{"id":24665,"date":"2019-04-17T17:20:04","date_gmt":"2019-04-17T15:20:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/amazingy.com\/magazine\/?p=24665"},"modified":"2021-04-15T14:17:50","modified_gmt":"2021-04-15T12:17:50","slug":"what-is-creative-sound","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/amazingy.com\/magazine\/what-is-creative-sound\/","title":{"rendered":"A Creative Conversation: The Effects of Self-Talk, Sound Waves & Music"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

What is \u2018creative sound\u2019 \u2014 and how can it help re:solve (internal) conflict?<\/em><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most of us can\u2019t help but boogie whenever our ears catch onto the sound waves of our favorite song, there is a rather complex process at work: the conversion of acoustical energy into mechanical energy<\/strong>1<\/a><\/strong><\/sup>. It is this process which enables our distinct sense of hearing ~ helping us collect valuable information about our environment and even intensely affecting our overall mood at times, especially when it comes to music. But the term \u2018creative sound\u2019 can refer to more than just \u2018creativity in sound\u2019 or a beautifully melodic tune. In theory, it is meant to re:present the notion that \u201cgood vibes\u201d can also travel via sound waves ~ and not just in the form of music, but also through the art of conversation<\/strong>, as well. (Even the ones we have with ourselves in our head<\/em>… or is that just me? <\/em>?)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Don\u2019t get me wrong: my love for music is as reckless as the Titanic + goes as deep as its heartbreaking demise. But this theory aims to go even deeper into our understanding of sound & vocal acoustics<\/strong>, and the extraordinary capacity that music has to ignite our spirits is just the tip of the iceberg. So let\u2019s dive into the science behind it a bit more then, shall we?

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"\/

via psywww.com<\/a><\/em> <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n


Here\u2019s a little play-by-play:<\/strong> each & every sound wave (favored or not) travels first through the funnel of the pinna, which serves as a sort of pressurized gateway; this helps compress the sound into waveforms far more suitable to the eardrum so that \u2013 after this information has been encoded \u2013 it may be easily transferred into the auditory canal. Throughout the evolution of human hearing, our species has achieved an incredibly diverse level of audibility (perception of hearing), and this has engendered the human language with so many dialectal variations that we can hardly understand one another cross-continent (the lingering, debilitating effects of colonization notwithstanding…<\/em>) ~ but of course, eardrums are not the only means of interpreting waves & vibrations<\/strong>.

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMuch of animal communication depends on propagating waves, such as light, acoustic, electromagnetic waves. Evolutionarily, the reception and processing of the energy embedded in such waves is advantageous, as it allows for the gain of information about the environment, close by or distant.\u201d<\/em><\/p>
\u2014 Towards understanding plant bioacoustics<\/strong><\/a><\/em> <\/strong><\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n


There are indeed many species which are able to discern what\u2019s happening in their environment using a different method entirely ~ and snakes are one such example, having evolved in such a way that they are able to \u201chear\u201d via a cochlea-like mechanosensory system (which uses mechanical stimuli, such as pressure or vibration). As sound travels considerably well in denser substrates (surfaces) like soil, most snakes have evolved so that they maintain a consistent level of contact with the ground via slithering<\/strong>, using their bodies to engage readily in a conversation with their surroundings. By utilizing their jawbones as a coupling mechanism, they can pick up on those substrate vibrations and prepare themselves to fend off an enemy predator \u2013 or to spring onto unsuspecting prey. Thus, it isn\u2019t unfounded to surmise that other species (especially those similarly dependent on the terrain) may also benefit from information received through subterranean vibrations.

