Will You Keep It Down!
Noise according to the dictionary has a number of meanings. Here are two that are noteworthy for today:
- Sound or a sound that is loud, unpleasant, unexpected, or undesired.
b. Sound or a sound of any kind: The only noise was the wind in the pines.
Depending on your interpretation, ‘Noise’ can either be pleasant or unpleasant. I was trying to write a piece for this blog the other day at Herman’s house when Otto barged in and…
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“All I get is complaints! Turn the TV down. Can we have some quiet in here? Why do we always have to have noise in the house? It never ends.”
Herman picked his head up and said, “You really do have things on a lot. I remember the last time we went on a car trip upstate, you had to have a book on tape playing throughout the entire ride. It was a little distracting.”
“Yeah, but how is that noise? Listening to things while driving helps me focus, especially on long trips,” was Otto’s retort.
Herman considered that. “Okay, I will grant you that not everything that you listen to can be defined as noise, however, there is a difference when you listen to something if you’re alone and when there are others around. If talking and listening are important to help you focus, then talk. You don’t need a radio, or CD or book on tape to make the noise when there is someone in the car to interact with.”
“Isn’t it more distracting when you are waiting for someone to talk as opposed to following a dialogue that flows. Sometimes thinking of what to say takes your focus from driving. Besides, when I’m at home a lot by myself, it’s good to listen to things and watch TV. Too much quiet is even more distracting to working; my mind then tends to wander all over the place.”
“Again,” said Herman, “what works for you on your alone time is different from what you do with others. For me, I love the quiet. It calms my mind and helps me focus on my writing and in the car on my driving. We all need to respect our individual differences.”
Otto grumbled, “Respecting is one thing, liking it is another.
Herman pointed out, “You have a lot of bluster when it comes to noise, but I’ve seen you enjoying the quiet when I’m driving at times and when we visit people and there is a big crowd, where you have to scream to be heard by the person you’re talking to.
Otto couldn’t respond. He just shook his head in frustration and went back home.
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I kept out of the whole discussion and just listened. I decided that Noise would be a good thing to write about. It does have multiple meanings and in different situations can mean different things. I leave it for you to decide. All I know is that when Otto left, it became much quieter and I was able to finish this piece.
