HTDE: The Friendliest Sound in the World, with Olympic medalist Molly Seidel
Nov 27, 2024
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Mike Post, the iconic composer behind the 'Law & Order' theme, joins the conversation, sharing insights into sound design and friendly auditory experiences. The hosts discuss humorous strategies for avoiding startling pedestrians while running, including whimsical ideas like light-up shoes with sound. Post reflects on the unexpected origins of his memorable compositions and their cultural impact, blending laughter with the importance of sound nuances. Listeners also engage in a playful language experiment centered on inclusivity, highlighting the joy of thoughtful communication.
Olympic medalist Molly Seidel discusses how runners can signal their approach to avoid startling pedestrians on trails.
The podcast suggests creating pleasant auditory signals, like cheerful sounds, to enhance the experience for both runners and walkers.
Deep dives
Addressing the Fear of Scaring Others While Running
Many runners experience anxiety when passing individuals who are slower, often fearing that they might startle them. A listener shares her experiences, stating that she attempts to make noise, such as stomping or clearing her throat, before passing by, yet still finds that many people jump in surprise. This anxiety can be particularly pronounced on trails where runners are expected to be more vigilant, leading to uncomfortable encounters. The discussion raises the broader question of how runners can signal their approach in a friendly manner without causing alarm.
Seeking Solutions from an Olympic Runner
To tackle the issue of passing runners in a non-threatening way, the episode features Olympic bronze medalist Molly Seidel, who admits to having startled people herself. Molly shares her experiences and suggests that announcing her presence can often help, though she humorously notes the challenge of being considered a threat despite her small stature. The conversation also highlights the different running styles of elite athletes, suggesting that elite runners tend to be quieter, making it easier for them to sneak up on others unknowingly. This insight brings to light the shared experiences and challenges across various levels of running.
Creating Friendly Sounds for Runners
The podcast explores the idea of developing friendly sounds that runners can make while approaching others, with composer Mike Post contributing his musical expertise. Mike emphasizes the importance of choosing sounds that convey friendliness, such as birds chirping or the charming sound of a child’s tricycle bell. The goal is to create a pleasant auditory signal that could ease the anxiety of those being passed. Additionally, the humorous idea of using charm bracelets with bells or even euphoric sounds like laughter is proposed, blending functionality with creativity for a better running experience.
This week on How To Do Everything, a listener calls in asking how to avoid startling innocent pedestrians when she goes on runs. So Mike and Ian recruit the help of an Olympic marathoner and one of Hollywood's most iconic composers. Plus, an update from you (party people) on the "you guys" fast.
You can email your burning questions to howto@npr.org.
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How To Do Everything is hosted by Mike Danforth and Ian Chillag. It is produced by Heena Srivastava. Technical direction from Lorna White.