Six Pixels of Separation Podcast

SPOS #988 – Julian Treasure On Listening, Sounds And Superpowers

5 snips
Jun 15, 2025
Julian Treasure, a renowned author and founder of The Sound Agency, emphasizes the crucial difference between hearing and listening. He argues for reviving listening as a vital skill, alongside discussing the adverse effects of noise and modern distractions on our well-being. The conversation dives into the implications of AI in music, the risks of technology isolating us from natural sounds, and the rising importance of conscious listening to foster understanding in polarized times. His initiative, The Listening Society, aims to cultivate this essential skill in communities.
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INSIGHT

City Noise vs Natural Soundscape

  • Half of humanity lives in cities with noisy soundscapes they aren't designed for.
  • Natural sounds like birdsong and water are absent but crucial for well-being and relaxation.
INSIGHT

Hearing Is Not Listening

  • Hearing is a warning sense and processes sound 20 times faster than vision.
  • Listening is a conscious act and skill, different from passive hearing.
INSIGHT

Hearing vs Visual Perception

  • Hearing is a passive, receptive sense unlike the directed, outbound eyes.
  • Society favors vision due to its visibility, ignoring the invisible power of sound and listening.
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