Monday, January 30, 2012
Are You Sure You Are In Touch With Reality?
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Noise takes on many forms. In electronics it is undesirable current flow in a circuit that is designed to perform a certain function, such undesirable current flow (noise) being a deterrent to to the circuit performing at maximum performance. An example of this is a "hiss" or a "hum" in a radio program. The hiss or hum represent "noise" and is considered undesirable. If the noise is a large percentage of overall performance it can completely obliterate the desired effect. An example of this would be a radio that has such a loud hum that it is generally accepted to need repairs.
This same relationship (desirable vs. undesirable function) can be detected in other areas of life. For instance - when driving to work don't we usually try to find the most direct path - the ones with little or no traffic lights? Lots of traffic lights represent noise - otherwise known as an impediment to the smooth flow of traffic which could be characterized as the desired function - driving without interruption.
Another way to view "noise" would be a political speech where there are some hecklers present. I think you know the component that can be considered "noise".
In other iterations, noise is not so obvious - and to a large degree, that is our fault. As an example take Health Care. Most people are being led around by the proverbial nose on this issue. Consider these questions.
1. Which insurance company did most of the North American indian tribes have - Blue Cross or Aetna Insurance?
2. In today's world, when you hear the term "Health Care", do you get a warm fuzzy feeling or do you immediately feel anxious?
3. How much do you know about your own health - or - if you were suddenly thrust into the mid-1800's, how would you take care of yourself?
__________________________
Well, these questions were meant to stir you up - yes - even to make you angry. But before you direct your anger at me, lets go over a few things. We are going to go deep here. Stop and think. (There's that word again!) When and under what circumstances did preventive health care burst forth on the scene? What's the goal? Is it to prevent you from dying? Good luck on that one! Is it to prolong life? Perhaps. Here's what really took place.
Prior to the mid 1800's and even before that, people went to the doctor when they became very ill, or when they lacerated themselves or when they were injured. One of the primary activities of doctors was to set broken bones. The doctor set the bone so it would heal. Who did the healing? As society matured and we learned more about medicine, certain treatments were developed to kill off pathogens, prevent infections, mostly after the fact. People seemed to be more self reliant back then. Now we have more knowledge and better medicines. Along with these "improvements" we are having new diseases springing up like spring dandelions. Doesn't anyone question what is going on?
__________________________
I saw a commercial last year - here was this M.D. looking into the camera and saying about a lady patient in the same room "they are her eyes but they are MY responsibility". Excuse me? Since when. When did we abdicate the responsibility for our well being to another human being. I would argue that if they are my eyes, they are MY responsibility. The doctor is a fabulous tool - that should be used as just that - a tool - not a GOD. The TV is inundated with commercials about prescription drugs ALWAYS followed by a laundry list of notations of side effects. They are always telling you to TELL YOUR DOCTOR that you are taking such and such prescription drug - again - excuse me! We are talking about a prescription drug here - needing a doctor to write a prescription! Haven't you ever asked yourself what that was all about? I'll tell you right here what that is all about. That little shuffle is what is known as a disclaimer - it is a legal shuffle to pass the blame to the hard working doctor and away from the large drug company that has formulated a drug with potentially devastating effects.
Let's examine something else. Let's talk about a new car. The new car comes with an owner's manual. It tells you, among other things, what preventive maintenance is needed. The idea is that you can find things that are requiring maintenance before they become a problem.
__________________________
I think I have written enough to set you up for what I am about to tell you. I am not against doctors or the medical profession. Thank God for them. There is, however, a lot of room for improvement. And much of that improvement has to be with our attitude about our health and our health care. Fortunately, there is much written about this subject, and many of the authors are health care providers who are operating as whistle blowers on their fellow health care providers (doctors, hospitals, drug manufacturers, the American Medical Association, Insurance Companies, The Federal Government, Over-The-Counter Drug Manufacturers, have I forgotten anyone?). This is one gigantic industry. There are many vested interests - read - agendas. Lets consider one of them.
Since 1933 the Federal Government has been "borrowing" from the Social Security Trust Fund and they have never made any attempt to pay back any of the money. That same government made legal the act of abortion which developed an enormous cottage industry which has been responsible for some 30 + million deaths of future tax payers. That same government developed entitlements for old folks to go to a nursing home for the rest of their life on the public dole. This has made most states insolvent (broke). Now they are trying to fix it.
