Can you survive without noise?
@lordwarwizard (35747)
Singapore
April 19, 2008 5:39am CST
Testing 1, 2, 3. Mic test. Testing 1, 2, 3.
We are not going to start a show here but we are going to do a sound test. I want you to OPEN your ears (just flap them open with your fingers, you do not need any tools) and listen. Can you hear anything? Do you hear some pleasant sound, some noise or complete silence?
Most of us live in an urbanized area. The lucky few relax in the countryside. If you are in the former category, chances are that you won't get complete silence - not even at night, at least not for a prolonged period. If you are in the latter category, it might actually be similar for your case - instead of "urban noise", you will be serenaded by "rural noise" from insects and animals.
Yes, you might complain about noise, about how it invades your otherwise serene life. But let me pose a question to you. CAN YOU SURVIVE WITHOUT NOISE? By that, I mean no noise at all i.e. absolute silence. Imagine putting on a pair of powerful noise-canceling earphones 24/7. I don't know about you but I think I will go crazy. Living a life without any noise at all is akin to being deaf.
What do you think? Can you survive without noise? Do share your thoughts. 
PS.: If you are hearing-impaired, please do not take this discussion the wrong way. I apologize in advance if I have stepped on your toes.
PS.: If you are hearing-impaired, please do not take this discussion the wrong way. I apologize in advance if I have stepped on your toes.30 people like this
98 responses
@charms88 (7538)
• Philippines
19 Apr 08
To live in a place sans the noise is like living in a tomb. That's how I perceived it to be. I grew up with a lot of noise around my house and during my career as a ballet dancer. Without noise, life would be dull and boring.
Ever since I have my two girls, my life is full of noises, ! There will be days that I wouldn't mind those yelling and screaming banshee. But, on the other hand, there will be days that I was actually anticipating the moment when my girls were sleeping and I will finally inhale a deep breathe and greedily enjoy the silence. All parents can certainly relate well with what I'm saying.
However, I don't like noises that's way too loud. Like those music with high volume and you feel as if your heart is thumping with it. Or the adults using my place as their ring for shouting matches(you know who I'm talking about). 
! There will be days that I wouldn't mind those yelling and screaming banshee. But, on the other hand, there will be days that I was actually anticipating the moment when my girls were sleeping and I will finally inhale a deep breathe and greedily enjoy the silence. All parents can certainly relate well with what I'm saying.
However, I don't like noises that's way too loud. Like those music with high volume and you feel as if your heart is thumping with it. Or the adults using my place as their ring for shouting matches(you know who I'm talking about). 
, I recall mentioning to you about ballet. Or was it in our past lives? @lordwarwizard (35747)
• Singapore
19 Apr 08
OMG baby, I am so happy to see you here! 
Ballet dancer? Wow, I didn't know that! 
And yes, I don't usually like too loud noises too.
Ballet dancer? Wow, I didn't know that!
And yes, I don't usually like too loud noises too. 4 people like this
@minnie_98214 (10557)
• United States
19 Apr 08
Well I have a house full of animals and Id love a night where they are fighting or meowimg or barking or playing inside a noisy plastic bag lol. Plus two kids so id say yeah I would love silence but in reality I love my crazy mad house. I need the noise I am a person who doesnt like to be alone so the sounds keep me happy.
5 people like this
@lordwarwizard (35747)
• Singapore
19 Apr 08
Lol, so you have so much "default noise" to start with. Then indeed, if one day any noise is missing, you might feel very uncomfortable.
4 people like this
@harmonyswift (6)
• Canada
20 Apr 08
I live in the city, so sounds like cars, motorcycles, loud disruptive noises are disruptive... I could live with the sound of the birds, nature, healing music, those are the sounds that feed the soul
3 people like this
@Aussies2007 (5336)
• Australia
19 Apr 08
It is not about living without noise...
It is about being in control of the noise you want to hear.
You don't want to hear someone else noise. You want to hear your own noise.
You want to smell your own cooking... not the next door neighbor's cooking. You can put up with most smells around your house... but not somebody else smells.
We are territorial beasts... and we don't like anything intruding in our territory.
@lordwarwizard (35747)
• Singapore
19 Apr 08
Oh yea, if others' noise intrude too much, then it becomes very irritating...
4 people like this
@recycledgoth (9894)
•
19 Apr 08
I don't think I could live in a world without some noise hun. Don't get me wrong, there are times when I like nothing better than to go out into the countryside and just sit in the peace and quiet, with only the faint sounds of birdsong in the trees.
