The headphone is a piece of modern marvel, or at least that's the way I see it. Miniature speakers ever ready to "sound off" and almost part of everyone's accessory.
I am not a very regular walker. My passion to walk does not meet the action plan charted but then I have enjoyed the "many" few taken. The headphone has been a faithful companion on such walks channeling music for an almost idyllic walk and at other times challenging the pace to be picked up. It is almost a common sight to see people plugged in whether they be walking like me, taking a ride, waiting for someone or even sitting with someone.
However, for all its credits, it can isolate a person from the "world" around him. As much as I celebrate its ability to give me my private space and cheer me, I am wary of its ability to make me deaf to the bigger world around. The trail I walk has trees that rise tall and in those trees are birds. Birds calling out as the sun rises and its rays softly light up the view. For all their calling, I am oblivious to their presence because my headphones makes sure I hear nothing more than what it wills for me to. The noises gets drowned out and cancelled and I walk alone in the midst of the bustling nature around. I have at another time gone without my headphones, unplugged with no gadgets attached and nature offered its "music"-birds calling out in the trees, the wind passing through the leaves, the stream trickling down which will soon run dry with the approaching season, the "pitter-patter" of another person running downhill. I have stood in a square unplugged and the world offered its noises-a busy traffic intersection with cars honking, taxis calling, and the sound of constant movements, a world of chaotic noises and yet with a certain order. I have sat unplugged in a corner and listen to the voices of the people, words spoken as they walked by, customers bargaining with the seller, words of delight and greeting at "chance" meetings, casual conversations and serious ones.
There is a world of sounds out there, a world of voices waiting to be heard. Go Unplugged!
I am not a very regular walker. My passion to walk does not meet the action plan charted but then I have enjoyed the "many" few taken. The headphone has been a faithful companion on such walks channeling music for an almost idyllic walk and at other times challenging the pace to be picked up. It is almost a common sight to see people plugged in whether they be walking like me, taking a ride, waiting for someone or even sitting with someone.
However, for all its credits, it can isolate a person from the "world" around him. As much as I celebrate its ability to give me my private space and cheer me, I am wary of its ability to make me deaf to the bigger world around. The trail I walk has trees that rise tall and in those trees are birds. Birds calling out as the sun rises and its rays softly light up the view. For all their calling, I am oblivious to their presence because my headphones makes sure I hear nothing more than what it wills for me to. The noises gets drowned out and cancelled and I walk alone in the midst of the bustling nature around. I have at another time gone without my headphones, unplugged with no gadgets attached and nature offered its "music"-birds calling out in the trees, the wind passing through the leaves, the stream trickling down which will soon run dry with the approaching season, the "pitter-patter" of another person running downhill. I have stood in a square unplugged and the world offered its noises-a busy traffic intersection with cars honking, taxis calling, and the sound of constant movements, a world of chaotic noises and yet with a certain order. I have sat unplugged in a corner and listen to the voices of the people, words spoken as they walked by, customers bargaining with the seller, words of delight and greeting at "chance" meetings, casual conversations and serious ones.
There is a world of sounds out there, a world of voices waiting to be heard. Go Unplugged!
"UNPLUGGED" Superb thoughts @evryan. Challenges my mind to be more aware of my environment.
ReplyDeleteA very very late reply. . But thanks. . And if you're there "happy listening! " :-)
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