Unwanted Sound of Everything We Want, The by Garret Keizer

by Garret Keizer

Noise is usually defined as unwanted loud music from a neighbor, the honk of a taxicab, the roar of a supersonic jet. But as Garret Keizer illustrates in this probing examination, noise is as much about what we want as about what we seek to avoid. It has been a byproduct of human striving since ancient times even as it has become a significant cause of disease in our own. At heart, noise provides a key for understanding some of our most pressing issues, from social inequality to climate change.In a journey that leads us from the Tanzanian veldt to the streets of New York, Keizer deftly explores the political ramifications of noise, America's central role in a loud world, and the environmental sustainability of a quieter one. The result is a deeply satisfying book -- one guaranteed to change how we hear the world, and how we measure our own personal volume within it.

Genres: Nonfiction, Music, Sociology, Science, Unfinished, Politics, History

Hardcover

First published May 4, 2010

About the author

Garret Keizer is the author of eight books, the most recent of which are Getting Schooled and Privacy. A contributing editor of Harper's Magazine and a Guggenheim Fellow, he has written for Lapham's Quarterly, the Los Angeles Times, Mother Jones, The New Yorker, The New York Times, The Village Voice, and Virginia Quarterly Review, among other publications.

You can learn more about Keizer's work and also contact him at his website:

http://www.garretkeizer.com

The website of his current publisher is here:

http://us.macmillan.com/author/garret...

Reviews

[Kusaimamekirai · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I put down this book, my first thought was that this would be an excellent (insert holiday) present for my all night, bass thumping, not giving a flying f*ck of a neighbor. "The Unwanted Sound of Everything We Want" is about him. It's also about society at large and how racial, socioeconomic, and even gender differences play into noise pollution and our perception of what that even means.
The author presents some fascinating data about how for example, noise from airports predominately affect low income, Hispanic communities not by chance, but by systematic airport planning on placing them in areas with citizens unlikely to fight them.
Can you name any airports near wealthy enclaves?
Equally fascinating is how he traces the roots of noise back thousands of years and how for many, noise equals progress. Trains, planes, cars, and manufacturing are all noisy, however they are the quintessential symbols of progress. To complain about their noise and their effect on our lives is to be "weak" or against progress.
To be clear, the author is not against sound, but rather noise. The important distinction being that the former is something we can choose to let into our ears, while the latter is foisted upon us without our consent (like an annoying pop song that gets stuck in your head).
Ultimately the author seeks a balance between sound and noise (who wants to live in a completely silent world) and the best way to achieve that is through strong communities where people respect the spaces of others, and keep the techno music off after 8pm.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an excellent, thoughtful meditation on something virtually everyone can agree upon: painful and intrusive noise sucks. The politically aggressive bullying that typifies noise dominance is finally given a good lashing on these pages; which alone is gratifying enough to recommend the book. Stylistically, Garret Keizer sticks with his forte: the clever milieu of highbrow periodical wit. Perhaps the most resonant quality of the book is its ability to make the reader feel less alone in the world. Most of us tend to stoically (by our own estimation) tolerate a great deal of noise in our daily lives, convinced that the risks of confrontation outweigh the uncertain rewards of complaint. We also recognize, even if only by a tacit sense of fair play, that the rights of the noisemaker and the accidental ear overlap in uncomfortable ways. It's a rewarding experience to read through this exhaustive rumination on the subject. Even if it isn't necessarily going to make the world a quieter place, it's a good start.

There are several pages of notes the end of the book, adding substantially to its bulk. An electronic version or the paperback edition would probably be the more economical - and ecologically prudent - choice.

[Brian Willis · Rating 3 out of 5]

The world is inundated with noise. By noise, Keizer means that the sounds and bustle of unwanted audible and visual activity. While the book peters off towards the end, parts of it were fascinating and essential towards an understanding of modern life. When was the last time you were able to enjoy complete silence and focus? As I write this, I hear humming from my refrigerator, a thumping outside from a distant source, running cars, occasional voices from outside, and now the cry of the neighbor's baby. I can actually count 5-6 distinct and nearly simultaneous noises which are all vying for my attention as I write this review. This isa relatively quiet day.

Keizer documents an all too brief but useful history of sound vs. noise and even documents how one person's sound (John Coltrane's evolution in jazz, Bob Dylan's going electric) can be another person's noise (McCoy Tyner leaves his band, Pete Seeger wants to cut the cord). These things are true: you may like industrial or metal music and I may find it unlistenable noise pollution. However, when we force those things on others due to volume, we are imposing our will and our need for power onto others (no coincidence that the audible bump of loud car stereo systems is most prevalent in low income areas). While I felt the book could have been stronger, it certainly has food for thought and reasonable assertions. We are filling our world with sounds to assuage our loneliness and our vulnerability, and polluting our environment with noise (and activity). But our confidence and self assurance is most evident when we can sit in quiet or self contained sound and enjoy the things around us.

