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Summer season draws noise bullies

According to Websters, noise is “a sound that causes discomfort to the listener.” An unwanted sound, a pollutant (i.e. noise pollution). About 30 years ago, federal funding through the Environmental Protection Agency to study noise pollution and its effects on humans and society was cut. However, existing studies by the World Health Organization show noise pollution from trains, planes, vehicles, etc., have been associated with increased blood pressure and heart attacks among other maladies. Other studies associate noise pollution with aggression. Children unfortunately are the most susceptible to noise pollution.

So outside of noise pollution caused by public transportation like airports, subways, trains, what about individual transportation? What about loud motorcycles or amplified music systems/exhausts in cars? The EPA does have an online vehicle noise reporting site at www.epa.nsw.gov.au/noise/noisyexhaust.htm. But beyond this and some rarely enforced local noise ordinances – Durango’s municipal code on noise – I often wonder why individuals like to make loud transportation choices. One online article I found associated the production of loud sounds with self-esteem issues; that people get self-esteem, status or fulfillment via noise by exerting it as a form of power over others. Noise can be a bullying tool and can be a signature of masculine power.

This all makes sense to me when it comes to personal choice in making noise outside of necessity like construction, etc. Babies cry and make noise to get attention. Perhaps this is a bit overarching and simplistic, yet I have no problem with this descriptor for those who like to make a lot of noise as their personal choice of transportation in public at the expense of the public. In the end, noise disturbs the peace and the peaceful, while quiet never disturbs noise or the noisemaker. Here comes summer in downtown Durango! Don’t forget your earplugs.

Tim Thomas

Durango



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