At a recent doctor visit, my blood pressure was somewhat high even though I am (was) on blood pressure medication. I have been on the same medication for many, many years. My doctor has always flagged me if my blood pressure was over approximately 130/80. Enter Obama care (full control of all aspects of the health care industry). Remember now that the same government that "borrowed" the Social Security into oblivion now controls Health Care, and remember that they have to try to correct this fiscal imbalance and remember that they don't want you to be aware of their actions. During this doctor visit my blood pressure was about 150/90 or the thereabouts. I expected my doctor to climb all over me - he didn't! His reasoning when I questioned him was "we have just come down with new data showing that 150/x is alright for older people as their arteries tend to be less elastic". Wow! If you can get them to croak earlier, we don't have to pay for their nursing home AND we don't have to send them anymore Social Security checks! Pretty neat, huh? Just a month after this, my blood pressure medication which was on the Formulary on my Part D plan as a Tier 1 (no deductible) medication surprised me with a shift to Tier 2 ($20./month deductible). I guess I was just supposed to roll over and pay it. I didn't. I questioned it. They said I could have my doctor appeal on the grounds that the medication was a good fit and should be continued. My doctor followed through and I was denied. I then requested that my doctor switch to another drug, which he did. Prior to taking the new medication, I started giving this some thought. I started taking my blood pressure at various times throughout the day. Did I ever find some interesting things. Blood pressure varies quite a bit as most of us know - but why?
__________________________
I am a practicing Christian - that means that to me Christ is real, he is God, and he is alive, and he is interested in my welfare. Here is my chain of command for health care. First - the Lord Jesus Christ - when well, the Second in authority is me - and the doctor is third. When I am ailing, I reverse the second position and the third position. I can't really say that I have come up with any unique material on my own. I learn from those that are more able than I. When it comes to spiritual matters, the Holy Bible KJV1611 is my resource. For matters of health, I frequently consult with: Stop Inflammation Now! by Richard M. Fleming, M.D., Thin So Fast by Michael R. Eades, M.D. and Atkins for Life by Robert C. Atkins, M.D.. I cross reference them frequently. I am not pure with respect to the advice I am armed with from these manuscripts. I goof up way too frequently but I continue to review and implement, review and implement.
Here is my take on Blood Pressure. You must keep it down - we all agree on that. My sense is that my Lord wants me well - so I must be doing something wrong if I persist in high blood pressure. I did some experiments and found that if I took several deep breaths, my blood pressure was low-normal. Why is this so? I believe it is because your brain has a oxygen regulator servo-feedback loop (an engineering term) that regulates blood pressure. When oxygen is low, the brain speeds up heart rhythm to pick up more oxygen from the lungs. So - breathe shallow and you will have high B.P. But why do we breathe shallow? One reason is because as a society we carry more weight than is normal and it restricts the free rise and fall of the lungs. I proved this to myself by taking my B.P while sitting up and then again while slouching on the recliner. The results were rather dramatic. If you are thin and still have high B.P. you are probably too tense. This might be job related, relationship stresses or any other number of stress inducers (like being too much in debt).
I have taken myself off of B.P. medication. I continue to check just to avoid elevating B.P. I am trusting that the Lord Jesus Christ will indicate to me if I am on the wrong path. Of course, for that to happen, I have to be acquainted with him.
I would also recommend the Bottom Line Publications books and periodicals. In the long run - you MUST take charge of your own health care and establish a relationship with a doctor that approves of your actions. My doctor does approve. He is an honest man who knows that 15 minutes twice a year really doesn't endow him with as much knowledge of how your system works as you are able to know just by living inside your skin. Just remember that doctors are influenced by forces outside of their control. Most good doctors acknowledge this fact. For all my friends who know me and think I'm some kind of kook, I hope this gives you a little perception in how I think and what causes me to make the decisions that I do. I will tell you - my family and I have had some rather incredible answers to prayer regarding health care. I am not special. This can be your heritage too. I trust you will take advantage of this resource. For my recent friend who asked me "how can I keep from getting sick (sore throat)?" If your house is too dry (less than 35% relative humidity) get yourself a humidifier. Pay more attention to your hands - one of the older gentlemen in our church used to "wash the fellowship off of his hands" before going home. Try to keep from wiping your eyes with your bare hands. The eyes are an entrance to all sort of viral infection. Get those books and learn to eat correctly. You will not be perfect at it unless you have more will power than I do but you will improve with practice. When your throat is sore, gargle with warm salt water frequently. As a last revelation - It can be shown that the majority of disease is one disease - INFLAMMATION! The majority of inflammation is caused by an out of balance diet. An out of balance diet is being caused by our culture and our habits. Get these things in order and you'll probably be one healthy human being. You won't live forever, but you might be like Moses - he died in perfect health!
