The Unwanted Sound of Everything We Want: A Book About Noise [Hardcover]

Garret Keizer (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 4, 2010

Noise is usually defined as unwanted sound: 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.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Examining noise as a social barometer of sorts, this book covers a wide spectrum, from revolution to religion. The author neatly handles a symphony of facts and ideas, offering frequent summations like "The history of noise abatement is to a large degree about dividing space into noisy and quiet areas" and "The combination of flatness and proximity to water complicates as well as exacerbates certain problems of noise" that demonstrate his passion for the subject. A sophisticated thread woven through the many genres and locales reveals not only subtle sonic connections but also the author's Achilles' heel. Addressing the importance of human cooperation over selfishness and isolation, Keizer offers that people "need to love... their backyards with the same particularity as they love their own children - not to the total exclusion of other children, which would ultimately hurt their own children, but with the passion and partiality that are of the nature of love." This is but one of a cacophony of platitudes that the book falls victim to so that by the end, an unquestionably important perspective is smothered under a lot of preaching.
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From Booklist

Like Edward Tenner’s Why Things Bite Back: The Revenge of Unintended Consequences (1996), this engaging book explores the unforeseen (and sometimes unwanted) side effects of our inventive natures. We usually use the word noise as a pejorative, a term denoting unwanted sound: somebody’s loud music, a blaring car alarm, the din from a nearby airport. But, as Keizer points out, noise is often—perhaps even usually—a product of human achievement, invention, or ambition. In broad terms, you can’t have civilization without noise. You can’t have construction without it, or some forms of entertainment, or mass transit. The author explores noise from a number of angles, touching on what he calls the logic of the loud (“my noise is my right,” says the noisemaker) and the curious fact that the phrase “making noise” is now an anachronism (because most noise is automatic these days, produced by machines). An enlightening look at an issue most of us ignore. --David Pitt

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 400 pages
• Publisher: PublicAffairs; 1ST edition (May 4, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1586485520
• ISBN-13: 978-1586485528
• Product Dimensions: 6.1 x 1.3 x 9.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #759,866 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 29 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars The Converted Need Preachers Too May 24, 2010

By Kelly Cooper VINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover

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.

18 of 20 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars An important book May 15, 2010

By waitingtoderail

Format:Hardcover

This review is based on an advance reading copy.

Garret Keizer has written an important book. I don't mean it's particularly well-written - I think it could have been about thirty pages shorter. No, what I mean is, he's given some voice to those who, by the very nature of their cause, can't and won't be loud about it without appearing hypocritical.

Noise is a "weak" issue, Keizer says, because it affects mainly the weak. True, we can't all afford to build soundproofed rooms like one wealthy writer did, as described in the book. But I say it's a weak issue because people aren't clamoring to complain to officials and making it known that this is an issue they will vote on. People have to make a little noise to reduce it.

Keizer does a good job in describing the history of "noise" (as opposed to sound), and even touches a bit on how one person's noise is another person's pleasant sound when describing the "battle" between Sturgis bikers and Native Americans and with a few community members in Massachusetts versus the larger community's desire to hold a festival complete with music. I was glad to see that.

I appreciated the timeline of noise history, glossary, and list of organizations that do try to get noise reduced. He also gives a "personal noise code" which I felt was a little much. Suggestions for how to reduce noise are appreciated, but couching it in the guise of personal affirmations rubbed me the wrong way.

A thorough bibliography is included, and although the advanced reading copy didn't include one, the publisher assures us there will be an index.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent work August 19, 2010

By Anonymous

Format:Hardcover

The subject is very important to me and one not often discussed intelligently; discussion too often degenerates into defensive posturing. The subject should be very important to everyone, in my opinion. I heard this author interviewed on the University of Illinois' public radio station with host David Inge, an excellent interview, and was struck by the level of articulate, even eloquent, discussion on this topic. I own the book and am buying another copy. One other reviewer described it as a "thoughtful meditation" and I think that is a good description. It is also informed and informative, wise, philosophical, scientific, interesting, and useful. Highly recommend.