Silence as a luxury good.

Living next to public transportation construction over the past five years, I am fairly attuned to the sounds around me. I have creating various sound ontologies cataloging modes of conveyance and warning noises. I can visualize the tricks the skateboarder is attempting beneath my window. I know whose dog is out for a run based on the voices of her owners. These are the sounds of a vibrant city. While some sounds are clearly nuisances, I have been able to tune many out as quickly as I tune in. It’s a survival mechanism.