Noise or silence: who decides?

[Beef Oven!]

I suppose one could do one's crawl kick 1 2 3 1 2 3 1 2 3 1 2 3 etc

In fact does much current pop music have a beat? Much of it seems shapeless moaning to max 2 chords.....

harsh

[Beef Oven!]

I've never understood how people run/jog with headphones feeding music into their ears, it would put me off but I have noticed that sometimes the beats of some rhythms repeat involuntarily in my mind's ear, no idea why though as I don't try to do it.

I nearly always have music & earphones when jogging, gym etc.

For me it's to help with, what for me, is a not very enjoyable activity.

I don't get the music rhythm/running relationship. On these very boards I've been told off for listening to Tony's Stabat Mater while on the treadmill. My go to music in the gym is heavy metal, largely to drown out the poor choices (of an otherwise good genre) played over the house system.

[jean]

For me it's to help with, what for me, is a not very enjoyable activity.

I can understand that. But exhibitions of great art do not come into this category.

[jean]

Back to the BM a few weeks ago to see the Sunken Cities exhibition.

Once again ruined (and I mean ruined!) for me by what they are pleased to call Ambient sound.

I complained, bitterly, and here is the email I've just received:

I'm writing in response to your comments on the Sunken cities exhibition which have been forwarded to me for a reply. Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback with us, I’m sorry that the atmospheric use of audio in the exhibition had such a negative impact.

We commission an independent agency to evaluate our major exhibitions. They draw on feedback from a robust sample of visitors and use this to produce a report that helps us assess the visitor experience. We have undertaken many evaluations of exhibitions where we have used ambient sound. Each exhibition is different, but the overall picture to date has been that the vast majority of visitors welcome the approach. A selection of our evaluation reports are online here if you would like to find out more about what we test and the comments we receive:

http://www.britishmuseum.org/research/research_projects/all_current_projects/visitor_research.aspx

The evaluation of the Hajj exhibition, for example, strongly indicates that the use of audio in this instance was welcomed by the vast majority of visitors. When we're developing exhibitions, participants in our formative focus groups often ask for sound to be included because ambient sound can help visitors immersive themselves in an exhibition and adds atmosphere.

We are, however, not complacent and we will be reviewing the use of sound in the Sunken cities exhibition. If it becomes clear that use of sound is impacting negatively on a significant number of visitors then we will take action and consider its use in future exhibitions carefully.

A small number of visitors do object to the use of ambient sound in exhibitions. I'm keen to better understand these objections and if there are any other points you think it might be helpful to raise, please do let me know.

Many thanks again for taking the time to send us your comments. We hope to welcome you back to the British Museum again soon.

Kind regards

Jane Batty
Interpretation Manager

[Cockney Sparrow]

I went to the Sicily exhibition. I think we stay longer than many a visitor, there was a lot to see and absorb (and we were due to go to Sicily within weeks). We took a break and completed our viewing (we are BM Friends, so just re-entered). The sound effects did begin to impinge, given that we were taking our time, but I didn't take strong exception to it.

However, I carry foam earplugs in my rucksack, so before I hand in my paraphernalia at the cloakroom in future I will take them with me in case I would rather opt for silence. ( I use earplugs in the cinema, for the trailers too....). I'll consider "giving them feedback" on the next occasion the sound impinges...

[Dave2002]

On these very boards I've been told off for listening to Tony's Stabat Mater while on the treadmill.

Which Tony? Dvořák?

[jean]

I went to the Sicily exhibition...The sound effects did begin to impinge, given that we were taking our time, but I didn't take strong exception to it.

The Sicily exhibition? I never even noticed any ambient sound in that one! Are you sure?

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

"Ambient sound" is a polite term for imposed background noise.

[jean]

We know that. But the imposers don't.

What do you think of their reply to me?

Clearly they've got all the evidence they think they need for imposing this stuff, because 'most people' they've asked actually like it.

What is to be done?

[MrGongGong]

"Ambient sound" is a polite term for imposed background noise.

No it's not
Whether it's done well or badly is another thing all together

I'm glad you have retired from teaching

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

No it's not

Yes, it is. In the case to which we are referring, it's extraneous sounds imposed upon the perceived audience, whether they like it or not.

I'm glad you have retired from teaching

Are we getting personal again?

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

What do you think of their reply to me?

Arrogant.

What is to be done?

Persuasion by whatever legal method is available. Or, as I have done on several occasions, non-violent direct action.

[MrGongGong]

Yes, it is. In the case to which we are referring, it's extraneous sounds imposed upon the perceived audience, whether they like it or not.

All environments have a sonic signature.
There's nothing intrinsically wrong with designing this and it's exactly what architects do when they make buildings.
When you choose to go to an exhibition you are choosing to experience something that has been curated by someone and that includes designing the way in which people flow through the space, what the light levels are, where the focal points are, what the room sounds like etc Whether it's done well or badly is another thing all together.

Are we getting personal again?

I wasn't being 100% serious (I seldom am)

[mangerton]

We know that. But the imposers don't.

What do you think of their reply to me?

Clearly they've got all the evidence they think they need for imposing this stuff, because 'most people' they've asked actually like it.

What is to be done?

In reply to your two questions,

1. Dreadful. Very arrogant. I wonder if Ms Batty "Interpretation Manager" (what that? - ed) was once employed by the BBC, or wants a job there.

2. Probably shake your head and move on. There's nothing to be done with these people.

On the plus side, I learned a new verb, "to impressive".

[MrGongGong]

http://www.pbs.org/newshour/updates/culture-not-biology-decides-difference-music-noise/

So there