Noise takes on many forms. In electronics it is undesirable current flow in a circuit that is designed to perform a certain function, such undesirable current flow (noise) being a deterrent to to the circuit performing at maximum performance. An example of this is a "hiss" or a "hum" in a radio program. The hiss or hum represent "noise" and is considered undesirable. If the noise is a large percentage of overall performance it can completely obliterate the desired effect. An example of this would be a radio that has such a loud hum that it is generally accepted to need repairs.
This same relationship (desirable vs. undesirable function) can be detected in other areas of life. For instance - when driving to work don't we usually try to find the most direct path - the ones with little or no traffic lights? Lots of traffic lights represent noise - otherwise known as an impediment to the smooth flow of traffic which could be characterized as the desired function - driving without interruption.
Another way to view "noise" would be a political speech where there are some hecklers present. I think you know the component that can be considered "noise".
In other iterations, noise is not so obvious - and to a large degree, that is our fault. As an example take Health Care. Most people are being led around by the proverbial nose on this issue. Consider these questions.
1. Which insurance company did most of the North American indian tribes have - Blue Cross or Aetna Insurance?
2. In today's world, when you hear the term "Health Care", do you get a warm fuzzy feeling or do you immediately feel anxious?
3. How much do you know about your own health - or - if you were suddenly thrust into the mid-1800's, how would you take care of yourself?
__________________________
Well, these questions were meant to stir you up - yes - even to make you angry. But before you direct your anger at me, lets go over a few things. We are going to go deep here. Stop and think. (There's that word again!) When and under what circumstances did preventive health care burst forth on the scene? What's the goal? Is it to prevent you from dying? Good luck on that one! Is it to prolong life? Perhaps. Here's what really took place.
Prior to the mid 1800's and even before that, people went to the doctor when they became very ill, or when they lacerated themselves or when they were injured. One of the primary activities of doctors was to set broken bones. The doctor set the bone so it would heal. Who did the healing? As society matured and we learned more about medicine, certain treatments were developed to kill off pathogens, prevent infections, mostly after the fact. People seemed to be more self reliant back then. Now we have more knowledge and better medicines. Along with these "improvements" we are having new diseases springing up like spring dandelions. Doesn't anyone question what is going on?
__________________________
I saw a commercial last year - here was this M.D. looking into the camera and saying about a lady patient in the same room "they are her eyes but they are MY responsibility". Excuse me? Since when. When did we abdicate the responsibility for our well being to another human being. I would argue that if they are my eyes, they are MY responsibility. The doctor is a fabulous tool - that should be used as just that - a tool - not a GOD. The TV is inundated with commercials about prescription drugs ALWAYS followed by a laundry list of notations of side effects. They are always telling you to TELL YOUR DOCTOR that you are taking such and such prescription drug - again - excuse me! We are talking about a prescription drug here - needing a doctor to write a prescription! Haven't you ever asked yourself what that was all about? I'll tell you right here what that is all about. That little shuffle is what is known as a disclaimer - it is a legal shuffle to pass the blame to the hard working doctor and away from the large drug company that has formulated a drug with potentially devastating effects.
Let's examine something else. Let's talk about a new car. The new car comes with an owner's manual. It tells you, among other things, what preventive maintenance is needed. The idea is that you can find things that are requiring maintenance before they become a problem.
__________________________
I think I have written enough to set you up for what I am about to tell you. I am not against doctors or the medical profession. Thank God for them. There is, however, a lot of room for improvement. And much of that improvement has to be with our attitude about our health and our health care. Fortunately, there is much written about this subject, and many of the authors are health care providers who are operating as whistle blowers on their fellow health care providers (doctors, hospitals, drug manufacturers, the American Medical Association, Insurance Companies, The Federal Government, Over-The-Counter Drug Manufacturers, have I forgotten anyone?). This is one gigantic industry. There are many vested interests - read - agendas. Lets consider one of them.
