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Sound Affects by Julian Treasure

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Sound Affects

Publisher
Quercus
Publish Date
27 March 2025
Run Time
11 hours 15 minutes
Format
Audiobook

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What to expect

'Transformative and a fascinating read; this book will open your ears to the world of sound and change your life' Steven Bartlett, bestselling author of The Diary of a CEO

'A fascinating insight into the power of sound' Susan Cain, No. 1 New York Times bestselling author of QUIET

Every day, the sounds around us affect every aspect of our human experience, and thus fundamentally alter our quality of life, for better or worse. It is only recently that scientists have realised that sounds connect us to the world in ways that are every bit as vivid and evocative as visual landscapes. Hearing is the first sense we develop, and as our primary warning sense it is hardwired into our brains. And yet, in an increasingly noisy and distracted world, most people pay scant attention to the sounds around them, causing them to lose contact with the essential skill of listening.

Sound Affects is about rediscovering the wonder of sound, and understanding how powerfully it affects us, whether we are paying attention or not. It is also a manual for taking back responsibility for the sounds we consume and the sounds we make, so we can enhance our own happiness, effectiveness and well-being.

In the process, the reader will discover that:
- stars are like bells, ringing with sound black holes make sound 50 octaves below what we can hear
- snapping shrimp may be only 1cm long but they make sound that's as loud as a rock concert
- whales can communicate underwater over hundreds of miles with very low frequency sound that travels five times as fast as sound in air
- individual cells make unique sounds, enabling scientists detect early signs of metastases
- dolphins have names and call each other by them

Critics Review

  • Transformative and a fascinating read; this book will open your ears to the world of sound and change your life

    Steven Bartlett, author of The Diary of a CEO

  • A fascinating insight into the power of sound

    Susan Cain, No. 1 New York Times bestselling author of QUIET

  • Julian Treasure has long argued for increased attention to sound in commerce and culture. Here is his most extended presentation on listening to the world in its widest form. An engaging and exuberant book

    David Rothenberg, author of Why Birds Sing and Secret Sounds of Ponds

  • Julian Treasure has long argued for increased attention to sound in commerce and culture. Here is his most extended presentation on listening to the world in its widest form. An engaging and exuberant book

    David Rothenberg, author of Why Birds Sing and Secret Sounds of Ponds

User Reviews

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Details

Author
Julian Treasure
Narrator
Julian Treasure
Duration
11 hours 15 minutes
Release Date
27 March 2025
ISBN
9781529428834
Format
Audiobook
Publisher
Quercus
Genre
Popular psychology, Popular science, Wave mechanics (vibration and acoustics), Acoustic and sound engineering

Synopsis

'Transformative and a fascinating read; this book will open your ears to the world of sound and change your life' Steven Bartlett, bestselling author of The Diary of a CEO'A fascinating insight into the power of sound' Susan Cain, No. 1 New York Times bestselling author of QUIETEvery day, the sounds around us affect every aspect of our human experience, and thus fundamentally alter our quality of life, for better or worse. It is only recently that scientists have realised that sounds connect us to the world in ways that are every bit as vivid and evocative as visual landscapes. Hearing is the first sense we develop, and as our primary warning sense it is hardwired into our brains. And yet, in an increasingly noisy and distracted world, most people pay scant attention to the sounds around them, causing them to lose contact with the essential skill of listening. Sound Affects is about rediscovering the wonder of sound, and understanding how powerfully it affects us, whether we are paying attention or not. It is also a manual for taking back responsibility for the sounds we consume and the sounds we make, so we can enhance our own happiness, effectiveness and well-being.In the process, the reader will discover that:- stars are like bells, ringing with sound black holes make sound 50 octaves below what we can hear - snapping shrimp may be only 1cm long but they make sound that's as loud as a rock concert - whales can communicate underwater over hundreds of miles with very low frequency sound that travels five times as fast as sound in air - individual cells make unique sounds, enabling scientists detect early signs of metastases - dolphins have names and call each other by them

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