"It was not always like this. In the beginning, the silence was profane and the noise was sacred. For most premodern human beings, ordinary life was altogether too quiet. Village life followed the recurring cycle of the seasons. Nothing much interrupted the sounds of rushing streams, waves breaking on the shore, spring rains, wind whistling through the trees, falling snow, the plowing of fields, and the planting of seeds."
From the book Sightings by Sam Keen.
JERICHO, VT – The town of Jericho has set upon creating an ambitious noise ordinance. New ordinance to schedule periods of complete silence in town.
The expected benefits (of silence) citizens can
expect are lower blood pressure, a boost to the immune system, an improved rate of new
brain cell growth, lower blood cortisol, adrenaline, and tension, and reduced
plaque formation in arteries. Citizens and visitors to Jericho alike may also
finally find time to hear themselves think.
Expected improvements from this endeavor include:
Creativity. Free-roaming thoughts may find
innovative solutions to dirt vs pavement and other Jericho road concerns – thus
reducing town meeting day by half.
Awareness. Self-awareness will lead to a better appreciation of the natural world around us including the new native
wildflower garden near the Jericho store, and the Jericho Country Store
Creemees dripping down our chins.
Reflection. After a bit of meditation in
silence, we might mend some relationships with our friends and neighbors (you
know the ones – boundary line disputes, dog poop in a bag left on the ground,
political divide on FPF…)
Sensitivity to other life. Recognition of life
other than human life and its interconnectedness to our lives will suddenly
become more apparent and key to our own success. Insects will become our
friends –even the buzzing ones. Native plants will regain our interest and love.
Sleep. Restful, REM, restorative,
energizing, quality sleep.
Students gain contemplative reflection - think about the meaning of their lessons – the deeper meaning
and value of the lessons. Opportunity for careful and intentional communication
along with practicing focus and self-control.
Observation. Listening to our own bodies'
needs and acting in ways that are healing and self-sustaining.
Suggestions to prepare for these planned moments
of silence.
Invite a friend or go
solo for a walk outside in nature in mutual silence. Unplug - Join a Families in Nature guided walk at a
local trail.
Stay in bed an extra
5 minutes – gather a sense of appreciation of free quiet peaceful moments.
Practice mindfulness
– living in the moment: Breath deeply. Focus on your breath to quiet your
mind.
Use self-reflection
to make meaning of life. Practice deep listening
to different perspectives.
Stop, look, and
listen. Make room for silence. As unexpected problems, uncomfortable
situations, and crammed schedules scream at you, recall your intention to stop,
look, and listen, then act. Remember the
art of conversation is in the pauses in between. Note to self, reread the
previous line daily.
Be Prepared: SILENCE
IS LOUD at first.
Proposed Jericho Noise Ordinance
The town of Jericho select board proposes to create a town noise ordinance for Noise Control as follows.
In consideration of citizens' well-being, in order
to balance the vitality of village life as well as prevent hearing loss,
attention deficit, sleep loss, and a general reduction in quality of life the
town of Jericho will protect the public tranquility.
Definitions
(a) Date and Times of COMPLETE QUIET in Jericho will be announced quarterly for a minimum of six minutes per session at a rate of three sessions per month or more as deemed necessary by the electorate at the town meeting each March.
Evidence
of violation
A noise disturbance (during an announced quiet time) is defined as noise or disturbance of such magnitude as to be plainly audible outside of any building or in another dwelling or in the street or public way and shall be deemed a violation of this chapter.
A noise disturbance (during an announced quiet time) is defined as noise or disturbance of such magnitude as to be plainly audible outside of any building or in another dwelling or in the street or public way and shall be deemed a violation of this chapter.
Sound
Dampening measures
As many sound causes cannot easily be turned off and then back on without disrupting commerce, the town will take action to muffle all sources of noise at its disposal.
As many sound causes cannot easily be turned off and then back on without disrupting commerce, the town will take action to muffle all sources of noise at its disposal.
