4 ms·

The poetic science of how cicadas sing

46 points by tintinnabula 2y ago

mrbluecoat 2y ago
Props to those who hear cicadas and think "what a beautiful song of poetry". I'm in camp #2: > such a constant yelling noise as made the woods ring of them, and ready to deafen the hearers https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=DFJDfzX-chM https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=DFJDfzX-chM
- Swizec 2y ago
  To me cicadas sound like carefree mediterranean summer nights at the seaside. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=keyFWfDexr0 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=keyFWfDexr0
  - contingencies 2y ago
    Totally. "Carefree" in the sense that you've developed tinnitus, are still high on amphetamines 5 hours after the club closed, but somehow don't mind passing out on the beach because the whole idea of backtracking to where you actually stayed last night seems overwhelmingly difficult...
  - TacticalCoder 2y ago
    They can sing mostly all day long, not just in the evening. I love them. I lived in a rural area on the mediterannean sea side: I'd drive my daughter to school through the vineyards. Amazing memories. I miss them and as soon as I go back and hear them I'm thinking: "I missed you". To me cicadas represent that place and it's a very special place to me.
    - heresie-dabord 2y ago
      > it's a very special place to me. It's a special place to me too now just from the description!
- kragen 2y ago
  it may depend on which species you are listening to some cicadas are much less euphonious than others
- codelikeawolf 2y ago
  We're moving from Portland back to Illinois (where my wife and I spent most of our lives), and the schedule happens to work out that we'll be rolling into town smack dab in the middle of cicadageddon. Part of me wonders if I try to look at cicadas through the lens of science or learn to appreciate their "song of poetry", it will be a little more bearable. But deep down I know that any curiosity or interest I try to nurture is going to go right down the toilet as soon as one of those big dumb bastards flies right into my face. Edit: grammar

46 points by tintinnabula 2y ago

Props to those who hear cicadas and think "what a beautiful song of poetry". I'm in camp #2: > such a constant yelling noise as made the woods ring of them, and ready to deafen the hearers https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=DFJDfzX-chM https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=DFJDfzX-chM

Swizec 2y ago
To me cicadas sound like carefree mediterranean summer nights at the seaside. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=keyFWfDexr0 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=keyFWfDexr0
- contingencies 2y ago
  Totally. "Carefree" in the sense that you've developed tinnitus, are still high on amphetamines 5 hours after the club closed, but somehow don't mind passing out on the beach because the whole idea of backtracking to where you actually stayed last night seems overwhelmingly difficult...
- TacticalCoder 2y ago
  They can sing mostly all day long, not just in the evening. I love them. I lived in a rural area on the mediterannean sea side: I'd drive my daughter to school through the vineyards. Amazing memories. I miss them and as soon as I go back and hear them I'm thinking: "I missed you". To me cicadas represent that place and it's a very special place to me.
  - heresie-dabord 2y ago
    > it's a very special place to me. It's a special place to me too now just from the description!
kragen 2y ago
it may depend on which species you are listening to some cicadas are much less euphonious than others
codelikeawolf 2y ago
We're moving from Portland back to Illinois (where my wife and I spent most of our lives), and the schedule happens to work out that we'll be rolling into town smack dab in the middle of cicadageddon. Part of me wonders if I try to look at cicadas through the lens of science or learn to appreciate their "song of poetry", it will be a little more bearable. But deep down I know that any curiosity or interest I try to nurture is going to go right down the toilet as soon as one of those big dumb bastards flies right into my face. Edit: grammar