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Hello, again!
it’s been a while. I’m gonna give Tumblr another try.
Symphony of the everyday
Tod Machover of the MIT Media Lab asks Detroit Citizens to record every sounds to make a new symphony of the city.
The unspoken rules for inter-apartment “thin wall” interaction
1. “Don’t verbally respond to voices from beyond the wall”
2. “If you can hear them, they can probably hear you too”
Dominic Wilcox
Code for Noise Levels NYC
Sounds of the CitySound levels vary depending on one’s distance from the noise source.Below are some frequently heard sounds and their approximate decibel levels at common distances from the noise source. When designated as “dB(A),” as seen below, the measurement is weighted in the “A” scale to simulate human hearing.
Whisper …………………………………………………. 30 dB(A)
Normal Conversation/Laughter …………………. 50 – 65 dB(A)
Vacuum Cleaner at 10 feet ……………………….. 70 dB(A) Washing
Machine/Dishwasher ………………….. 78 dB(A)
Midtown Manhattan Traffic Noise ……………… 70 – 85 dB(A)
Motorcycle …………………………………………….. 88 dB(A)
Lawnmower …………………………………………… 85 – 90 dB(A)
Train ……………………………………………………… 100 dB(A)
Jackhammer/Power Saw …………………………. 110 dB(A)
Thunderclap …………………………………………… 120 dB(A)
Stereo/Boom Box …………………………………… 110 – 120 dB(A)
Nearby Jet Takeoff ………………………………….. 130 dB(A)
source: http://www.nyc.gov/html/dep/pdf/noise_code_guide.pdf
Zimoun - 25 woodworms, wood, microphone, sound system, 2009
Para-fact
“Parafictioneers produce and manage plausibility. But plausibility (as opposed to accuracy) is an attribute not of a story or image but of its encounter with viewers, whose various configurations of knowledge and “horizons and expectation” determine whether something is plausible to them.”
More Real
pg. 135
Renter’s Guide to Sound: A stunning modern loft built for listening
A stunning, modern loft built for living. Listening. You must not be easily offended by surrounding conversations including an overt misogynist with a high pitched voice on the southern wall. Huge spacious closets with built in organizers. If the closet door is closed, it does a decent job of muffling these high-pitched conversations. Laundry is available in the building. The previously mentioned neighbor does their laundry in their apartment every Saturday; which you will come to recognize as a buzzing hum against the living room wall. This smartly renovated, one-bathroom home boasts stunning high ceilings. There is a couple that is constantly re-enacting a breakup on the eastern wall of the bedroom. There is also an adorable half bath with an original sink and antique toilet. For optimal listening of these dramatic re-enactments, sit on the toilet directly underneath the bathroom ventilation between 9pm and 2am. The newly renovated kitchen, boasts custom cabinets and stainless steel appliances, opens directly to the spacious dining area, perfect for hosting guests. The kitchen will be noisy on Tuesday evenings when the apartment across the hall hosts drunken trivia night. Beautiful parquet floors can be seen throughout the apartment. Downstairs neighbors have complained and the lease now prohibits walking in the apartment while wearing shoes, especially high-heeled ones. The master bedroom has an additional lofted area and is currently used as a home office. If you press your ear to the wall, you can hear a television that has not been turned off in nearly two years. There are multiple cable service providers for this building. Every Sunday morning vacuuming can be heard directly upstairs at 11am; which will remind you to look around and realize that you should probably do the same. The open house will be from 11am to 2pm this Sunday.

