How does sound affect the world?

From the roar of a lion to the slight whisper of the wind as it blows, the world is a place of millions upon millions of unique sounds.  In our daily lives, we are surrounded by sound.  Rarely, if ever, do we witness complete silence.  However, despite the thousands of sounds surrounding at any given time, most of us use our sense of hearing for little more than communication and listening.  The sounds which you hear in every day life are often forgotten or overlooked.  We live in a culture dominated mostly by the use of sight.  As students of music technology though, we should have a higher appreciation of sound.  To become better musicians and we should embrace the idea of "sonological competence" and learn at least the basics of a field of study known as acoustic ecology.

Scientist R Murray Schafer is one of the most important figures when it comes to acoustic ecology.  Schafer was a writer, composer, educator, and environmentalist.  Schafer was concerned with the dangers which technological sound had for humans and the environment.  Noise pollution from factories or transportation vehicles such as jet planes can increase stress levels, aggression, and cause lack of sleep and cause hearing loss in humans.  Furthermore, noise pollution can effect the environment.  Loud noises created by humans can cause animals to have trouble or be unable to communicate or navigate using sound properly.  Schafer worked hard to get governments to pass legislation to limit sound pollution.  In his project known as World Soundscape, Schafer attempted to raise awareness for acoustic ecology.

As musicians, it is important for us to understand and appreciate sound and the effects of sound.  The natural sounds of the world are beautiful and should be preserved rather than cloaked by the sounds of industry and human life.  I hope that after reading this everyone will raise their awareness for the sounds around them and listen more carefully to better understand sound and its effects in our world.

                                                                 R.  Murray Schafer

References:
"The World Soundscape Project." WORLD SOUNDSCAPE PROJECT. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Sept. 2013.

"R. Murray Schafer." - The Canadian Encyclopedia. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Sept. 2013.

Wrightson, Kendall. "An Introduction to Acoustic Ecology." N.p., n.d. Web.