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I have a theory that people like those sort of white noise sounds due to plesant memories associated to them. For instance, maybe the person is into sci-fi or,
by aflag 6y ago
I have a theory that people like those sort of white noise sounds due to plesant memories associated to them. For instance, maybe the person is into sci-fi or, for the coffee shop ones, maybe it's someone who often goes to coffee shops with friends. I, particularly, like absolute silence. The quieter it is, the more relaxed I get. Is there any scientific explanation as to why some people like white noise whereas other people prefer silence?
- telesilla 6y agoGenerally people who listen to noise are in a non-silent environment. I also much prefer silence however when that isn't possible, noise is a better option than music which might distract from deep focus.
- Mountain_Skies 6y agoWonder how many people have access to a very low noise environment. Even at home with no one else here, during the day there's always some noise, be it the climate control system, a car driving by, someone mowing their lawn down the street, etc. It amazes me how silent things can be at 2am during the times of the year where climate control isn't necessary. I get so used to a low level of background noise that it is a noticeable experience when it is nearly silent.
- WrtCdEvrydy 6y agoYeah, this reminds me of all my time playing Mass Effect and Eve Online with friends which causes a fun relaxing memory :)
- z3t4 6y agoSomewhat related: for people with tinnitus issues it can be nice to cancel out the constant ear ring.
- mywacaday 6y agoI used to work in a noisy open plan office with multiple people around me on the same calls, it was very difficult to ignore 3/4 of a conversation so I started listen to a thunderstorm with heavy rain to block the noise/voices as white noise did nothing for me. Now that I work from home in an office on my own I still use the thunderstorm when I need to concentrate on one thing for a few hours. I think I've done some version of Pavlov's dog on myself.
- spaetzleesser 6y agoComing from Germany my belief is that Americans grow with a lot of noise like air conditioning, TVs constantly on and housing walls generally being very thin. So maybe they are used to that and take comfort in it. I personally hate white noise but a it seems a lot of Americans get nervous in absolute silence and look for something to fill in. Whenever I go back to Germany I am always surprised how quiet the houses of my siblings are. Just my non scientific theory.
- jt2190 6y agoYou may enjoy this episode of Radio Lab: “Musical Language”, which explores how sound stimulates the brain. https://www.wnycstudios.org/podcasts/radiolab/episodes/91512-musical-language https://www.wnycstudios.org/podcasts/radiolab/episodes/91512...
- Kosirich 6y agoI have a theory that people like those sort of white noise sounds due to plesant memories associated to them I think you are right. For me it's Star Trek TNG :)
- zimpenfish 6y ago> people like those sort of white noise sounds due to pleasant memories associated to them I prefer white noise to silence because it drowns out the tinnitus (which is bad enough that it's present even over normal TV volumes of quiet dialogue.) Actually, I prefer a bunch of the tinnitus stuff on MyNoise but same principle.
- eeZah7Ux 6y agoYour theory is plain wrong.
- eikenberry 6y agoI thought it was supposed to be related to the constant background noise of the mothers circulatory system during those first 10 months in the womb. That we come out with a good association with white noise from the get go.