The Noisy Ape

First broadcast February 2005
Mankind has spent the entire last century making itself louder. A great deal louder. But why? And what are the consequences?

Louise Fryer investigates in this four-part series on BBC World Service.

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PARTS IN THE SERIES:

Part 1: Noise means power"Can over-powering noise be pleasurable?"

Part 2: Noise is bad for you"What can be done to protect us?"

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Read & Listen

Part 3: Noise can be curbed"Taking noise pollution seriously"

Part 4: Noise is big business"Research into noise reduction"

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Read & Listen

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Part 1: Noise means power

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In the town of Richmond, Virginia, a long-drawn battle is going on. On one side are lovers of boom cars and loud exhausts, on the other people who defend their right to quiet in their own homes. Can the two ever co-exist?

Delhi, India has a set of different but just as intractable noise problems. At the heart of them is a power struggle between dominant and submissive neighbours.

And why do millions of young people expose themselves weekly in clubs to amplified sound levels guaranteed to damage their hearing permanently?

Is there pleasure to be had from surrendering your consciousness to over-powering noise?

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