Since 1933 the Federal Government has been "borrowing" from the Social Security Trust Fund and they have never made any attempt to pay back any of the money. That same government made legal the act of abortion which developed an enormous cottage industry which has been responsible for some 30 + million deaths of future tax payers. That same government developed entitlements for old folks to go to a nursing home for the rest of their life on the public dole. This has made most states insolvent (broke). Now they are trying to fix it.
At a recent doctor visit, my blood pressure was somewhat high even though I am (was) on blood pressure medication. I have been on the same medication for many, many years. My doctor has always flagged me if my blood pressure was over approximately 130/80. Enter Obama care (full control of all aspects of the health care industry). Remember now that the same government that "borrowed" the Social Security into oblivion now controls Health Care, and remember that they have to try to correct this fiscal imbalance and remember that they don't want you to be aware of their actions. During this doctor visit my blood pressure was about 150/90 or the thereabouts. I expected my doctor to climb all over me - he didn't! His reasoning when I questioned him was "we have just come down with new data showing that 150/x is alright for older people as their arteries tend to be less elastic". Wow! If you can get them to croak earlier, we don't have to pay for their nursing home AND we don't have to send them anymore Social Security checks! Pretty neat, huh? Just a month after this, my blood pressure medication which was on the Formulary on my Part D plan as a Tier 1 (no deductible) medication surprised me with a shift to Tier 2 ($20./month deductible). I guess I was just supposed to roll over and pay it. I didn't. I questioned it. They said I could have my doctor appeal on the grounds that the medication was a good fit and should be continued. My doctor followed through and I was denied. I then requested that my doctor switch to another drug, which he did. Prior to taking the new medication, I started giving this some thought. I started taking my blood pressure at various times throughout the day. Did I ever find some interesting things. Blood pressure varies quite a bit as most of us know - but why?
__________________________
I am a practicing Christian - that means that to me Christ is real, he is God, and he is alive, and he is interested in my welfare. Here is my chain of command for health care. First - the Lord Jesus Christ - when well, the Second in authority is me - and the doctor is third. When I am ailing, I reverse the second position and the third position. I can't really say that I have come up with any unique material on my own. I learn from those that are more able than I. When it comes to spiritual matters, the Holy Bible KJV1611 is my resource. For matters of health, I frequently consult with: Stop Inflammation Now! by Richard M. Fleming, M.D., Thin So Fast by Michael R. Eades, M.D. and Atkins for Life by Robert C. Atkins, M.D.. I cross reference them frequently. I am not pure with respect to the advice I am armed with from these manuscripts. I goof up way too frequently but I continue to review and implement, review and implement.
Here is my take on Blood Pressure. You must keep it down - we all agree on that. My sense is that my Lord wants me well - so I must be doing something wrong if I persist in high blood pressure. I did some experiments and found that if I took several deep breaths, my blood pressure was low-normal. Why is this so? I believe it is because your brain has a oxygen regulator servo-feedback loop (an engineering term) that regulates blood pressure. When oxygen is low, the brain speeds up heart rhythm to pick up more oxygen from the lungs. So - breathe shallow and you will have high B.P. But why do we breathe shallow? One reason is because as a society we carry more weight than is normal and it restricts the free rise and fall of the lungs. I proved this to myself by taking my B.P while sitting up and then again while slouching on the recliner. The results were rather dramatic. If you are thin and still have high B.P. you are probably too tense. This might be job related, relationship stresses or any other number of stress inducers (like being too much in debt).
I have taken myself off of B.P. medication. I continue to check just to avoid elevating B.P. I am trusting that the Lord Jesus Christ will indicate to me if I am on the wrong path. Of course, for that to happen, I have to be acquainted with him.
