I feel that Krukoski idea of how the feeling you get when you listen to an audio an auto on a well produced mic is different than the feeling we receive when listening to someone over the phone. The sounds may be different however I believe that the feeling can still be . It honestly depends on if we’re paying attention to what I said versus how it sounds. Unlike music where he says” they may not annunciate but are a they do get their feelings across,” the telephone gives us simple words which will call us to always focus on the words that someone is saying. Although the digital media does compress our voices the words at times can still hold feelings. I honestly was unable to follow the story that he was using to prove his point due to there being so much going on with the sound during the show. 

After reading the history of A.S.M.R I have a newfound respect for the genre. The way A.S.M.R was able to realize that some people enjoy the sounds because it replicates a mom touches. The soft and calming sensation can almost give that same comfort that you get. The way they mastered the art, of using the tones in their voice to maximize the effect.

1.The ideas that Krukowski lays out in this episode is to basically project how sounds can be affected in whatever manner you take it in whether you hear it in video or in person the sound is always altered not purposely but it depends on the device it was taken with. No matter what the exact sounds are way more intimate when you are there to hear it in person like for example, concerts. Overall, I believe his ideas are honestly very well thought out and deserves more recognition considering it opened my mind to new ways of hearing. Throughout the audio, I believe he did extraordinary in explaining and how sound itself holds all the purpose in the world to the point where I myself start to hold this thinking while listening to something as small as small noises or as big as noises in a crowded city.

2. ASMR on it’s own is very fascinating and relaxing to me because I personally hear it myself to calm my anxiety and to help me with sleep and for me personally I see that when it comes to sound ASMR it’s really important since it serves a hug purpose into making sounds that take a certain effect such as people like me who actually watch it.

• What do you think about the ideas Krukowski lays out in this episode? Does he adequately describe the intimacies afforded by sound and the tradeoff digital sound presents? In your answer, please incorporate at least one quotation from the episode.

When we speak, we are able to communicate our feelings and emotions through sound. Every word said has a deeper meaning behind it. In the third episode of “Ways of Hearing”, Damon Krukowski explains how the age of digital technology has taken away the intimacy of sound in turn for efficiency. Most notably, Krukowski says “The sound of our voice across the digital line is limited. It’s stripped to that minimum we need to recognize a voice and decode its words.” I agree because In a way we are limited. Often through contemporary media, we hear words and associate them with meaning, not feeling. Although the compression of sound through modern technology allows us to deliver our voice to a wider audience, it takes away the emotion that is captured in that of analog recordings. The inability to capture human emotion through these digital recordings takes away the intimacy of the experience. They take away the personal feel integrated by stripping it down to a bare form.

• The New York Times article “How A.S.M.R. Became a Sensation” presents something like the opposite situation by providing an example of how digital tools are being used to circulate the intimate experience certain every day and passing sounds induce. What do you see as the most interesting or important point about sound in this short history of A.S.M.R.? 

Although A.S.M.R has recently become a phenomenon, as Keiles stated, the perplexing effects induced by this digital trend have been questioned since the early 2000s. Often caused by otherwise common triggers such as the sound of chalk against a chalkboard, or the obnoxious chewing of food, societal acceptance of it was incomprehensible up until recent years. Personally, I’m not intrigued by the concept. That being said, others around me seem to enjoy these videos quite a lot. I believe the most interesting point I picked up on about the various sounds in A.S.M.R was their ability to cause a physiological, euphoric feeling without actual physical interaction.  “A tingling that spread through her scalp as the camera pulled back to show the marble of the earth. It came in a wave, like a warm effervescence, making its way down the length of her spine and leaving behind a sense of gratitude and wholeness.” This part of the reading stood out to me because it explores the connection between the psychological and physiological effects of A.S.M.R. The way Keiles describes these feelings highlights how the intimate range of emotions delivered through the simplicity of sound form these personal bubbles for society to indulge in.

In Damon Krukowski episode two of his podcast, “Ways of Hearing” he explains how new technology blocks people off to the people and environment around them via headphones and phone screens.  I can relate to this when I’m on the move through the city I always have my air pods in and I’m I do everything I can to avoid other people around me.  I also fully relate to Krukowski’s view on the roar of the city I also grew up on the top floor of an apartment looking over a busy street in Brooklyn.  I grew very accustomed to all the noises and ruckus of the street below me hearing it all day and night.  When I moved away for a few years out of the city to a more rural area where there was barley any cars or anything going on for that matter the nights were silent, and it was hard for me to sleep I found myself sleeping with the tv on throughout the night.  Along with all the sounds I can relate with him on the gentrification aspect the area I grew up in was mostly industrial all factories and plants.  It was where all the European immigrants came to work there was not much else going on.  When I go to revisit now its nothing but high rise apartment’s and hotels strips of bars and clubs and fancy restaurants the cost of living has also gone up exponentials little remains of the neighborhood it used to be as cost of living has gone up exponentially.