But I love my music and couldn't be without music playing, and the sounds of children laughing, or the sound of gentle rain pattering down, or the tinkling sound of water over the pebbles in my little water garden.
Ok so some noise is awful, the noise of the busy city can sometimes be deafening, traffic noise and roadworks. But the sounds of the countryside, and the sound of music are so important to me
@lordwarwizard (35747)
• Singapore
19 Apr 08
Indeed, my friend.
Noise is an integral part of life.
4 people like this
@whyaskq (7523)
• Singapore
19 Apr 08
I did a test. Even if you cover both your ears with your hands, fingers or superb ear plugs, there are still some "noises"... It could this echo ringing that might drive me crazy. However, if it is complete silence, I might be able to survive for a while provided I can still do other things.
I would think that one who is hearing-impaired will have sharper eyes and better observation, so he is not deprived of the worldly pleasures. In return, he might be rewarded with "peace". It is always what we hear that create many misunderstandings and havoc. Hear no evil and the heart will be at ease as he will also see less evil and speak less evil.
5 people like this
@lordwarwizard (35747)
• Singapore
19 Apr 08
Lol, you are so funny! And good points!
4 people like this
@faith210 (11224)
• Philippines
19 Apr 08
Hi lordwarwizard! Oh I don't think I can survive with no sound at all. Too much silence is kinda scary to me. 
I would be feeling so alone if that will be the case. I think I would rather have that traffic noise anytime instead of the dark silence. Just my thoughts. Take care and have a nice day!
I would be feeling so alone if that will be the case. I think I would rather have that traffic noise anytime instead of the dark silence. Just my thoughts. Take care and have a nice day!@lordwarwizard (35747)
• Singapore
19 Apr 08
Indeed! I think absolute silence is very scary!!
4 people like this
@weemam (13372)
•
19 Apr 08
No I couldn't pal , I love to hear the birds in the morning and there is no sweeter sound than hubby and son saying good morning or my parents and sons and grandchildren saying " I love you" . It must be so sad for people who can't hear these things xx
@lordwarwizard (35747)
• Singapore
19 Apr 08
Oh yea, some sounds are so beautiful. 
Right, it is always sad to be deprived of any sense... 
Right, it is always sad to be deprived of any sense... 4 people like this
@icyorchid (2564)
• United States
19 Apr 08
Well, the answer is no. lol
I have to have some kind of noise or it drives me crazy. I am talking about TV or radio, something like that.
4 people like this
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
19 Apr 08
Absolute silence is something that we very rarely encounter, so it is unnatural to us and I imagine that it could be a little unnerving over a prolonged period.
I cannot say that I would like even the tranquil state of subued noise, such as a seemingly quiet house or street for too long.
5 people like this
@lordwarwizard (35747)
• Singapore
19 Apr 08
Good point. Perhaps we might ultimately get used to it...
4 people like this
@DavidReedy (2378)
• United States
19 Apr 08
I think this amounts to a basic type of sensory deprivation, and all that I'd be talking out of my rear if I suggested I knew anything about the need for hearing/sound--It would seem that the complete and utter loss of any sense we are familiar with there would come nothing less than a whole lot of anxiety.
I, in college, have experienced being blindfolded in the dark with the instructions of remaining silent for a period of up to two hours and I know the mind starts to go to shaky places under such circumstances. In another occasion, I having heard that it can cause people to hallucinate decided not to overtly communicate (i.e. speak to) any other human beings for as long as I could. By the third day (my last on this challenge) I was experiencing high anxiety, and slight hallucinations. Needless to say, I started speaking again.
4 people like this
@lordwarwizard (35747)
• Singapore
20 Apr 08
Good point. Hallucination.
Then again, it is an idea - good way to toughen our guts.
2 people like this
@mssnow (9484)
• United States
19 Apr 08
I am slowly losing my hearing. Not sure why but I think they are all plugged up. I can tell you its no fun asking someone to repeat them selves three or four times. I would not like to lose it completely. I love hearing the birds sining or children playing. I would be at a loss not to have noise around.
4 people like this
@lordwarwizard (35747)
• Singapore
20 Apr 08
Oh my princess, I am very sorry to read that... have you consulted a doctor on this?
2 people like this
@vera5d (4005)
• United States
19 Apr 08
I might go crazy at first, but after awhile i don't think it would bother me. There are a lot of noises I would miss - my favorite songs, my kids laughing, my hubby talking to me...others like the tv, my neighbors dogs barking and loud trucks I'd be glad not hear at all ever again!
