Memories of the 28th Century

Or why some handicaps in "Harrison Bergeron" were noises

I was annoyed by the noise level in a bar recently, so I left, but I was reminded of that great short story by Kurt Vonnegut "Harrison Bergeron"; specifically the use of noise to disrupt thought and the use of noise in bars and some other places to encourage people buying more and throwing caution to the wind. It does seem that noise effectively decreases intelligence.

Noise, especially discordant noise makes it difficult to concentrate on anything. I was in a bar with several TV’s and an electronic jukebox. There is plenty of noise, the total effect is visual in addition to being noisy. Even with the noise I have written a few things there and done some editing. But it wasn’t easy.

I assume that bars think that they can sell more to people who are dazed by the noise. I haven’t been able to find anything on that question, but that is what appears to happen in bars and elsewhere that have loud noise.

"Lowering the lights signals the real beginning of night-time fun: with dimmed lights and alcohol beginning to work its magic the business of loosening up after the day’s exertions can truly begin.

But turning the music up so loud that people are forced to shout at each other doesn’t have quite the same beneficial effect on social interactions. Because everyone is shouting, the bar becomes even noisier and soon people start to give up trying to communicate and focus on their drinking, meaning more trips to the bar, and more regrets in the morning." http://www.spring.org.uk/2008/09/why...-increases.php

I thought that something like that might be going on, but I haven't noticed this effect, but my sample has been quite small, and I usually leave when a place becomes too noisy for my taste. But the studies cited in the spring.com article say that drinking increases when the sound level increases. I wonder if a study that took into account the numbers of people leaving because the noise was uncomfortable. If I owned a bar I would want people to feel warm and fuzzy in the bar in contrast to the stressful feelings people have in streets, etc.

I looked for information about noise levels and intelligence, and found some things. Noise can decrease concentration, so it has the effect of lowering intelligence, and intelligent people hate this. But I was wondering if prolonged noise might permanently reduce intelligence, and I couldn't find that, but it might be a rare situation for someone to be exposed to that much noise for that long a time. This is something that a grad student in psychology or another field might want to consider.

But the Science Daily article does say this about loud noise, and changing how speech is heard might effect intelligence.
"Prolonged exposure to loud noise alters how the brain processes speech, potentially increasing the difficulty in distinguishing speech sounds, according to neuroscientists at The University of Texas at Dallas."


While I was fairly confident that there was something to my hypothesis about noise, I found more different things about noise, so writing these few hundred words were a learning experience. I didn't find anything about it, but I am quite confident that making customers comfortable would result in more liquor sales without the cost of the electricity to run all those TV's and sound equipment. I am very happy that I don't pay the electricity bills of most of the bars I have been in.

I will continue to avoid noisy places, and I am considering getting earplugs, so that I might not be afflicted with as much noise, and I understand that there are earplugs that will filter out parts of the noise without removing everything. I will find out.


https://www.scientificamerican.com/a...kground-noise/

Effect of loud noises on brain revealed in study
https://www.sciencedaily.com/release...0731102524.htm

6 things that lower IQ
http://www.prevention.com/health/hea...hings-lower-iq

Sshh! There's a genius at work: Being overly sensitive to sound could be the key to intellectuals' creativity
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...#ixzz4l2vCHVYL

https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog...is-harming-you

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ukne...on-health.html

Why Loud Music in Bars Increases Alcohol Consumption
http://www.spring.org.uk/2008/09/why...-increases.php