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"\/<\/figure>\n\n\n\n


While current research on the topic of rooted sentience in plants is spotty at best, there are many theoretical claims proposing that plants respond well to sound; even as early as 1848, German professor Gustav Fechner published a book titled Nanna (Soul-life of Plants) <\/em>in which it was suggested that plants benefit from human conversation. And there have already been some findings made in support of the notion that plants are wholly receptive to acoustic vibrations, i.e. that the vibrations made by herbivorous insects signal certain plants\u2019 defense mechanisms<\/a><\/strong>, or that the roots of certain seedlings will grow in the direction of sounds emitted at certain frequencies<\/strong><\/a> (as seen in the image above). Based on these studies, it would seem that even plants boogie to their favorite tunes ? But what more can that tell us about the effects that sound waves can have on living things? Well…

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

creative > de[con]structive<\/em><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In a controversial ad campaign in support of the #SayNoToBullying<\/a> movement (rather hypocritical, considering they make a business out of cutting trees down<\/em>), IKEA UAE conducted a similar \u2013 albeit totally unsubstantiated \u2013 experiment<\/a>: two plants of the same genus were taken from their inventory and placed in separate, transparent enclosures, wherein each was exposed to a constant stream of voice recordings ~ made by a group of students that had participated in the project ~ over the course of a month. One plant was given compliments & positive reinforcement, and the other was \u201cbullied\u201d with malicious remarks<\/strong> (someone decided that a control plant wasn\u2019t necessary, it seems)<\/em> \u2013 and by the end of the experiment, lo & behold, one of the plants was on its way out ?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite the major role that many scientific loopholes played in the outcome of their experiment, its underlying message rings true: there exists a dire need for more supportive voices in our inter- & intrapersonal spaces ~ in the relationships we form with others, but also in the relationship each of us maintains with our inner self<\/strong>. Moreover, \u2018supportive\u2019 doesn’t necessarily mean \u2018non-critical\u2019; it is thus incredibly important that we take time to discern the difference between constructive (creative<\/em>) + deconstructive (destructive<\/em>) sounds \u2013 to realize that the intention we imbue our voices with can result in lasting changes to our internal & external environments. And a good place to start is to check in with yourself consistently ~ by checking your tone of voice ?
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before you speak, let your words pass through three gates \u2013<\/em><\/p>

At the first gate, ask yourself: \u201cIs it true?\u201d
At the second gate, ask: \u201cIs it necessary?\u201d
At the third gate, ask: \u201cIs it kind?\u201d<\/em><\/p>
\u2014 of Buddhist origins<\/em><\/strong><\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n


There are many versions of this true\/necessary\/kind mantra, most of which stem from Buddhist teachings (including this one, taken loosely from the P\u0101\u1e6dimokkha<\/a>: \u201cDo I speak at the right time, or not? Do I speak facts, or not? Do I speak gently, or harshly? Do I speak profitable words, or not? Do I speak with a kind heart, or with inward malice?\u201d<\/em>) ~ and although values like truth, necessity + kindness are inherently bound to subjectivity, the usefulness they can serve as gateways to healthy communication is manifest<\/strong>. In my understanding of this series of mantras, it isn\u2019t so much about the answer to each question, but rather the purpose of questioning oneself \u2013 to utilize inquiry as a method of positive affirmation via self-critique. It\u2019s a slippery slope, though, for sure: self-criticism (among other de[con]structive thought processes) without meaningful good intent can lead us in a downward spiral of self-depreciation, whereby our creative voice is weakened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Within the echo chamber of destructive thought generated by this type of volatile & detrimental criticism, we will more often than not lose the ability to reason with our inner self… Meanwhile, any insecurities we have can easily takeover \u2013 pushing us into an even deeper feeling of depression. But whenever we choose to speak about our flaws\/\\mistakes with a more hopeful, compassionate & constructive voice, the \u201cgood vibrations\u201d echo so much louder ~ the pro:active choice to speak to ourselves (& others) creatively is what cultivates the emotional space we require to undergo internal (& interpersonal) conflict-resolution<\/strong>. By granting ourselves unrestricted access to such a space, we learn how to deal with our emotions\/\\concerns more comprehensively; forming & maintaining an open dialogue with our inner selves hastens our emotional healing processes and balances our individual growth ?

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n