Noise

Press, 2 March 1984, Page 14

Noise

Sir,—With J. D. Watson and other correspondents, I feel deep concern about the noise nightmare created by both public and private groups of musicians. People of senior generations in our own and other countries need to mount a universal campaign to convince the juniors of the superiority of medium-to-soft music while a few

of them can still hear it. By following blindly the vogue for excessive decibels at close quarters, the young are courting deafness and. impaired enjoyment, plus endangering the mental health of innocent victims. I make no apology for setting older against younger, and if possible, girl friend against boy friend (a little Lysistrata treatment perhaps). But I advocate a campaign of sweet reasonableness, not bitter combat. A start could be musical commercials on radio and television demonstrating that “soft is beautiful.” A dedicated crusader with ample time and funds is needed to initiate such a campaign.—Yours, etc., G. M. BARKER. February 28, 1984.

Sir,—l could complain about the noisy intersection just outside my house, but I will not, because I accept it as part of life in the city. So should aircraft noises and the occasional rock concert or powerboat race be tolerated. People who demand peace and quiet all of the time should go and live out Darfield way.—Yours, etc., STEVE CULLEN. February 29, 1984.