Naked Science Forum
General Science => General Science => Topic started by: neilep on 20/08/2012 11:13:39
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Dearest Repetitivenoiseologists,
As a sheepy I of course luff to make repetitive noises. Repetitive noises are all I think about. From the moment I awake to the time I go to bed repetitive noises monopolise my every waking moment. So, ewe can imagine my surprise when lo and behold I read that repetitive noises can be annoying !..LOL...yes...unbelievable I know !!.....almost ridiculous in the extreme !!....I remain aghast at this epiphany !
Look, here I am being aghast !
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Definitive Proof Of Me Being Aghast Earlier Today.
There’s no disputing how aghast I am............. however........... as a firm believer in empirical study I snuk into my neighbours house at 3am this morning and he obligingly allowed me to restrain and sedate him. No protestation was offered as the sedative took hold ceasing the obvious excitement of his waving arms and legs and screams of enthusiastic joy ! As he came round from his peaceful slumber it was obvious he was content to participate as no objection was seen or heard from his taped mouth and narcotized limbs. As I had earlier consumed a preparation of beans, cabbage, eggs, garlic and the whole spectrum of the brassica family....I thought I’d enhance my experiment by adding an olfactory factor too. With my willing neighbour in his acquiescent posture I commenced to flatulate and resound just inches from his nasal cavity for the next three hours at ten second intervals.
Well !!...all I can say is that what I originally read is nonsensical !!......after three hours my neighbour demonstrated what can only be described as a catatonic display of joy !....despite the sedative and muscle relaxant he seemed very nonchalant and not irritated at all. No signs of aggravation whatsoever....so...no luck there !!
Is my neighbour unusual ? or are repeating noises really quite annoying ?...if so....why so ?
whajafink ?
hugs and shmishes
mwah mwah mwah
Neil
Executive Officer In Charge Of Asking The Above kweschun
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Dear Sheepy, as an ovine, you will be expert in repetitive sounds like baaa and mehhh so I thought ewe would know the answer… It is all about context.
A sound you want to hear will seldom become annoying, whereas noise (unwanted sound) you don’t want to hear will becoming annoying, particularly if it is repetitive.
For example if one of your barns is taken over by ravers who install a big sound system the people dancing the night away will not find the repetitive beats annoying, whilst the people in the village a mile away might find it very annoying, despite it being much quieter. However, I think it is the noise in general rather than its repetitive nature that causes the problem…
Another example is noise from alarms. These can be very annoying for two reasons, firstly, the “tonal” nature of the noise carries further and is more easily distinguished than wide spectrum (e.g. engine) noise and secondly because they generally go off intermittently people can rapidly become sensitized to the noise. Hearing is not just about the sounds that the ear passes to the brain, it is about how that signal is processed and interpreted in the brain and this can irrational. Intermittent noise can result in (sub conscious) thoughts of “Thank goodness that alarm has stopped, I can now relax… OH NO it has started again… Thank goodness that alarm has stopped, I can now relax………. OH NO it has started again… Thank goodness that alarm has stopped, I can now relax…… OH NO it has started again… Thank goodness that alarm has stopped, I can now relax……………….. OH NO it has started again… Thank goodness that alarm has stopped, I can now relax… OH NO it has started again…” which would drive anyone mad…
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Dear Sheepy, as an ovine, you will be expert in repetitive sounds like baaa and mehhh so I thought ewe would know the answer… It is all about context.
A sound you want to hear will seldom become annoying, whereas noise (unwanted sound) you don’t want to hear will becoming annoying, particularly if it is repetitive.
For example if one of your barns is taken over by ravers who install a big sound system the people dancing the night away will not find the repetitive beats annoying, whilst the people in the village a mile away might find it very annoying, despite it being much quieter. However, I think it is the noise in general rather than its repetitive nature that causes the problem…
Another example is noise from alarms. These can be very annoying for two reasons, firstly, the “tonal” nature of the noise carries further and is more easily distinguished than wide spectrum (e.g. engine) noise and secondly because they generally go off intermittently people can rapidly become sensitized to the noise. Hearing is not just about the sounds that the ear passes to the brain, it is about how that signal is processed and interpreted in the brain and this can irrational. Intermittent noise can result in (sub conscious) thoughts of “Thank goodness that alarm has stopped, I can now relax… OH NO it has started again… Thank goodness that alarm has stopped, I can now relax………. OH NO it has started again… Thank goodness that alarm has stopped, I can now relax…… OH NO it has started again… Thank goodness that alarm has stopped, I can now relax……………….. OH NO it has started again… Thank goodness that alarm has stopped, I can now relax… OH NO it has started again…” which would drive anyone mad…
Thank ewe Mazurka
Admittedly I too am responsible for raving it with my fellow ovine(s) and have been subject to many a complaint from the local gentry.
I absolutely see your excellent point regarding the type of noise and whether the noise is welcomed or not. I can imagine alarms are intentionally annoying for the very reason that they "alarm" ewe for the specific purpose to agitate.
I like the idea of my subconscious mind working in auto pilot. It means I need do little manual thinking myself ! [;)]
Thank ewe again for your great response.