Nov. 17: City Sounds

In today's reading the author talks about how "we are creatures with one foot rooted in the natural world and the other in the artifical world of our own devising." He further states that we may think it would be pleasant and serene to return to a more natural way of life but most of us would not enjoy truely returning to nature. According to Mr. White we are much to ingrained into our created world and the natural rhythms that occur there than we will ever be to our natural world. In other words we have lived in cities for so long they have become for many of us our natural world instead of the nature we think we might enjoy. He also discusses how our created world has a natural rhythmic quality which is more like jazz than the classical orchestral music of nature.
For Further Reflection:
Mr. White offers us some additional food for thought in this section when he tells us that we, as writers, need to tap into the "Kaleidoscope of sounds" that communicate much about our modern lief. He further states that as writer we can gain energy by becoming attuned to these "harmonies and dissonances" that are the rhythm of life in modern cities.
Today's "Try This" assignment:
Over the next several days become a student of city sounds. Pay close attention to the subtler urban sounds that may be obscured by the more obnoxious ones: sounds emanating from factories, airports, shopping malls; evening and nocturnal sounds; early morning sounds. Visit a city park and record what you hear there. How do those sounds differ from those encountered in wilderness areas? maintain a written record of the sounds you encounter in these various urban locations.