(a) Street traffic: Roads (to be) permanently
covered with open-cell foam that will have the combined benefit of silencing
traffic and slowing it down.
Until applied to sidewalks, walkers should wear
moccasins, and run barefoot.
(b) Pamphlets to be distributed: Slogans to include, "Promote Silence for better hearing." "What time is (Jericho) Quiet (this week)?" And my favorite,
(c.) Lawn Mowers: Only electric lawnmowers are allowed during quiet time.
(d) Leaf blowers: Buyback program: Swap leaf blowers for nearly silent running, exercise functioning, and rakes. OR just stop raking leaves and leave them where they fall for improved soil.
(e) Firing Range: National Guard to place mufflers on cannons, utilize air propulsion, and shoot foam projectiles during quiet times.
(f) Wood splitters must cover the hand splitter
with a cloth. Mechanical splitters must be designed to absorb the thud and be
pneumatically powered.
(g) Church bells must be replaced with sign-language interpreters.
(h) Cell phone ring tones: Voice AND Texting are not allowed during quiet times. Exceptions for true emergencies:
(i) To help find ourselves: Turn off the TV, Radio,
Internet, Social Media, Phones, take the buds out of your ears.
(j) Emergency vehicles will transition from high pitch sirens to alternating high and low two-tone signals like those used in many European countries.
The writer(s) of this ordinance realize that the greater number of sounds addressed, the more subtle ones will announce themselves. Falling rain, snow, leaves even a bird landing on a branch may become noticeable. One’s breath, footsteps, and heartbeat may seem disruptive. Peepers will go from a comfortable lullaby to a drumming rock concert.
Small sounds heard might change many of our
behaviors as well as remind us of the magnitude and disturbance of noise in our
lives. Birds singing may draw us to pull up lawn chairs and to actually spend outdoor home time - sit in our own
backyards, sip lemonade on our front porches, and visit with passerby neighbors.
By the periodic tasting of quiet, resourceful
individuals may be inspired to find a way to counteract or eliminate a given
noise even outside of the official quiet times. For example, some may decide to
reduce their lawn size thereby reducing lawn mowing noise and the labor to mow.
Some may discover that leaves left in place will magically decompose by the
time plants turn green in the spring. Chainsaw activity might be contained in a
segregated noise zone, as are most airports.
Greater self-knowledge, clarity of thinking, and awareness of life and
beauty around us, in exchange for a few moments of silence, seem like a fair
bargain. When we do have the sound turned on, perhaps we
will do a better job of listening to each other and to the natural sounds of
our world. Perhaps we will stop, look, and listen with more forbearance, and fortitude.
Perhaps we will hear our own inner voice. The repercussions of quiet may be as
vast as those of man-made noise, only for the better of us all. We may meet ourselves, find inner peace, and
realize our desires are simple and few. We may break away from the noise of the
world and hear the true essence of the meaning and values of our lives.
Notice of future ordinance under consideration, “Darken Jericho for dark skies”. Release
the stars and your dreams! Watch for it in the upcoming Jericho News, from Bernie
Paquette.
Jericho Weather News: Spring is in a coma; however, she is slowly recovering and soon will be awake. Watch and listen to her colorful birthing and joyous celebratory singing.
Green Noise
I can’t hear myself think
for all the quiet that abounds
in this forestland
that once was all around
(the old version of surround sound).
No cars, planes, leaf blowers, lawnmowers
those distractions that amass into a deafening roar
jarring my brain into distraction, a jumble of misfires
as my mind tries to shout its way to calm reasoning.
City sounds rattle my brain
like a percussion instrument.
What is the cure?
Moments of quiet restoration. But from where?
How much green noise to calm my thinking?
What will submerge man’s clanging and banging?
A heavy downpour of rain
can drown it all out.
Perhaps too, a babbling stream,
a serenading river
even bubbles,
percolating up through decaying vegetation
in murky shallow pools.
Green sounds soothe my mind
like fingers on a harp.
