What the Hills Are Alive With: In Defense of the Sounds of Nature John Andrew Fisher

Introduction We have approached nature appreciation in the same manner that we approach art appreciation We have approached nature appreciation in the same manner that we approach art appreciation Some of these parallels do not exist when evaluating the sounds of nature Some of these parallels do not exist when evaluating the sounds of nature Music is viewed by theory Music is viewed by theory It can be perfectly reproduced It can be perfectly reproduced It is a mistake to assume that the Aesthetics of Nature will parallel the Aesthetics of Art. It is a mistake to assume that the Aesthetics of Nature will parallel the Aesthetics of Art.

Soundscapes and Soundscape Events A soundscape is all of the sounds in a given environment. A soundscape is all of the sounds in a given environment. Can be natural, manmade, or mixed Can be natural, manmade, or mixed Contains all theses sounds as they occur temporally and spatially. Contains all theses sounds as they occur temporally and spatially. So we refer to the soundscape of a certain location through a set time. So we refer to the soundscape of a certain location through a set time. This is what Fisher believes is the appropriate object for the aesthetic appreciation of sounds. This is what Fisher believes is the appropriate object for the aesthetic appreciation of sounds.

Individual Sounds Why can’t we remove one sound and appreciate it? Why can’t we remove one sound and appreciate it? Like in the object view, we may perceive an object differently when it is removed from the environment. Like in the object view, we may perceive an object differently when it is removed from the environment. Sounds vary greatly from place to place, such as the sounds of wind, rain, or surf. Sounds vary greatly from place to place, such as the sounds of wind, rain, or surf. Sounds also vary over time: be it over the course of a day or the change of seasons Sounds also vary over time: be it over the course of a day or the change of seasons

Soundscapes as “the Containing Space of Sounds” May include the full spectrum of sounds or various subsets over a period of time May include the full spectrum of sounds or various subsets over a period of time Includes typical sounds of a location. Includes typical sounds of a location. But, Typical does not necessarily mean frequent... But, Typical does not necessarily mean frequent... Soundscape of Charleston, SC on Sept 21, 1989 Soundscape of Charleston, SC on Sept 21, 1989 So, What counts? So, What counts? The traffic outside of St. Peter’s Square? The traffic outside of St. Peter’s Square? The airplane overhead in the wilderness? The airplane overhead in the wilderness? Wild pea pods popping? Wild pea pods popping?

Disregarding Sounds Around Us We tune out some sounds in order to focus on others We tune out some sounds in order to focus on others Ignore traffic to focus on conversation Ignore traffic to focus on conversation This is a learned behavior This is a learned behavior We still do, however, value the sounds of nature We still do, however, value the sounds of nature Wilderness as “areas with outstanding opportunities for solitude” Wilderness as “areas with outstanding opportunities for solitude” Kaluli tribe models their music after the sounds of nature Kaluli tribe models their music after the sounds of nature

Music vs. Non-Music We have come to view any sound that is not music as its opposite. We have come to view any sound that is not music as its opposite. Sounds have become a hindrance to musical enjoyment Sounds have become a hindrance to musical enjoyment Indoor living and “containers of silence” Indoor living and “containers of silence” Just because a sound is not produced to be pleasing does not imply that it cannot be so. Just because a sound is not produced to be pleasing does not imply that it cannot be so.

Sound of the Land Different parts of a landscape have different sounds Different parts of a landscape have different sounds Valleys and Mountains have different sounds. Valleys and Mountains have different sounds. Collectively, they make up the soundscape of a mountain range Collectively, they make up the soundscape of a mountain range Unlike a visual image, we cannot take in the entire soundscape of large natural environments. Unlike a visual image, we cannot take in the entire soundscape of large natural environments. You cannot hear the Rocky Mountains as you see them on the horizon You cannot hear the Rocky Mountains as you see them on the horizon You must, instead, consider the multiple smaller soundscapes that make up the larger whole. You must, instead, consider the multiple smaller soundscapes that make up the larger whole.