[notgettingenough]

My attention was drawn to this by this review


I understand that living inner city, as I do, means noise. But some of it is so offensive and unwarranted that it beggars belief. Sitting in the most beautiful garden restaurant at 8am for b/f. Yes, we are surrounded by roads and that means cars and THAT means offensive mechanical noise. But we can call that 'unavoidable' within our normal expectations of how to live. But when, at 8.01 in this ambient setting, a chap starts his job and it is blowing leaves from one spot to another with a leaf blower. I'm sorry, but this is unfuckingbelievable.

We have a busker who frequently begs outside our apartment building. Busker, even when dreadful, is one thing. Electrified and banging an appalling home made drum is quite another. As for the people who think they can take ghetto blasters down to the lake and invade everybody's space with them.

I'm looking forward to reading this.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was right up my alley; unwanted noise (according to the author an oxymoron) is an almost constant source of stress and irritation for me. If I were introduced to the person who invented the leaf-blower, for example, somebody might have to hold me back from throttling them. A balanced and cheerful look at a serious problem that is having a deleterious effect on our quality of life locally and globally. Very easy to read too.

[Chen Victor · Rating 2 out of 5]

Perhaps I'm being a bit too harsh on this book as a practitioner in the field...while the anecdotes and examples are interesting, the author takes way too long to make a point and meanders along too many tangents without a coherent structure. It reads like a very long and verbose rant against noise, which is disappointing because there were some good points (eg. the historical context and socio-economic aspects of noise exposure) buried under the prose. Could not finish it.

[Chris Trevino · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book. Would've rated at a 4, but there were many instances of sloppy editing where it wasn't clear what point the author was trying to make. Well researched, but occasionally too lofty in his rambling.

[Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

How do you make a book about “noise” sound as fantastic as it really is? I don’t know, but I know that “The Unwanted Sound of Everything We Want” is absolutely fantastic! It is literally a nonfiction novel about noise but believe me it’s fantastic!

The author has a unique ability to not just draw the annoyance of some noise, but to also point out the beauty of other noises. He strategically places noise adjectives throughout sentences that deftly paint a picture of each type of noise. The reader can feel the warmth of some noises discussed while simultaneously feeling the discomfort of other noises.

The author takes the title of his book and weaves it through the entire book. We want the speed and convenience of air travel, but the noise can be unbearable! We want green energy, but the modern day wind turbines cause many people to complain about the constant thump of their blades turning in the wind! The author even goes the opposite direction and shows how we may desire electric cars, but their lack of noise could propose a potential hazard for blind people who can’t hear the cars coming. He expertly shows that sometimes the lack of noise is just as bad as the abundance of noise.

The book shows how what is negative noise to some, is desirable noise to others! It shows how governments have used noise as a means of control in the past, and how both excessive noise and the absence of noise have been used in torture tactics! It also really goes all out recounting the history of noise and how our progress as a society has resulted in covering over natural noise with artificial noise, along with the health detriments that has produced in our society too.

Overall it’s an incredible book about noise. I don’t know how to convince someone that a book about noise could be good. I don’t really know how to make it sound interesting, but in truth it is quite memorable and thoroughly enjoyable. If you want to read a book with a unique topic and that you will be pleasantly surprised at how good it is, then grab this book! It’s literally about noise, but it’s also one of the top 2 books I have read so far this year!

[Sarah · Rating 1 out of 5]

Abandoned on page 24 of 260.

[Skyler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Would give this excellent book twenty stars if I could.

[Douglas Lord · Rating 5 out of 5]

Keizer (Help; The Enigma of Anger) notes that while no one thinks much about noise, we sure do prize our quiet. Noise could be defined as "unwanted sound," but when one really considers how much of it there is around, that subjective definition is silly. Is it the incessant ice cream truck bell? Noisy to us, but not to the kids who want ice cream. Noise is ever-present; as I wrote this, I was trying to tune out a nearby lawn mower, the murmurs coming out of a meeting in the back room, traffic noise, and the desperate, hoarse pleas of the prisoners I have locked in the coat closet. Keizer focuses on the social aspects of noise as a concept that has many meanings. It's about power and class-those who don't want noise near them (e.g., wealthy suburbanites) shunt it off on those who cannot fight back (e.g., urban poor who live near highways). It's also about economics because civilization goes nowhere fast without a hell of a lot of big, loud machines. So many aspects of social history are woven into this mix that it is a seemingly never-ending story. This book is great on at least three levels: it is well written, has energetic writing, and will challenge readers to think.