No longer competing with irregular sounds
my blaring thoughts burst asunder
for all the quiet that now I find
in this narrow forest trail
bounded by meadow on one side,
by marsh and vernal pools on the other.
Not,
until I hear myself think anew -
for all the quiet that surrounds
that I begin to hear for true.
A female Osprey whistles like a kettle
taken rapidly off the stove.
Does she know I (humankind) may bring spurious sounds
that may burst the dam
of nature’s acoustic space
harming the natural soundscape?
for all the quiet that abounds
in this forestland
that once was all around
(the old version of surround sound).
No cars, planes, leaf blowers, lawnmowers
those distractions that amass into a deafening roar
jarring my brain into distraction, a jumble of misfires
as my mind tries to shout its way to calm reasoning.
City sounds rattle my brain
like a percussion instrument.
What is the cure?
Moments of quiet restoration. But from where?
How much green noise to calm my thinking?
What will submerge man’s clanging and banging?
A heavy downpour of rain
can drown it all out.
Perhaps too, a babbling stream,
a serenading river
even bubbles,
percolating up through decaying vegetation
in murky shallow pools.
Green sounds soothe my mind
like fingers on a harp.
No longer competing with irregular sounds
my blaring thoughts burst asunder
for all the quiet that now I find
in this narrow forest trail
bounded by meadow on one side,
by marsh and vernal pools on the other.
Not,
until I hear myself think anew -
for all the quiet that surrounds
that I begin to hear for true.
A female Osprey whistles like a kettle
taken rapidly off the stove.
Does she know I (humankind) may bring spurious sounds
that may burst the dam
of nature’s acoustic space
harming the natural soundscape?
Red-winged blackbirds serenade spring.
Chickadees accompany me on my walk
like me, whistling softly in self-absorption.
Wood ducks disturbed, spook me
with the sudden nearby flapping
of wispy wings against the,
until now, still waterway.
Trees creak at their tall knees.
Gravel crackles under my feet.
I hear my own breath,
as I inhale the fragrance of hemlock and pine,
can hear even the sticky sap flow
and the wind playing tones of violin.
I could not hear myself think
until I heard,
even before I observed,
a pastel-colored butterfly
glide by -
a quiet bonafide
sound.
Bernie Paquette
April 2019
April 2020 update from https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-020-00965-x
Data from a seismometer at the observatory show that measures to curb the spread of COVID-19 in Brussels caused human-induced seismic noise to fall by about one-third, says Lecocq.
Comments:
I for one appreciate satire. M.C. Jericho
Here is a helpful link explaining the proposed noise ordinance http://bfy.tw/7WE
W.S.A. Jericho
Kudos to Bernie Paquette for his well-written piece. So well written, in fact, some have been duped into believing it's NOT satire. If you read the whole thing, there are obvious clues (foam on the roads, moccasins on the sidewalks while walking). Thanks for the laugh Bernie! N.E. Jericho
I thought Bernie Paquette's post on May 17, was pretty amusing. It's satire - to my knowledge the town has no plans, at this time, to force you to stay in bed an extra five minutes in the morning. Click through to Bernie's page for entertaining reading: Locally sourced, Organic Jericho Satire for fun with a hint of serious thought for consideration.
V.M. Underhill
"Locally Sourced, Organic Jericho Satire for fun with a hint of serious thought for consideration."
Just a hint.
Thanks, Bernie. You done good.
Some folks get so excited. It's almost as much fun watching them as reading the piece. Keep it coming. P.B.
Resources used for this posting:
The Year of Silence (short story from Ecotone)
One Square Inch project (A sanctuary for silence at Olympic National Park).
Quiet Parks International
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-moment-youth/201312/the-importance-silence-in-noisy-world (Foster self-reflection in teens)
https://kineticsnoise.com/industrial/noise_ordinance.html (Definition, and various city ordinances)
Bernie,
ReplyDeleteDid you know that S-I-L-E-N-T anagrams to L-I-S-T-E-N?
Pretty cool, huh?
Sabina