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Richard Wilson

Sound versus Music versus Audio versus Noise - 26 views

started by Richard Wilson on 20 Oct 13
  • Richard Wilson
    #1 Richard Wilson on 20 Oct 13
     
    Hi Folks,

    My name is Richard Wilson. I am one of the 2 diigo hosts for the week.

    I have a fundamental belief that ANY sound can be called music, if you frame it as music AND you if find it pleasing. When music or sound becomes unpleasant, only then should it be called noise.

    Much of the world defines these terms differently and calls every sound NOISE.
    It's just not the case. Not all sounds are annoying.

    What are your thoughts? How does sound affect your brain during buying experiences? Do you like "specials" on the intercom or quiet popular music softly playing? Does one run you out of the store and the other "keep you there longer"? What about while studying? Silence, the sound of nothing at all. The sound of your refrigerator or AC? Tunes?

    This man, in a most potent way, explores how sounds affects our brains and our daily lives in unmeasurable terms.

    Good stuff when you're considering your video designs.

    http://youtu.be/rRepnhXq33s
  • Jaime Villanueva
    #2 Jaime Villanueva on 20 Oct 13
     
    I agree Richard music can make a big difference in your buying patterns.I remember last Christmas I walked into a store in the mall I think it was called journey and the sales rep had the music blasting with heavy metal music and I left because it was annoying to listen to.

    I cannot study with music on or any kind or even loud sounds. Both of my daughters can do it and it amazes me that they can I on the other hand cannot.If I am driving long distances I usually have the radio loud for the reason of keeping me awake.Although,If I am driving the same long distances easy to listening tunes will have the opposite effect on me.

    I guest some of the music that annoys me I would consider noise.I realize though it is based on my interpretation of what noise is !
  • Katy Lu
    #3 Katy Lu on 21 Oct 13
     
    I totally agree with you Richard.
    When it is pleasant, it called music. When it is unpleasant it called noise.
    I copied a line from the comment of the YouTube Video you provided above.
    "good clubs allow people to dance & talk."
    That is absolutely correct.
    Music is enjoyable and that lift your spirits.

    This is one of my favorite quotes from Victor Hugo.
    "Music expresses that which cannot be put into words and that which cannot remain silent."

    Do you agree?
  • Richard Wilson
    #4 Richard Wilson on 21 Oct 13
     
    Victor Hugo, the poet? Of course, I agree Katy Lu. Those are nice words!

    One of my quotes is actually a lyric from Crosby, Stills, Nash, the opening line from "Wooden Ships" --

    "If you smile at me, I will understand,
    'Cause that is something everybody everywhere does
    in the same language."

    I've otten wished I had thought of that line but with, "If you sing to me, I will understand, 'cause..."
  • Richard Wilson
    #5 Richard Wilson on 21 Oct 13
     
    Hi Jaime,

    My shopping experience is Walmart versus HEB. I frequent Walmart and, here, they play old 60's surf music a lot. Kind of different. Relaxing. Had to go to HEB the other day and whilst in the middle of talking to my family, the intercom blared BLARED b-blared a price offering, interrupting my brain and my thoughts. We ran out, right there and then.

    The question remains then, if you chose to add background sound to your instructional video, how do you make it an additive learning experience for all students all the time?
  • Maria Austin
    #6 Maria Austin on 21 Oct 13
     
    Richard,

    Thank you for sharing this wonderful video! I am quite a fan of Julian Treasure and his teachings on sound and communication.

    As he implied in his talk, music, in particular, helps set the mood for any activity and when the background music is not congruent with the activity, music becomes 'noise' to the thinking brain. When making decisions concerning educational designs, we should be particularly aware of this aspect of music. When music is appropriate, it becomes one more piece of information and can add to the learning process. Unfortunately, when music is just added for the sake of adding one more element, it becomes a distraction, even preventing learning from happening, in which case, it would be better to just opt for silence.

    Julian in his talks also states that most people never listen and, when they do, their listening comprehension is only 25% (of what is said). Given the fact that we, as a species, are good at pattern recognition, it means that we don't necessarily have to listen to survive in this modern world.

    Another important factor influencing our listening capabilities is gender. As Treasure explains, females are expansive listeners enjoying the journey of the conversation while males are reductive listeners who merely engage in communication to find the solution quickly, the final objective being more important than the process through which it was reached.

    Treasure explains this in another TED talks: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CKayQthlwts

    Thank you again, Richard for sharing this with us!
  • Richard Wilson
    #7 Richard Wilson on 22 Oct 13
     
    Thank you Maria. I encourage anyone that was interested in Julian Treasure's 5 minute video watch this 20 minute one in conjunction. It is a better find.
  • Maria Austin
    #8 Maria Austin on 23 Oct 13
     
    Thank you, Richard, for your kind words! I believe that both videos go hand in hand and complement each other and I thank you again for having shared yours with us!
  • Jeff Blackman
    #9 Jeff Blackman on 23 Oct 13
     
    Nice tie in to Brain Rule 8, I think. Sound could be a good way to reduce stress in training. I know when I used to do a lot of instructor led training, I liked to have music playing as participants came in. It seemed a lot more welcoming than just a silent room. We could certainly use music or other sound effectively in online training as well. Definitely something I want to think about more as I develop my courses.
  • Richard Wilson
    #10 Richard Wilson on 23 Oct 13
     
    Thanks Jeff,

    The real trick is selecting the right music at the right volume. Some courses are great at this, some annoying. It is a fine balance.
  • Richard Wilson
    #12 Richard Wilson on 25 Oct 13
     
    Hi Katy Lu,
    That is "Morning Has Broken" written and released by Cat Stevens circa 1971. He made many good relaxing songs in the early seventies. Thank you for bringing this memory back.

    Please listen to his whole album "Tea for the Tillerman". 36 minutes of pleasure to go with your 2nd pot of Oolong tea.

    http://youtu.be/T-jzxiyFgfM
  • Jackie Byford
    #13 Jackie Byford on 27 Oct 13
     
    This is something I have thought about incorporating into my classroom, but always wonder if I am picking the right music for the right situation. I am like your daughter's Richard. I started college later in life and already had 3 kids. They were 3, 4, & 6 when I started and I would do my work as they came up asking for whatever their needs were or I would take breaks to meet their needs. To this day I do my work sitting in front of the t.v. with my kids coming to me asking questions about homework or whatever. Music can definitely affect our mood and emotions.
    As to your questions, I like when stores have popular music playing in the background. I don't like the hourly specials being announced. I also don't like it to be too quiet while I shop, so I will sing a tune or something in my head. There is always some background noise in my house, we don't like the quiet very often.

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