That Sounds Interesting…

… it’s that internal voice responding to auditory signals that have captured my attention.  Not everything does, catch my attention that is,… a lot of it is just there, as if an audio backchannel.  But discerning the good from the bad is getting more and more difficult, due to the shear number and volume level of sounds our mind processes on a daily basis.  A certain amount of the ‘good stuff’ we create through our individual iPod, MP3, Bose stereo, surround-sound TV lifestyle.  But even when it is something we have selected, sometimes we are listening and other times not.  I know I do.  Put on a head set and crank up the sound,… but not because I’m listening to the music.  It’s because it helps me concentrate on what I really want to be attentive to.  Not only does it block out much of the ‘noise’ around me; it’s as if it tricks my mind into focusing even more intently, to not let the music through.

And there is no more challenging place to concentrate than in today’s office (whether outside or inside a cubicle).  Office sounds are multiplying, triggered by the use of cell phones, personal speakers, desktop video, etc.  I’ve heard this problem referred to as today’s ‘second hand smoke’.  The initial promise years ago was that general masking systems (also referred to as ‘white noise’) would be ‘the’ answer.  And to some extent, with improvements in its basic technology it is much better,… certainly better than the echo-like silence you have without it.  It has its problems though.  Within any work group you’re sure to find those that think the ‘white noise’ is much too loud (some say the ringing it creates in their ears is actually painful) and others who would prefer it be dialed-up.  A better solution would be one that could be set by the user within ‘zones’ on a floor, so the masking over your work area is tailored to your liking.  Or better yet, a zoned system that dynamically adjusts based on its electronics sensing presence (number of people) and the amount of sound being generated,… think of it as room-sized noise cancelling headphones.

I’ve concluded that some office noise, even beyond white noise, is better than no noise at all.  Bill Freund, an entrepreneur, thinks so as well, as he offers a CD called Thriving Office,… that is filled with office background noise (ringing tones, file cabinets closing, general conversations, etc.).  It has two tracks; one titled “Busy” and the other title -- you guessed it – “Very Busy” (a lot more noise I guess).  His inspiration came from working at home, and not wanting the people calling him to know that.  So the idea is that you could turn this CD on when a phone call came in, and the caller would assume they are calling ‘the office’.  And it worked.  He also heard from his customers that many keep the CD on all the time, because it helps them focus.  This background ‘buzz’ keeps their energy up and mind in the game,… and I agree (for the reason I mentioned above).

The key distinction between sounds that are disruptive and sounds that are productive is their intelligibility – do your senses pick up something that grabs your attention or not…?  If your mind hears something that you recognize, and which peaks your curiosity, then your concentration shifts,… from what you were working on to trying to decipher and process what you just heard.  That’s why verbal conversations are some of the most disruptive.  You hear names, keywords, or phrases that draw you in (even though you’re generally not supposed to be listening in),… and your attention shifts.  Then once you decide it’s not that important, or the conversation ends, it takes some time to get back in the ‘flow’ (that deep, focused state).  The only option you have if there is too much conversation around you, is to seek a space that is free of such interruptions.  Hopefully your office has a place like this (maybe the café, maybe a conference room, maybe smaller spaces we call enclaves or retreats),… and if not, tell your facilities group you need more quiet zones.

So the technologies will continue to improve.  Some will capture sound so it doesn’t find it’s way to another’s ears,… and some will create sound to cancel out unwanted sounds.  In either case, the objective is to create a balance.  Add productive sounds that create focus, and subtract disruptive sounds that destroy focus.  Until the technologies catch up, we can all help the cause by being conscious of those around us,… and regulating our volume appropriately.  Instead of forcing someone else to walk away to find a quiet space, get up and walk away and leave the quiet behind.  Sound about right…?

Comments

[Mark Greiner]

Intelligibility is a key factor in the 'bother me' quotient.

Mark

[John Beck Tax Foreclosure]

I think that the key distinction between sounds that are disruptive and sounds that are productive is their intelligibility.

[Martina]

How intersting this speaker sound.

[Paul King]

"So the technologies will continue to improve. Some will capture sound so it doesn’t find it’s way to another’s ears,… and some will create sound to cancel out unwanted sounds. In either case, the objective is to create a balance. Add productive sounds that create focus, and subtract disruptive sounds that destroy focus. Until the technologies catch up, we can all help the cause by being conscious of those around us,… and regulating our volume appropriately. Instead of forcing someone else to walk away to find a quiet space, get up and walk away and leave the quiet behind. Sound about right…?"

There is of course a third choice - teach people to focus regardless of the sound around them, the mood they are in, the restlessness they feel, the distractions they see, etc.