I would also recommend the Bottom Line Publications books and periodicals. In the long run - you MUST take charge of your own health care and establish a relationship with a doctor that approves of your actions. My doctor does approve. He is an honest man who knows that 15 minutes twice a year really doesn't endow him with as much knowledge of how your system works as you are able to know just by living inside your skin. Just remember that doctors are influenced by forces outside of their control. Most good doctors acknowledge this fact. For all my friends who know me and think I'm some kind of kook, I hope this gives you a little perception in how I think and what causes me to make the decisions that I do. I will tell you - my family and I have had some rather incredible answers to prayer regarding health care. I am not special. This can be your heritage too. I trust you will take advantage of this resource. For my recent friend who asked me "how can I keep from getting sick (sore throat)?" If your house is too dry (less than 35% relative humidity) get yourself a humidifier. Pay more attention to your hands - one of the older gentlemen in our church used to "wash the fellowship off of his hands" before going home. Try to keep from wiping your eyes with your bare hands. The eyes are an entrance to all sort of viral infection. Get those books and learn to eat correctly. You will not be perfect at it unless you have more will power than I do but you will improve with practice. When your throat is sore, gargle with warm salt water frequently. As a last revelation - It can be shown that the majority of disease is one disease - INFLAMMATION! The majority of inflammation is caused by an out of balance diet. An out of balance diet is being caused by our culture and our habits. Get these things in order and you'll probably be one healthy human being. You won't live forever, but you might be like Moses - he died in perfect health!
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Noise Pollution
It's been quite a while since my last post. I've been busy with some personal maintenance (read surgery) and am just getting back to thinking about my blog subject - Less Noise. I have been making some recent observations and I want to post them here.
Well - we have this little granddaughter that we see (read babysit) most week days. Now this kid is beautiful - and noisy. Her little trap is going non-stop, and it is a wonder to behold. I have recently observed some things about her. Now understand - my wife and I have raised four kids and have had our share of learning experiences. That does not diminish the fact that you can always learn something new.
I've noticed that if I whisper something to my granddaughter, most times she whispers back to me. She is only three years old and quite bright and she is amazingly accurate at emulating her environment. If we are yelling (who - us - Mr. and Mrs. "Less Noise"?) she will yell too. If the TV is playing at an advanced volume, her little trap is going at an advanced volume. Now here is the kicker. If she is engaged in pinning the needle on the sound pressure meter and we turn the TV entirely off and talk to her in a low pitched voice - she usually responds with a quieter demeanor.
Now sports fans, this has some far reaching implications. I am actively engaged in teaching music in my home. I have noticed that some students have an attention deficit - that is they can't keep their mind on a subject for very long. I have also noticed that most commercials on TV come at you at speeds that will not allow you to concentrate on any of the details of the video. I have actually sat in my living room and timed the number of separate images that are displayed in a commercial per second. Try it sometime. You will be amazed.
Correlating all these facts causes me to come to some startling conclusions. I don't profess to be absolutely correct about this - I merely am drawing some empirical conclusions through my observations.
It seems that all of society is on a path to destroy concentration in all of society's members. The level of distraction, both audio based and other, is enormous. The mega corporation IBM had as it's motto when I was employed there "THINK". That's all - just "THINK". I wonder if they retained that motto. Today it might be considered persecution to demand that someone merely "THINK". I can hear the response already - -"can't think - too noisy".
Concluding this blog, here is still another observation. I have noticed in my business life that the homes with the least noise and distraction invariably produced the best students both in academics and in music. It seems that they are being allowed to concentrate without distraction.
Well - we have this little granddaughter that we see (read babysit) most week days. Now this kid is beautiful - and noisy. Her little trap is going non-stop, and it is a wonder to behold. I have recently observed some things about her. Now understand - my wife and I have raised four kids and have had our share of learning experiences. That does not diminish the fact that you can always learn something new.
I've noticed that if I whisper something to my granddaughter, most times she whispers back to me. She is only three years old and quite bright and she is amazingly accurate at emulating her environment. If we are yelling (who - us - Mr. and Mrs. "Less Noise"?) she will yell too. If the TV is playing at an advanced volume, her little trap is going at an advanced volume. Now here is the kicker. If she is engaged in pinning the needle on the sound pressure meter and we turn the TV entirely off and talk to her in a low pitched voice - she usually responds with a quieter demeanor.
Now sports fans, this has some far reaching implications. I am actively engaged in teaching music in my home. I have noticed that some students have an attention deficit - that is they can't keep their mind on a subject for very long. I have also noticed that most commercials on TV come at you at speeds that will not allow you to concentrate on any of the details of the video. I have actually sat in my living room and timed the number of separate images that are displayed in a commercial per second. Try it sometime. You will be amazed.
Correlating all these facts causes me to come to some startling conclusions. I don't profess to be absolutely correct about this - I merely am drawing some empirical conclusions through my observations.