@gemini_rose (16264)
•
19 Apr 08
I could not live without any noise, no. I like silence and can quite happily sit in the house with no tv or no radio on, but I have to talk to myself every so often just to hear a noise! Mind you, silence in our house with 4 kids is very rare indeed. I do have a partial hearing problem these days, I have trouble hearing things clearly, and it is a pain, I think it is through having ear phones in full blast and cotton wool buds. But I would definately hate no noise at all.
5 people like this
@lordwarwizard (35747)
• Singapore
19 Apr 08
Yea, I think it is not good if it is too noisy but just minimal ambiance noise is quite okay.
4 people like this
@jesbellaine (4139)
• Philippines
19 Apr 08
To be honest, I am not sure but I have been and lived for few days in an "rural area" or "provinces" and it is very quiet there. The only thing that you will hear is the sound of animals and insects, what can I say? I enjoyed it for few days but then I really started missing the "usual noise" that I hear when I am at home with people so I don't think I can live with total silence all my life. Once in a while, we really need serenity, away from everyone just to think and meditate but I still need the "noise" from people and other things to make me know that I am still alive and kicking.
Hey, this is a nice discussion. No worries. 
4 people like this
@lordwarwizard (35747)
• Singapore
20 Apr 08
Yup yup, I agree that while occasionally relaxing away from the noise is great, living without ANY ambiance noise at all is certainly not fun!
2 people like this
@Ohara_1983 (4117)
• Kuwait
19 Apr 08
My gosh my friend maybe i will be crazy in that time, in that time im going to my bed i need music or open my TV just to hear noise so i can sleep well.even m hubby & daughter is the same attitude i have.
3 people like this
@lordwarwizard (35747)
• Singapore
20 Apr 08
Yup, I think I will go crazy in that circumstance too lol.
1 person likes this
@cwilson26 (2735)
• United States
19 Apr 08
Where we live it is nice and quiet because we are out in the country and have no neighbors for a mile on each side of us. I wouldn't have it any other way. I don't like being around a lot of noise. The only noises around here are our dogs barking, cars going up and down, some 4 wheelers and of course the birds and insects. I absolutely love it. :)
3 people like this
@lordwarwizard (35747)
• Singapore
20 Apr 08
You just love noise "permitted" by you.
2 people like this
@ayou82 (3450)
• Philippines
19 Apr 08
No i cant i really miss my country because here it is noisy thats what i say to people I miss the noise of the street and the kids playing in the afternoon unlike some countries that you cannot hear anything at all.. and they cannot laugh that much or stay up too late having a party because they will be reported to the authorities and that i consider no fun .. yes you have to respect others but having fun should not have limits..
4 people like this
@lordwarwizard (35747)
• Singapore
20 Apr 08
Well, we live in a world populated by many people. That's why laws come about and limits are imposed...
2 people like this
@Hatley (163776)
• Garden Grove, California
19 Apr 08
Noise beautiful noise. I had a bad cold awhile back and my ears were completely blocked.That was the most awful experience tonot be able to hear the odd jumble of noises I usually heard sitting here at my computer.NOw I can hear the steady hum of my computer mixed with the sounds of plane flying overhead and cars passing by outside my window, jumbled with a mexican's spanish and a dog barking. the noise of life being lived and without those sounds we would be feeling sensory deprivation. that would make us feel ill.
3 people like this
@lordwarwizard (35747)
• Singapore
20 Apr 08
When we can suddenly hear noise after being exposed to a period of prolonged silence, noise can be like manna from heaven.
1 person likes this
@kenzie45230 (3560)
• United States
19 Apr 08
It's hard to imagine a world without noise. Right now, one of my cats is sitting on my lap and purring. I'm not paying much attention to her, but she's content - and happy enough to purr - just to be on my lap. That's a noise that's plesant to the ears. I love listening to the bird sing in the morning, and to the two young boys who live next door play in the yard.
I think I could do without distraction sometimes. Right now, the TV is off and the only sound (besides the cat purring) is the refrigerator humming. I like the absense of TV and music right now.
@lordwarwizard (35747)
• Singapore
20 Apr 08
Cats! They just like you to scratch behind their ears, don't they?
1 person likes this
@lordwarwizard (35747)
• Singapore
20 Apr 08
Yup, ambiance noise adds to the... ambiance.
1 person likes this
