Simple Living

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This is a place to discuss simple living in all it's forms. Some may live a different life to you & that's okay, everyone is welcome here. Please keep it civil, we're all here for a good time.

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Enjoy the Silence: Your life is not a movie, so stop soundtracking it 24/7 (www.zensounds.de)

submitted 3 days ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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Cross-posted from "Enjoy the Silence: Your life is not a movie, so stop soundtracking it 24/7" by @[email protected] in [email protected]

The composer John Cage told us to “not discriminate against sounds.”

He challenged us to become interested in what we usually perceive as noise and incorporated it into his compositions. Actually he said that the main difference between experimental and non-experimental music is the inclusion of noise.

Cage didn’t own a smartphone. He didn’t constantly stream music.

In the age of WiFi and Bluetooth speakers, we seem to believe that every activity in life needs an idealized, artificial soundtrack, whether it’s working or unwinding, running or relaxing.

Tech corporations have instilled and nurtured that belief in us. Their aim is to “maximize engagement”. The longer we listen, the more indispensable they become – and the more profit they make.

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[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 day ago

I very rarely listen to music. Maybe I'm just weird

[–] [email protected] 4 points 3 days ago (1 children)

About the only time I can enjoy quiet is outside with birds & wind to mask my tinnitus. Inside, it's just E^eeeeeeeeeeeeeee^. So I keep background instrumental music playing most of the time.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 day ago

I can relate, but luckily I got used to it :) I can sit in silent meditation without issues nowadays. I hope your situation improves, I know your pain