7/2 Reflections on the sounds

I have to admit that I never thought about the role sounds play in our lives. I take them for granted and never pay full attention to them.

Due to this week assignment, I start to listen to sounds actively. I recorded couple clips from the subway on my way to queens. I took subway a millions times, but never listen to the sounds on the subway. I unplugged my earphone from the music, turned off my e-reader, and concentrated to the sounds around me.

I start to feel the sound, feel the vibration, from all directions. I closed the eyes for couple minutes; I can hear the sound from the train track, the conversation from the people sit near by and the voice of radio on the train. I noticed that I was able to visualize everything I heard, the grind from the track metals, the faces of the people talking. Sounds encircled me and created a three dimensional space surround me. Sound presents more than a picture; it live up the scene, delivers a sensation, comfort or stimulants, and presents a vivid visualization, a phenomena. Our ears are very curious; they always want to find out where the sounds came from and the story behind each sound.  Sounds provide us a tangible approach to discover them.

Some take-away from the TED talk The Art of Listening.
-Listening is an act of generosity and a source discovery. 
Sounds send out emotions. Emotions get fulfilled through listening.
Listening is about focus and concentration.
Tune the body to experience the sounds. The drum skin can resonate with the body.
The power of the listening, instead of prevailing or persuading, give the other one a way to pour out and tell out what they are suffering and struggling with.
Self-recording (listen to ourselves) gives people more chances to express themselves in peace, (self-interview).