According to “Ways of hearing #2 – SPACE”, Krukowski describes how sound is all around us. He explains how earbuds affect us as if we are in our own world or bubble. He explains house noises are a part of our everyday life’s no matter where we are. In the podcast Krukowski states “If you are busy talking on the phone or looking at a screen, are you really in this crowd, are you here with me on this side walk moving together like we are all in the same wave or are you in some space all together” In my personal experience I see this happen everywhere around NYC, people seem to be talking on the phone or staring at a screen not aware of their surroundings. They do not pay attention to what is in front of them and sometimes can lead to accidents because they are to busy staring at a screen while walking. Krukowski also mentions that “the streets of NYC move much slower” which is relatable because people who are staring at their phone or talking on the phone move slower, bump into people. They are not aware of what is going on around them at all. Most people use earbuds to cancel out all the noise that are around them. They can’t hear the cars, trains, people talking, dogs barking etc… which is like they are not really even there to begin with because they are in a whole different noise environment. If I do not have headphones on and one of my friends with me does, we will not hear the  same things and its like we are in two different places even though we are right next to each other. Personally I do not use earbuds much, but when I do it’s not for long because I like to be aware of my surroundings. Technology has advanced plenty through out the years causing people to be less social with one another. People do not talk as much and avoid eye contact because they are to busy looking at their phones.

According to Krukowsi’s podcast, Ways of Hearing, we privatize our space in the public with the usage of earbuds. The idea that is brought up in the podcasts infuriates me because I myself agree and discuss about this subject often. With the advancement in technology, we don’t take the world and its noise into account anymore. Us humans also don’t talk anymore; Our ways of communicating are artificial. We text, DM, or email to verbalize ourselves. We don’t call or arrange to be in the presence of someone as often. People now say I love you or were breaking up over a message. This shows that we try to avoid sounds in all forms, whether its outside noise or communicating with your loved ones.

 The Radio City Music Hall was made to establish a space where you can enjoy music while controlling the noise that interferes it. Krukowski compared earbuds to the venue stating that “Earbuds are like an auditorium without walls”.  My earbuds play an important role in how I visualize things, it enhances my ability to imagine, imagine a place other than here. But I don’t intend to estrange myself from reality, I just don’t find listening to the bus, the tracks of the train, or the rush of traffic amusing. That’s why it’s called white noise. Most people don’t actively listen to it. Every now and then though, I resort to tradition by removing my earbuds and listen to myself walk, hearing my feet hit the pavement and everything that surrounds me, including those private bubbles. 

According to the book, “The Soundscape” by R. Murray Schafer, the author argues that people should seek a way to make environmental acoustics a positive study program. He develops soundscape theory and  makes a lot research to propose that soundscape is composed by sound and landscape. Schafer’s theory of soundscape is extremely useful because it sheds light on the difficult problem of noise. As he argues, the management of noise is not only sound, it also is a environmental concern. When we live in New York City, we tend to think of outdoor sounds as noise, such as the sound of car horns, the sound of ancient subways and all kinds of sounds of people taking. When we only think these sounds as noise, they are regarded as a kind of waste. However, soundscape theory treats sound as a resource. It take advantage of sound from the perspective of environment and so on. When we are in an environment, we should distinguish the sound source and focus on more preferred sounds, and use them to mask the unwanted ones, then reducing some sounds what we unwanted. What’s more, different sounds in different environments will make people produce different emotions. We need to protect and use some kinds of special sounds because they are already embedded in people’s minds. For example, the bell of the end of class, the sound of the subway door will be opened and the sound of police car passing. Soundscape is that people use some specific sounds or create some sounds in some environment to reduce the sound that people do not like. My grandfather is an architect, my hometown’s house is near the highway, so any sounds from the road becomes a sound that we don’t like. Therefore, grandfather planted some bamboos to reduce the noise. We like the sounds of bamboo blown by the wind.

Living in a big, noisy city is a challenge for anyone who decides to live there. Walking on crowded streets, hearing tons of different sounds or noise and adjusting to a fast-paced lifestyle might cause some anxiety and panic attacks. On the podcast “Ways Of Hearing”, Krukkowsi says: “In Tokyo’s subway, people pretend sleeping in order to avoid eye contact. Here, people use earbuds to avoid ear contact with others.” Creating your own personal, invisible bubble by using earbuds make us feel like we are in a different habitat until we take them off. It gives us a temporary privilege to feel that we are in a different room or place without physically leaving the environment. Although I never have had a problem with noise, I believe that some people need to use earbuds or similar kinds of devices to be in their comfort zone and in order to feel safe. I was born in Istanbul. After college, I moved to London and then 3 years after I decided to live in the Big Apple. Living a big city for my entire life taught me how to ignore the noise. I can even say I enjoy hearing them. On the other hand, my ex-wife had anxiety and panic attacks. Because of environmental reasons, one day she blew up and had to leave to city to live back in her hometown in Pittsburgh. This personal anecdote illustrates how some technological devices have a good, useful impact on people who need to use it for their own peace. 

Listening to “Ways of seeing “podcast really opened my eyes to the truth that everyone is now wrapped in their own bubbles. We use our social media and music to block out the world. For me, the music is an escape. I know some may believe it is a safety hazard or I’m not” living in the moment” . But when we think of all that is outside, especially living in New York City, you have to ask yourself do you truly want to live In the moment. Whether it’s the police sirens, a couple arguing, or racial slurs, none of the sounds of New York City at this time is a moment I want to live in. The inspiration that someone may face in New York, uncontrollably, does not reign the same. So although the bubble may come with a fear of negatives. It helps someone stay zen. It allows us to create a safe space in a world where safety is a constant concern from all angles. Those “living in the moment” times that everyone expects to happen in the world of the public, happen in the true world of personal life. Leaving that bubble to create those moments with your family and close friends, where we all practice the concept of cancelling out the background noise and honing in  on the real interactions that truly matters.