Find this review and others at Books for Dudes, the online reader's advisory column for men from Library Journal. Copyright Library Journal.

[Jim Carson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this book should be mandatory reading for all the world's noisemakers (capable of reading it). It gets you to think about noise in bigger ways. I liked the general thesis of noise representing what ails society and tracking false forms of progress.

There is some redundant philosophy throughout the book but I didn't find the anti-noise case overstated; just repeated for emphasis. One of my favorite sections contrasted the Sturgis motorcycle rally to sacred wilderness spots nearby. I was glad to see wind turbines in his coverage of dubious technologies and can't recall a major noise source that wasn't mentioned, though subwoofers deserved more scorn. I'd write a whole book about that belligerent brand of evil.

The author also admits that noise is OK and necessary in some contexts. He has a writing style that's easy to read yet sophisticated. A large part of the book ends with definitions and footnotes so it's not as long as it might appear at first.

Trivia: The book states that the first "gasoline" engine was invented in 1791, which struck me as a typo, but John Barber did make a crude turbine forerunner to it. The real racket started late in the next century.

[Tony · Rating 3 out of 5]

While comparatively better crafted than the previous book I read (Zero Decibels: The Quest for Absolute Silence by George Foy) this was nonetheless a challenge to complete as I lost momentum progressing through the details of each chapter.

I can't fault the author for doing his homework and presenting a nuanced exposition of what is and is not noise -- and why it matters historically, socially, politically and psychologically. Maybe I just lost interest due to the unexpected degree of interconnections, and it overwhelmed me.

Still, I recommend this to anyone interested in examining the other side of silence.

[Gerry LaFemina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Keizer is a terrific writer, a terrific researcher, wryly funny, and compassionate. This intriguing study into the nature of noise didn't compel to keep reading the way many of his books have; it did compel me to think about being quieter at times. Fusing history, memoir, sociological study, investigative journalism, and his unique perspective, Keizer's book on unwanted sounds is a much wanted addition to my library.

[Martin Cerjan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent book. I keep thinking about it as I move around in my daily routines. I liked the political lens the author employed to view sound in the world. I was surprised about wind turbines even though I had heard a bit about them making noise. This book stacks up well against the other books I have read about sound and silence.

[Deb · Rating 4 out of 5]

What is noise? What's noise for one person may not be noise for another (unless it gets over a certain decibel threshold). I love music, but when I don't like what's playing, it's noise to me.

This book is about the psychological, cultural and physiologic effects of noise, primarily noise generated by technological items human beings own.

I found it fascinating, and thoroughly enjoyed it.

[Vicky]

I recently heard the author interviewed on RadioWest and found so much of what he said to be true, especially the relationship between noise and civility and the notion of one's "own space". I would definitely recommend the interview on 5/3/10 on KUER.org. Very thought provoking.

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful food for thought. Well written. I like how the author does enjoy both loud things and quietness. Discussion about who gets to make what kinds of sounds where and who doesn't get to choose what goes in his or her ears. Where I end and you begin.

[Eric Hollister · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting and thorough book about noise, its impacts, and its economics. Some interesting stuff in here:
"Noise is political, because peace and quiet are forms of wealth, subject to the laws of supply and demand."

[IAMLEGION · Rating 2 out of 5]

Didn't finish completely. Interesting topic however.

[A · Rating 1 out of 5]

I thought this was going to be something completely different. Looking for science and it was sociology. Meh

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book triggered some extremely interesting discussions. I liked the tangents.

[Tracey]

363.74 22 - placed on hold 21 Jul
Interview with author on Diane Rhem show 30 Jun

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just haven't had time to finish this book, but enjoyed what I read--fascinating way of considering consumerism and waste.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

More episodic and less compelling than The Enigma of Anger or Help, but well written and a cogent social critique.

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kind of drifts from one noisy point to another in convincing the reader that noise sound can be bad just no one can agree on what is causes or which kind is bad.

[Anne · Rating 2 out of 5]

I often feel as if I am the only person bothered by so much noise, so this book was great find. I thought. It's a rather dry read about the history of noise. I skimmed it for the most part.

[Maureen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very informative historical chronicling of noise with the addition of "hearing" noise from multiple perspectives, from macro to micro.

[Millie · Rating 4 out of 5]

awesome. i found this to be super informative, well researched and, as someone who is sensitive to noise, very comforting.

[Camden Drash · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sound... yeah... ok ... Next