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The sound of a running refrigerator is one of those sounds found in most homes and can be a source of constant distraction, whether this distraction takes place

by ajcarpy2005 12y ago

The sound of a running refrigerator is one of those sounds found in most homes and can be a source of constant distraction, whether this distraction takes place below conscious recognition or not. I feel that silence is especially beneficial for (and sought out by) people who have a lot of divergent ideas or thoughts which they 'need to' converge and solidify into a more emergent and connected whole. Artistic people would be one simple example but also anyone who has done a great deal of autodidactic study and then wants to turn that into a more refined versions of internalized information... EDIT: There are of course ways to dampen the sounds in a home or other building, namely, sound-absorbing foam which can be placed on walls or insulation inside of the walls.

personlurking 12y ago
I am guilty of trying to teach myself many things, with varying degrees of success. I'd also say that I have divergent ideas (and theories) and that you're right on about that. In fact, if I had to point to a single best reason for preferring silence, it's this.
ulisesrmzroche 12y ago
If it's not conscious, it isn't a distraction. Also, not all artists work in quiet rooms. For example, Basquiat had the news on, music, movies, etc while painting and Stephen gave up on looking for a quiet room and so wrote Carrie with a desk in the living room and two small children to help take care of. There is no connection between thought and silence except in folklore, really.
- ajcarpy2005 12y ago
  As for your point about noises which do not generate a conscious thought...are you saying that an unconscious thought cannot be a 'distraction' in the sense that it is wasting precious resources in the mind?
a3n 12y ago
I've been in a few houses where all the utilities including water were turned off. No humming, no creaking, nothing. Houses are not normally that silent, and that kind of silence disturbs me.
- ajcarpy2005 12y ago
  In times when the power has gone out and all the running appliances turned off...deep freeze, refrigerator, computers, TV...it is a degree of silence that surprised me. I don't normally realize how much noise there is.

personlurking 12y ago

I am guilty of trying to teach myself many things, with varying degrees of success. I'd also say that I have divergent ideas (and theories) and that you're right on about that. In fact, if I had to point to a single best reason for preferring silence, it's this.

ulisesrmzroche 12y ago

If it's not conscious, it isn't a distraction. Also, not all artists work in quiet rooms. For example, Basquiat had the news on, music, movies, etc while painting and Stephen gave up on looking for a quiet room and so wrote Carrie with a desk in the living room and two small children to help take care of. There is no connection between thought and silence except in folklore, really.

ajcarpy2005 12y ago
As for your point about noises which do not generate a conscious thought...are you saying that an unconscious thought cannot be a 'distraction' in the sense that it is wasting precious resources in the mind?

a3n 12y ago

I've been in a few houses where all the utilities including water were turned off. No humming, no creaking, nothing. Houses are not normally that silent, and that kind of silence disturbs me.

ajcarpy2005 12y ago
In times when the power has gone out and all the running appliances turned off...deep freeze, refrigerator, computers, TV...it is a degree of silence that surprised me. I don't normally realize how much noise there is.