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Listen = To give one’s attention to a sound // Prestar atención a un sonido
How often do you listen to ambient sounds? Turn off music and electronics to the extent possible? Or perhaps head into what-we-used-to-call-wilderness where radio waves and other electronic signals do not reach?
For city dwellers, this can be a challenge. Our devices are primed to ping . Plus, there’s a plethora of streaming options and seemingly must-see-tv as we gluttonously feed upon the 500 channels and then some.
2022’s World Listening Day (July 18) asked us to “listen across boundaries.” This brings up fond memories of our old Zenith Royal Trans-Oceanic shortwave radio and the ever-changing options depending on climate conditions. 50 years later we have Radio Garden and Radio Paradise, two personal faves.
Earlier this year Las Vegas’ public radio station KNPR invited listeners to complete a fairly lengthy survey about the practicalities of audio listening / media consumption. 99% of the way I listen to local radio stations is by chance when I am in the car.
As to nearby natural and cultural soundscapes, Las Vegas is a world yet to be explored via soundwalks, though that could be on the agenda if there is interest.
Today I think ‘listening across boundaries’ is the search for third spaces / third places – like the library, market, or dog park – in which conversation with other humans and listening in particular – can expand my horizons. We don’t know what we don’t know until someone else expounds or inquires about that which is in our blind spot.
I believe we have the capacity to be active listeners – enjoying the soundwalk or podcast or symphony or soundscape. We can be present in this most curious of senses.
Stray Notes
- We hear you. And if we do not hear you, we would like to. // Te escuchamos. Y si no te escuchamos, nos gustaría hacerlo.
- Listen to this story. // Escucha esta historia.
- Please listen to this entire message. // Por favor, escucha este mensaje completo.
- Listening to the sounds you don’t want to hear. // Escucha los sonidos que no quieres oír.
Questions // Preguntas
- What is a favorite sound you have heard today? // ¿Cuál es un sonido favorito que has escuchado hoy?
- What do you listen to when you want to be surprised? // Qué escuchas cuando quieres que te sorprendan?
- What did you hear? // ¿Qué escuchaste?
- What was playing? // ¿Qué estaba sonando?
- Is my phone listening to me? // ¿Me está escuchando mi teléfono?
Translating: What do you listen to when you want to be surprised?
German: Was hörst du, wenn du überrascht werden willst?
Spanish: ¿Qué escuchas cuando quieres que te sorprendan?
Listening Bingo
Ear – here – hearing –listen – listening –playback – playback speed – record – sound – sound walk
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