It seems that all of society is on a path to destroy concentration in all of society's members. The level of distraction, both audio based and other, is enormous. The mega corporation IBM had as it's motto when I was employed there "THINK". That's all - just "THINK". I wonder if they retained that motto. Today it might be considered persecution to demand that someone merely "THINK". I can hear the response already - -"can't think - too noisy".
Concluding this blog, here is still another observation. I have noticed in my business life that the homes with the least noise and distraction invariably produced the best students both in academics and in music. It seems that they are being allowed to concentrate without distraction.
Monday, September 12, 2005
7/31/05 - Post I
- - - As a musician, I have always been aware of organized sound vs. disorganized sound. Another way to put it would be - - - desirable sound vs. undesirable sound. Now that sounds quite subjective, doesn't it?
Delving into the science of harmony, beat frequencies, harmonics, etc., the realm of objectivity starts to take form. If music were totally subjective, no two listeners would concur on what is good and what is bad, unless their analyses were based on social acceptance rather than 'what is music' and 'what is noise'. We therefore arrive at one of the definitions of noise. Quoting Merriam-Webster - "sound - especially one that lacks agreeable musical quality or is noticeably unpleasant". Does that open Pandora's box, or what?
For our very first post on this destined to be great Blog "LESS NOISE", we wish to explore this area of our lives - noticeably unpleasant sound. Since we need a datum line - we go on a search to find just the right one! Since noise includes a "noticeably unpleasant sound" and since a certain amount of subjectivity exists (believe me - it does exist), what is unpleasant for one is not unpleasant for another - and since we must start someplace, a logical starting point would be a place we could all agree on. The only totally fulfilling place would be where we would all agree. Since the beginning of the definition posted begins with the word sound and since we cannot totally agree on what constitutes an unpleasant sound, the only conclusion we can make is to choose as our datum point no sound at all - absolute silence! Now we have something. Interestingly, there is a published word on this. It is found in the Holy Bible - Psalms 46:10 - Be still, and know that I am God: And again in Habakkuk 2:20 - But the Lord is in his holy temple: let all the earth keep silence before him. Still and silent. Sounds like a pretty good datum point to me - and it would seem to be based on some pretty strong authority as well!
This takes us to an observance of human nature. When we are young, our nervous systems are fresh and our homones are all at peak performance. In this time of our life, the average person welcomes excitement, noise, activity - all under the guise of fun. As we age, many of these physiological metrics change and become somewhat unacceptable. As young people, we like fireworks - as older folks we are not as enthused. Many other areas of our lives follow this pattern. From the subjective viewpoint, the generation gap is live and well with regard to what is an agreeable sound and what is a disagreeable sound.
Since a loud sound will get our attention quite quickly (constituting a built in defense mechanism), many in our society have substituted loud for talent. This is not to say that a talented musician will never play loud. Loudness becomes a tool - just one of many - in the kit of the accomplished musician. Those that are short on talent or development will often substitute loudness for what is missing (talent and development).
Take for example the T.V. commercial. There is a special amplifier used when airing commercials that "cranks" the volume on the commercial - as if the loudness will make us watch the commercial with more intensity. This is a case where the blind are leading the blind. The promoter has the customer believing that he must have this "loudness" just to keep up. It is amazing to behold the result. Millions of T.V. viewers sawing off the commercial in the first few milliseconds of the beginning to avoid the "noise". Unbelievably, in this age of ever more pleasing T.V. viewing screens and better and better sound systems, more and more of the population are getting disenchanted with T.V. as an entertainment value. Because of "noise". It is simply an example of substituting loud noise for no talent. The commercial writers are lacking in talent so they hire a rock-and-roll drummer to pound our brains out - thinking that we will rush out and spend $30,000 on a vehicle because we liked the loud noise. They are living in a different universe than I. I take note of objectionable commercials and vow to not buy the product being advertised. I actually do this. We have a little game at our house to see how quickly we can extinguish the sound track on the commercials. These "bright boys" think they are pulling one over on us. They argue that because we take notice - even if we are offended, that they have achieved product recognition. They vote that product recognition is the key to sales. I vote with my wallet.
Many years ago, a leading auto company aired a commercial about a young couple in a convertible with the top down. As they drove along a beautiful highway, the young lady in the passenger seat was shedding her undergarments and throwing them out of the car. This was suppose to achieve product recognition. To me, this was a form of "noise" in the spectrum of morality. I vowed at that time to never drive a car produced by that company. They certainly achieved product recognition didn't they? NOISE!
