Big Ben's temporary silence represents the passing of time and decision-making in British culture.
The constant noise in the digitally connected world can have negative effects on attention, focus, sleep, and mood.
Deep dives
The Disappearing Sounds of the Past
The podcast discusses the sounds that have become rare in modern times, such as horses clapping by pulling carriages, the sound of a dial tone on a wall phone, and the dot matrix printer. It explores how these sounds, once taken for granted, are disappearing and how they evoke nostalgia.
Big Ben's Silence and the Impact on London Life
The podcast delves into the history of Big Ben, emphasizing that it's not just a clock or a tower, but a bell. It highlights the significant impact of Big Ben's temporary silence for renovations and how it symbolizes the passing of time and decision-making in British culture.
The Impact of Sound in Our Lives
The podcast examines the effects of constant noise and the lack of true silence in today's digitally connected world. It explores the potential biological consequences, such as difficulties with attention, focus, sleep, and mood. It also discusses how people seek out silence and tranquility through mindfulness practices and ASMR (autonomous sensory meridian response) videos.
When was the last time you heard a dial-up modem? A dot matrix printer? A CD dropping into its plastic tray? Did you know it would be the last time? We talk to Rick Adams, a British reporter, about the impact of Big Ben being silenced for repairs next year and Madeline Ashby, a futurist, who has some pretty wild ideas of what sounds we’re about to lose... and have already lost but haven’t realized it yet.