Ambient noise

[Phillip Allen]

Walking at just before daybreak this morning; I am struck at how much noise there is in a supposedly still sleeping town. Not so distant crashes, heavy sounds of air conditioners, cars and motor scooters/cycles, a siren from an ambulance and trucks moving through town and a hundred anonymous sounds…what a racket! I wonder if some of the craziness we see now is not just human reaction to sensory overload or the attrition of these assaults on our minds…

http://recenter.tamu.edu/Data/popm/pm2580.htm

[Stinkbug]

i got one of those big ear dishes so i can listen in on the neighbors

[LeeG]

I was waiting for my ride at BWI last night, the passenger pickup is under a four lane road with big motors/fans sucking air up and out. The construction is new so the baffles over the fans haven't been installed and the sound of four 4' fans being driven by big electric motors is 15'-50' away from any spot. I can't wait to see how they baffle the noise, can't hear the PA from 6' away.

[LeeG]

60cycle, BBZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

[Kim Whitmyre]

I have a constant ringing in my ear anyways, but my wife and I occassionally housesit for a cousin who lives in the Topanga Canyon hills: the evenings and mornings are quiet. Or visiting my wife's mother in southwest Pennsylvania, near the West Virginia border, it's really quiet.

Here in Long Beach, Ca, there is a constant hum 24/7, with loud variations during the day :mad: And, they want to expand the airport :mad:

[Ken Hutchins]

Just go out and sit in the woods early in the morning and you will be surprised how much noise there is out where most people would think it is quiet. The wild creatures all waking up and starting to move about, chirping, chattering and the rustle of the leaves with the slightest breeze.:) But a pleasant noise it is.:)

[geeman]

Tinitus can just about drive you crazy.I've been suffering from it for many years.At night when its quiet it keeps me awake from "all the noise".For several years at night in the summer we sleep with the windows open,during that time the outside noises that I thought were insects at night turned out to be in my head (no jokes here)LOL.I didnt realize this until one night it was a bit too chilly to keep the windows open ,wife closed them and the " outside noise" was still keeping me awake.What a shock to realize it was in my head all this time.Still I love the relative quiet at night here in the Smoky Mtns.

[Milo Christensen]

I have just one word for summer night noise: cicadas.

[paladin]

go sailing...far offshore.....no engine.....no music.....no radio......:D

[Cec]

I lived in a downtown apartment for six years... now I live in the burbs... the first several nights were so quiet I couldn't sleep... as Ken said, the mornings are blissfully noisey with the sounds of nature coming alive... I'll take that over traffic sounds any day.

[BrianW]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v136/BrianW/hunting/boot.jpg

[Paul Pless]

damn Brian, talk about oneupmanship

[Kim Whitmyre]

:cool: :cool:

[Woxbox]

One of the absolute best moments for me sailing is the moment the sails begin to draw and I kill the engine. I take a deep breath and every muscle in my body relaxes.
I'm always amazed how most people seem to tune out the massive background noise we live with. Why is it that bars that are supposed to be places to talk have such loud music everyone has to shout? How come some of the most elaborately designed public spaces are built like echo chambers? If the architects can spec polished granite, why can't they do something to keep the noise down? How can anyone live with a heat pump sitting next to the patio or deck in the backyard? I could go on, but the ambient noise levels most places I go drives me nuts. People just wouldn't put up with it if it was anything else but noise. What gives? :confused:

[Tristan]

I often arise just before dawn (about 5:45 or 6 AM). Sit on the back porch (screened to keep the mosquitoes off). It's amazing how quiet it is. Usually the coolest part of the "night," so little or no AC noise. A few tiny greenhouse frogs are trilling, similar to crickets. Gradually a couple mocking birds stir and begin sleepy chirping. Then I hear the muffled thud of a neighbor's car door closing, the engine start and . . . gradually the noise begins. But that early morning is soooo peaceful.

[Meerkat]

I like to sleep with my windows open, winter or summer. I also run a fan. It's white noise drowns out the outside noise and is much easier to ignore. Works for me.

Edited to add: except if I'm awake just before dawn when all the birds start tuning up. Noisy little buggers! :D

[WX]

Nothing like it, just the chuckle of the bow wave and sometimes a little vibration in the tiller as she talks to you :-)

[BrianW]

I do like my 'quiet spots', and I'm heading out for another one in a few weeks.

To be honest though, I've yet to 'hear' a sailboat underway. In fact I've never been on a sailboat. I try and imagine the sensation, and even had a quick dream about sailing the other night.

I bet it don't suck. ;)

[Phillip Allen]

Brian, you're more mobile than some...git yersef on a sailboat! Report back.

[geeman]

When we're lucky enough to get time on the boat,,we sort of get that quiet feeling your talking about with the sailboat.Since our boat is now electric we dont contend with the noise and can relax and listen to nothing the whole day.

[Hughman]

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid139/p69263ec57b2a9acc64b2ac36674b887f/f70cb99a.jpg

[Joe ( Cold Spring on Hudson )]

I do like my 'quiet spots', and I'm heading out for another one in a few weeks.

To be honest though, I've yet to 'hear' a sailboat underway. In fact I've never been on a sailboat. I try and imagine the sensation, and even had a quick dream about sailing the other night.

I bet it don't suck. ;)

Ya got an open ticket on Tidbit or Dove ya just have to bring your camera.

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid209/p445331a9b688e7cbc8c044b56fa1af97/ee34bb6c.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid211/p46bbd3fbd293d52e69fdb0fbec9fd7bf/ed9a6115.jpg

[BrianW]

Thanks Joe!

I'll bring my camera with the Leica lense, even if it's not a true Leica camera.

You can be absolutely sure that if we hit the North East coast, we'll stop by.