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The Soundscape: Our Sonic Environment and the Tuning of the World (Original) — Occult Philosophy

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The Soundscape: Our Sonic Environment and the Tuning of the World (Original)

Name: The Soundscape: Our Sonic Environment and the Tuning of the World (Original)
Price: 16.95 USD
Availability: InStock
ISBN: 9780892814558

✍️ Schafer, R Murray

Reader Score

4.6

(1 review)

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📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

R. Murray Schafer introduces the revolutionary concept of the "soundscape"—the complete auditory environment surrounding us. From primordial echoes to the relentless hum of modern industry, he traces humanity's journey through an ever-evolving sonic world. Schafer argues that we now suffer from a deluge of acoustic information, dulling our ability to discern the subtle nuances of sound. This groundbreaking work urges us to reclaim our auditory faculties, to listen with intention, classify the sounds that enrich us, and consciously shape healthier, more harmonious sonic environments for our well-being.

🕯️

Occult Philosophy

Praise for this book

“. . . an unusual sensory experience that will raise your consciousness of the soundscape to a level of sensitivity you never experienced before.”

— The New York Times

🏛 Destiny Books 📅 1993 📖 320 pages 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9780892814558

Fun Fact

Schafer's seminal work is not just a study of sound; it's an urgent call to reawaken a fundamental sense, offering profound insights into our neglected auditory world. While not a spellbook or a guide to specific esoteric practices, its framework for conscious listening and environmental harmony is invaluable for practitioners of mindful living. Those seeking only practical magical techniques might be disappointed, but anyone interested in the subtle, often-unseen influences of their surroundings will find this a foundational text for expanded awareness.

📝 Description: The Soundscape: Our Sonic Environment and the Tuning of the World (Original)

The soundscape--a term coined by the author--is our sonic environment, the ever-present array of noises with which we all live. Beginning with the primordial sounds of nature, we have experienced an ever-increasing complexity of our sonic surroundings. As civilization develops, new noises rise up around us: from the creaking wheel, the clang of the blacksmith's hammer, and the distant chugging of steam trains to the "sound imperialism" of airports, city streets, and factories. The author contends that we now suffer from an overabundance of acoustic information and a proportionate diminishing of our ability to hear the nuances and subtleties of sound. Our task, he maintains, is to listen, analyze, and make distinctions. As a society we have become more aware of the toxic wastes that can enter our bodies through the air we breathe and the water we drink. In fact, the pollution of our sonic environment is no less real. Schafer emphasizes the importance of discerning the sounds that enrich and feed us and using them to create healthier environments. To this end, he explains how to classify sounds, appreciating their beauty or ugliness, and provides exercises and "soundwalks" to help us become more discriminating and sensitive to the sounds around us. This book is a pioneering exploration of our acoustic environment, past and present, and an attempt to imagine what it might become in the future.

📑 What's inside

Preface Introduction
Part One: First Soundscapes
One: The Natural Soundscape
Two: The Sounds of Life
Three: The Rural Soundscape
Four: From Town to City
Part Two: The Post-Industrial Soundscape
Five: The Industrial Revolution
Six: The Electric Revolution
Interlude
Seven: Music, the Soundscape and Changing Perceptions
Part Three: Analysis
Eight: Notation
Nine: Classification
Ten: Perception
Eleven: Morphology

💎 Expert review

“

💎

Esoterica Books editorial team

Occult literature desk

Schafer’s groundbreaking exploration of the 'soundscape' offers a revolutionary lens on our auditory environment, tracing humanity's journey from primordial echoes to industrial deluge. While it successfully urges readers to reclaim their auditory faculties and shape harmonious sonic spaces, it may not suit those seeking quick fixes or purely technical audio engineering advice. The philosophical depth might feel abstract to readers preferring concrete, actionable steps without theoretical grounding. However, for those willing to engage with the concept of acoustic ecology as a spiritual and practical discipline, it provides essential insights into how sound shapes our very existence and well-being.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

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Why this book is worth reading

Readers seeking to reclaim their sensory autonomy will find profound value in this text. It is ideal for those weary of the relentless hum of modern industry who wish to discern the subtle nuances often drowned out by noise. By urging us to listen with intention and classify enriching sounds, Schafer offers a path to healthier, more harmonious sonic environments. Those interested in how auditory perception shapes our existence and well-being will gain practical tools for tuning their world. This book empowers individuals to move from passive consumers of acoustic information to active shapers of their auditory reality, fostering a deeper connection to the hidden symphony surrounding them.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Esoterica Books —

⭐ Esoterica editorial review Editorial rating 4.6/5

★★★★★

If you sense a deeper truth in vibrations, or feel overwhelmed by the clamor of the modern world, this book offers profound insights. It's for seekers ready to reawaken a crucial, often-dormant sense and understand its subtle yet powerful influence on well-being and perception.

Reader rating

4.6

Based on 1 reviews

Esoterica Books editorial team

Schafer’s groundbreaking exploration of the 'soundscape' offers a revolutionary lens on our auditory environment, tracing humanity's journey from primordial echoes to industrial deluge. While it successfully urges readers to reclaim their auditory faculties and shape harmonious sonic spaces, it may not suit those seeking quick fixes or purely technical audio engineering advice. The philosophical depth might feel abstract to readers preferring concrete, actionable steps without theoretical grounding. However, for those willing to engage with the concept of acoustic ecology as a spiritual and practical discipline, it provides essential insights into how sound shapes our very existence and well-being.

❓ Frequently asked questions

A 'soundscape' is the unique auditory environment of a place or region, encompassing all sounds, both natural and man-made. Schafer was the first to formalize and extensively explore this holistic concept of our sonic surroundings.

By providing tools and exercises like 'soundwalks,' this book trains you to become a more discerning listener. It helps you identify and appreciate beneficial sounds while recognizing and mitigating the impact of detrimental ones, fostering a more harmonious personal environment.

📖 Who should read this

🎯 Key themes and symbolism

The Evolving Soundscape

This book meticulously charts how our auditory world transforms from the quietude of nature to the cacophony of civilization. It delves into the historical layers of sound, from ancient whispers to the relentless hum of modernity, illustrating how each era imprints its unique sonic signature upon our collective experience and consciousness.

Pollution of Silence

Schafer posits that the modern world suffers from an overabundance of noise, diminishing our sensitivity and inner peace. This theme explores how unchecked sonic expansion acts as a pollutant, akin to environmental toxins, eroding our capacity for nuanced perception and contributing to a pervasive sense of disquiet.

Reclaiming Auditory Acuity

The work passionately advocates for a deliberate re-engagement with listening, urging readers to classify and discern sounds. It presents methods for cultivating a more acute awareness, distinguishing between sounds that nourish and those that deplete, fostering healthier sonic environments and a deeper connection to our surroundings.

📜 Historical context

Pioneering the field of acoustic ecology, Schafer's work emerged during a burgeoning environmental consciousness, extending concerns beyond visible pollution to sensory perception. It stands as a foundational text, linking ancient traditions of attentive listening with a modern critique of industrial noise, paving the way for sound art, urban planning, and deeper studies into the esoteric impact of environment.

📚 Glossary

Soundscape
Acoustic Ecology
Soundwalk

📔 Questions to reflect on

Reflect on a moment today when sound deeply affected your mood or state of being. What were the specific sounds, and how did they resonate within you?
Imagine your ideal personal soundscape. What elements would it contain, and what sounds would be conspicuously absent? How might you begin to cultivate this environment?
Consider a place you know well. How has its soundscape changed over time? What does this evolution reveal about societal shifts or environmental impacts you hadn't considered?