I am not unreasonable - just stubborn. I welcome your comments. Keep them clean and dignified - vent all you want. Remember - profanity is the attempt of a feeble mind to express itself forcefully!
- - - As a musician, I have always been aware of organized sound vs. disorganized sound. Another way to put it would be - - - desirable sound vs. undesirable sound. Now that sounds quite subjective, doesn't it?
Delving into the science of harmony, beat frequencies, harmonics, etc., the realm of objectivity starts to take form. If music were totally subjective, no two listeners would concur on what is good and what is bad, unless their analyses were based on social acceptance rather than 'what is music' and 'what is noise'. We therefore arrive at one of the definitions of noise. Quoting Merriam-Webster - "sound - especially one that lacks agreeable musical quality or is noticeably unpleasant". Does that open Pandora's box, or what?
For our very first post on this destined to be great Blog "LESS NOISE", we wish to explore this area of our lives - noticeably unpleasant sound. Since we need a datum line - we go on a search to find just the right one! Since noise includes a "noticeably unpleasant sound" and since a certain amount of subjectivity exists (believe me - it does exist), what is unpleasant for one is not unpleasant for another - and since we must start someplace, a logical starting point would be a place we could all agree on. The only totally fulfilling place would be where we would all agree. Since the beginning of the definition posted begins with the word sound and since we cannot totally agree on what constitutes an unpleasant sound, the only conclusion we can make is to choose as our datum point no sound at all - absolute silence! Now we have something. Interestingly, there is a published word on this. It is found in the Holy Bible - Psalms 46:10 - Be still, and know that I am God: And again in Habakkuk 2:20 - But the Lord is in his holy temple: let all the earth keep silence before him. Still and silent. Sounds like a pretty good datum point to me - and it would seem to be based on some pretty strong authority as well!
This takes us to an observance of human nature. When we are young, our nervous systems are fresh and our homones are all at peak performance. In this time of our life, the average person welcomes excitement, noise, activity - all under the guise of fun. As we age, many of these physiological metrics change and become somewhat unacceptable. As young people, we like fireworks - as older folks we are not as enthused. Many other areas of our lives follow this pattern. From the subjective viewpoint, the generation gap is live and well with regard to what is an agreeable sound and what is a disagreeable sound.
Since a loud sound will get our attention quite quickly (constituting a built in defense mechanism), many in our society have substituted loud for talent. This is not to say that a talented musician will never play loud. Loudness becomes a tool - just one of many - in the kit of the accomplished musician. Those that are short on talent or development will often substitute loudness for what is missing (talent and development).
Take for example the T.V. commercial. There is a special amplifier used when airing commercials that "cranks" the volume on the commercial - as if the loudness will make us watch the commercial with more intensity. This is a case where the blind are leading the blind. The promoter has the customer believing that he must have this "loudness" just to keep up. It is amazing to behold the result. Millions of T.V. viewers sawing off the commercial in the first few milliseconds of the beginning to avoid the "noise". Unbelievably, in this age of ever more pleasing T.V. viewing screens and better and better sound systems, more and more of the population are getting disenchanted with T.V. as an entertainment value. Because of "noise". It is simply an example of substituting loud noise for no talent. The commercial writers are lacking in talent so they hire a rock-and-roll drummer to pound our brains out - thinking that we will rush out and spend $30,000 on a vehicle because we liked the loud noise. They are living in a different universe than I. I take note of objectionable commercials and vow to not buy the product being advertised. I actually do this. We have a little game at our house to see how quickly we can extinguish the sound track on the commercials. These "bright boys" think they are pulling one over on us. They argue that because we take notice - even if we are offended, that they have achieved product recognition. They vote that product recognition is the key to sales. I vote with my wallet.
Many years ago, a leading auto company aired a commercial about a young couple in a convertible with the top down. As they drove along a beautiful highway, the young lady in the passenger seat was shedding her undergarments and throwing them out of the car. This was suppose to achieve product recognition. To me, this was a form of "noise" in the spectrum of morality. I vowed at that time to never drive a car produced by that company. They certainly achieved product recognition didn't they? NOISE!
I am not unreasonable - just stubborn. I welcome your comments. Keep them clean and dignified - vent all you want. Remember - profanity is the attempt of a feeble mind to express itself forcefully!