Objectivity People react to sounds in different ways People react to sounds in different ways Some find bird calls to be beautiful Some find bird calls to be beautiful Others find them annoying Others find them annoying Natural objects are not as easily categorized as art objects. Natural objects are not as easily categorized as art objects. Carlson: “Some aesthetic judgments of nature are objectively true, and others false Carlson: “Some aesthetic judgments of nature are objectively true, and others false Tetons are Majestic vs Tetons are Dumpy Tetons are Majestic vs Tetons are Dumpy

Two Types of Objectivity Responses should be guided by the object Responses should be guided by the object This is true of any aesthetic judgement This is true of any aesthetic judgement Fisher accepts this Fisher accepts this Responses should be universally agreeable Responses should be universally agreeable Usually seen as following from guidance by object Usually seen as following from guidance by object Fisher disagrees Fisher disagrees Tetons are Majestic because the object helps define what majestic means Tetons are Majestic because the object helps define what majestic means Other cases are not so obvious, such as bird calls. Other cases are not so obvious, such as bird calls.

Framing Aesthetic Appreciation is more undetermined with sound than visual aesthetics Aesthetic Appreciation is more undetermined with sound than visual aesthetics Natural sounds lack many framing norms Natural sounds lack many framing norms No defined length or meter No defined length or meter No intentional focus No intentional focus No defined key or pitches No defined key or pitches No exclusion of certain sounds No exclusion of certain sounds We can frame individual sounds, but framing soundscape events is somewhat arbitrary. We can frame individual sounds, but framing soundscape events is somewhat arbitrary.

Framing (cont.) Music can be framed by piece Music can be framed by piece Each piece of music is reproducible. Each piece of music is reproducible. Individual performances of a piece are duplicates Individual performances of a piece are duplicates Some of the aesthetic value of a natural soundscape could plausibly be due to its uniqueness. Some of the aesthetic value of a natural soundscape could plausibly be due to its uniqueness. “It is implausible to claim that we have significant conventions about how to frame sound events within soundscapes” “It is implausible to claim that we have significant conventions about how to frame sound events within soundscapes” Therefore, responses will be undetermined as well. Therefore, responses will be undetermined as well.

Ways of Listening Even within the same frame, different cultures lack agreement in the aesthetics of sounds Even within the same frame, different cultures lack agreement in the aesthetics of sounds “Certain Ears” listen in certain ways. “Certain Ears” listen in certain ways. Droning of bagpipes vs Dissonance of steel drums Droning of bagpipes vs Dissonance of steel drums Tractor as a bass line. Tractor as a bass line. Kaluli as “a part of their environment” Kaluli as “a part of their environment” They find overlapping sounds, such as those of the jungle, to be aesthetically pleasing They find overlapping sounds, such as those of the jungle, to be aesthetically pleasing Others would find these noises to be “cacophonic”, but have no problem with the sounds of the hustle and bustle of a big city. Others would find these noises to be “cacophonic”, but have no problem with the sounds of the hustle and bustle of a big city.

Ambiguity Roger Scruton – “much of music criticism consists of the deliberate construction of an intentional object from the infinitely ambiguous instructions implicit in a sequence of sounds” Roger Scruton – “much of music criticism consists of the deliberate construction of an intentional object from the infinitely ambiguous instructions implicit in a sequence of sounds” Nature sounds are many times more ambiguous Nature sounds are many times more ambiguous No relational theory or “music culture” No relational theory or “music culture” There are an infinite number of structures we may place upon natural sounds There are an infinite number of structures we may place upon natural sounds As long as they can be justified, then they are all equally legitimate As long as they can be justified, then they are all equally legitimate

Conclusion Aesthetic appreciation of natural sounds is appropriate, even though it has even fewer constraints than appreciation of music or appreciation of natural visible beauty Aesthetic appreciation of natural sounds is appropriate, even though it has even fewer constraints than appreciation of music or appreciation of natural visible beauty What are some of these constraints? What are some of these constraints? Soundscape event: The location and duration of the sounds being appreciated Soundscape event: The location and duration of the sounds being appreciated Framing: Which sounds are focused on, and which are ignored? Framing: Which sounds are focused on, and which are ignored?

Final Thoughts Could Heyd’s idea of aesthetic endurance help one increase the boundaries of a soundscape event? Could Heyd’s idea of aesthetic endurance help one increase the boundaries of a soundscape event? Why can you not enjoy an individual sound? Is there anything wrong with “a sound in a box”? Why can you not enjoy an individual sound? Is there anything wrong with “a sound in a box”? Given this view, What exactly is the object of appreciation in a soundscape event? Given this view, What exactly is the object of appreciation in a soundscape event? Sound Sculpture of Nature Sound Sculpture of Nature Sound Sculpture of Nature Sound Sculpture of Nature