Chapter 1: The Drowning Noise of Society

Imagine you wrap up your work week and decide to unwind at a local pub with colleagues. It starts off peacefully, but as the crowd grows, the chatter escalates. By the time you attempt to place your third drink order, you find yourself shouting, and by the end of the night, your voice is nearly gone.

Personally, I tend to speak softly. After years of performing and public speaking, I’m often surprised at how easily I can strain my voice just by socializing in a bustling bar for a few hours. The gradual increase in volume goes unnoticed, yet each minute demands more effort from my throat to be heard over the din. You find it challenging to hear those across the table, and even more difficult to converse with someone seated beside you.

This phenomenon mirrors what occurs in our broader society. The relentless noise comprises a constant stream of urgent news and aggressive marketing. Sorting through this chaos to find meaningful content becomes nearly impossible. Everything seems to happen simultaneously and at a deafening level. Whether we recognize it or not, news outlets bombard us with increasingly sensational headlines, while products are marketed using progressively more aggressive tactics. In our quest to cut through this cacophony, we often contribute to the noise ourselves.

Music producers have long understood that when presenting their work to clients, the foremost priority is to ensure the track sounds loud. A mentor of mine once shared an experience where a client had expressed dissatisfaction with bass levels in a previous mix. Within seconds of playing the revised version—simply at a higher volume—the client was impressed. “You nailed it this time, well done!” he exclaimed, shaking hands and collecting payment. The only change was the volume level.

Ideas, too, can fall victim to this noise. Amplifying a message is a surefire way to capture attention quickly. When faced with confusion, we often gravitate toward the loudest voices. Demagogues know that the truth of their message matters less than the catchy slogans that stick with voters. Phrases like “Take back control” and “Get it done” are memorable and can be easily associated with a charismatic figure. Political correctness has become so tedious that all it takes is for a demagogue to cross a line, and they gain popularity among the crowd. Thus, we cling to superficial correctness, fearing the extreme alternatives.

The status quo thrives on keeping us shouting, as it makes meaningful change nearly unattainable when communication falters. Organizing any resistance becomes difficult without clear communication, and discerning quality information is rendered almost impossible. Ultimately, this onslaught on our focus incapacitates our ability to engage.

Here lies our challenge: we must seek out quiet spaces and individuals if we hope to discover anything of substance. Is our message compelling enough for others to pursue? Is our idea significant enough to warrant stepping away from the noise?

All we can do is attempt to improve ourselves.

Today's level of cautious optimism: 60%.

Listening to: “Kind of Blue” by Miles Davis.

Thank you for taking the time to read! Your support is immensely appreciated as I navigate this early phase of my journey.

Who am I, you may ask?

I am a musician who writes and a writer who creates music. You can explore my world here.

Section 1.1: The Importance of Finding Quiet

In a world filled with distractions, it's essential to carve out moments of tranquility. These quiet times allow for introspection and clarity, enabling us to focus on what truly matters.

Chapter 2: Embracing the Silence

In the first video titled TRY NOT TO SCREAM... THEY CAN HEAR YOU | Silent Breath, we explore how silence can be both daunting and liberating. It challenges us to confront our fears in a noise-filled world.

The second video, Learn u-he Diva in under 3 hours (everything explained), serves as an educational guide, emphasizing the importance of clarity and understanding amidst complexity.