kind of bias being introduced by the test participants.
that article is wrong wrong wrong. I hate that article. I've seen it many times, it just sounds like some dumb reporter got into an anechoic chamber and thought it was crazy so he says you will start hallucinating and nobody can stand it for more than 45 minutes. that is plain wrong. I've been in an anechoic chamber to setup equipment to be sound tested, it's a very weird sensation to have the pressure of sound lifted off of you, and to hear your insides working, but everything about that article I loathe.
edit: oh what the hell, I never saw the certificate picture of the world record before, and that chamber is only -9.4dBA when there are plenty now past -12dBA (though I don't know the rating of the chamber I was in)
edit: oh what the hell, I never saw the certificate picture of the world record before, and that chamber is only -9.4dBA when there are plenty now past -12dBA (though I don't know the rating of the chamber I was in)
What about deaf people?
nothing happens to deaf people, nothing happens to already crazy people, nothing happens to normal people. that level of silence doesn't do anything but literally take the pressure off of you and let you hear your body grumble and move
While it's not the same kind of silence, getting out into a desert is the next best thing. I did production sound for a film last year where we spent nearly a month out in the Mojave and the quiet environment more than made up for the extra physical challenges.
> The cochlea converts physical vibrations into electrical signals that the brain receives.
> The body reacts immediately and powerfully to these signals, even in the middle of deep sleep. ...
> The activation prompts an immediate release of stress hormones like cortisol.
> People who live in consistently loud environments often experience chronically elevated levels of stress hormones.
This article got me thinking... what if I'm waking up feeling tired not because my mattress is aging and terrible, but because I moved from a quiet house to one that's 500 feet away from some train tracks? Even with a line of trees and other houses between the tracks and my bedroom, you can still hear the trains go thundering by, regardless of the time of day.
This article got me thinking... what if I'm waking up feeling tired not because my mattress is aging and terrible, but because I moved from a quiet house to one that's 500 feet away from some train tracks? Even with a line of trees and other houses between the tracks and my bedroom, you can still hear the trains go thundering by, regardless of the time of day.
Have you tried to sleep with earplugs on? Do you still wke up tired then? Also, I think the environment can have a much deeper impact on our health than most doctors like to admit. You could also wake up feeling tired as a result of changes in air quality (chemicals, mold, spores, wall paint, even furniture materials apparently).
Here's an interesting collection of reads:
http://readpiles.com/pile/Environmental-Illnesses,-Chemical-...
Here's an interesting collection of reads:
http://readpiles.com/pile/Environmental-Illnesses,-Chemical-...
Are there any studies that show the advantages of open space offices? I loathe them so much, constant distractions with people on the phone, clickyty clacks of tens of keyboards, people laughing & talking loudly etc. etc.
How do people think that this open environment can be conducive to productivity? It just blows my mind. We see such studies all the time about silence, yet most companies (especially in the Bay Area) are moving towards the open space layout. Are they just incapable of rationally thinking about this and doing it just because it's the new and cool thing in town and others are doing it?
I always end up being the most productive during holiday season (I wish our company gave us the option to work from home).
How do people think that this open environment can be conducive to productivity? It just blows my mind. We see such studies all the time about silence, yet most companies (especially in the Bay Area) are moving towards the open space layout. Are they just incapable of rationally thinking about this and doing it just because it's the new and cool thing in town and others are doing it?
I always end up being the most productive during holiday season (I wish our company gave us the option to work from home).
Some people work better in those circumstances, believe it or not. I personally don't, but others do - they thrive on being in the midst of activity, are stimulated by it. Both types should be accommodated, I'd say, but it's hard to justify giving someone an office just because they prefer to be alone. Luckily working from home is an option, though, as you point out, not for everyone just yet.
Strangely enough, I actually read very well when at a crowded bar. The background music and conversation, even if it's loud, sort of makes my brain focus on the book at hand, and I'm able to concentrate on it as well or better than I might have in a library reading room. Plus, you know, beer.
Strangely enough, I actually read very well when at a crowded bar. The background music and conversation, even if it's loud, sort of makes my brain focus on the book at hand, and I'm able to concentrate on it as well or better than I might have in a library reading room. Plus, you know, beer.
Right, but even if the percentage of such a person is 50%, then you are only catering to half the crowd.
I realize giving an office to everyone is not the best (or the most realistic) solution, but I think a compromise can be found, some parts of our office have these large cubes where 2 to 4 people can sit, this keeps you together with your team and makes for easy interaction/collaboration, but at the same time the high walls surrounding you keep the background auditory and visual distractions to a minimum, this way there is something for both the groups of people.
I realize giving an office to everyone is not the best (or the most realistic) solution, but I think a compromise can be found, some parts of our office have these large cubes where 2 to 4 people can sit, this keeps you together with your team and makes for easy interaction/collaboration, but at the same time the high walls surrounding you keep the background auditory and visual distractions to a minimum, this way there is something for both the groups of people.
I think the people who work well in open office spaces are the same people that enjoy working for hours in busy coffee shops. Perhaps, a little of both (noisy and quiet) is ideal and forces you to practice focusing in both situations. The nature of the work is also a big factor.
Personally, sometimes I find it harder to concentrate in total silence, but other times I look for quiet places to relax and read.
Personally, sometimes I find it harder to concentrate in total silence, but other times I look for quiet places to relax and read.
It's cheaper, it makes informal collaboration easier, it fosters better energy in the office.
Any office layout is going to have tradeoffs. It seems like the problems you have with open space offices could be solved with a pair of noise-canceling headphones?
Any office layout is going to have tradeoffs. It seems like the problems you have with open space offices could be solved with a pair of noise-canceling headphones?
Those are the buzz words they use - "collaboration", "energy" etc. but to be honest has there ever been a study done to show if that is indeed the case? Also, I see no reason why those can't be achieved with high walled cube sections.
Our whole floor is open, we have different departments, and even then I mainly see only a single group talking/collaborating, it's not like suddenly the lawyers are more social and are breaking their cliques and interacting with the marketing teams.
With the last sentence, I am going to assume you are more outgoing and extroverted, because a noise-cancelling headphone will not do much to reduce the external stimuli that I'm receiving from my other senses.
I guess there is a certain level of coziness, safety associated when the world is not able to look at me and vice-versa and it may be hard to explain, but it is vital for me to focus 100%, and I'm sure a lot of people towards the introversion end of the spectrum feel that way.
Our whole floor is open, we have different departments, and even then I mainly see only a single group talking/collaborating, it's not like suddenly the lawyers are more social and are breaking their cliques and interacting with the marketing teams.
With the last sentence, I am going to assume you are more outgoing and extroverted, because a noise-cancelling headphone will not do much to reduce the external stimuli that I'm receiving from my other senses.
I guess there is a certain level of coziness, safety associated when the world is not able to look at me and vice-versa and it may be hard to explain, but it is vital for me to focus 100%, and I'm sure a lot of people towards the introversion end of the spectrum feel that way.
I find that I need some quiet time everyday or I get irritable. An office with a solid door and insulated walls is at work, and I have a quiet room at home.
Silicon earplugs are sanity savers, I don't sleep without them as I have sleep problems.
I also use them sometimes when I need to concentrate.
I also use them sometimes when I need to concentrate.
I lived in Finland for six years. I speak the language fluently.
:crickets:
:crickets:
Two of my biggest points when I try to find a job -
* As small a commute as possible and hopefully public transportation availability (have achieved this time and again)
* Place where I get an office, quiet room. (Have never achieved this)