The power of sound to transform lives and create an impact, as discovered by musician Bernie Krause.
The urgent need to protect and preserve habitats to maintain healthy ecosystems and vibrant soundscapes.
Deep dives
The Power of Sound to Transform Lives
Sound has the ability to transform lives and create a deep impact. Burney Kraus, a renowned music producer, discovered the power of sound when he encountered the magic of nature's sounds in the redwoods. These sounds brought him a sense of tranquility and prompted him to leave the music business and chase the beauty of natural sounds. Burney's recordings of nature led him to develop the concept of an acoustic niche, where different species in an ecosystem evolve to make sounds that coexist harmoniously. However, he also witnessed the devastation caused by human-generated noise, which disrupts the natural balance and silences habitats. Burney believes that humans need to listen attentively and be in tune with the rest of the creature chorus to restore harmony.
The Fragility of Sound and the Loss of Biodiversity
Burney Kraus's recordings and observations reveal how human activities, such as jets flying over ecosystems, disrupt the delicate balance of sound in nature. The intrusion of loud noises can cause animals to lose their synchronization, making them vulnerable to predators and threatening their populations. Burney's work shows that more than half of the habitats he has recorded no longer exist or have become unrecognizable due to human-induced changes. The disappearance of these habitats is leading to a loss of biodiversity and a disruption of the orchestra of sounds in natural environments. Burney's experiences highlight the urgent need to protect and preserve habitats to maintain the thriving soundscapes that indicate a healthy ecosystem.
Reconnecting with Nature's Sounds
The concept of sadagé, a Portuguese term for a nostalgic longing, captures the emotions many people are experiencing during the COVID-19 pandemic. As people globally are forced into stillness and quietude, they are developing a newfound appreciation for the everyday sounds of life. The recordings submitted by listeners before the pandemic, capturing sounds such as train commutes and cafes, now hold a profound emotional significance. This moment of reflection and an understanding of the difference between noise and sound may help humans reconnect with the natural world. By actively listening to and appreciating the sounds around them, individuals can find a path to reintegrate into the harmony of the creature chorus.
The Call for Stillness and Listening
Burney Kraus emphasizes the importance of embracing stillness and quietness as a means to truly hear and appreciate the world around us. He suggests that humans need to let go of the idea of being separate from nature. By quieting the noise we generate and actively listening to the sounds of nature, we can deepen our understanding of the interconnectedness of all living creatures. Burney reminds us that the absence of human-generated noise during the pandemic has allowed us to experience the world through a different lens. Through intentional listening and attunement, it is possible to find harmony with the rest of the natural world and play our part in the universal symphony of sounds.
Bernie Krause was a successful musician as a young man, playing with rock stars like Jim Morrison and George Harrison in the 1960s and '70s. But then one day, Bernie heard a sound unlike anything he'd ever encountered and it completely overtook his life. He quit the music business to pursue it and has spent the last 50 years following it all over the earth. And what he's heard raises this question: what can we learn about ourselves and the world around us if we quiet down and listen? | To learn more about this episode, subscribe to our newsletter. Click here to learn more about NPR sponsors.
