Daniel Biskup Approx. 190 words
INTD 105
10/31/16
Tingley’s piece focuses on the efforts of Davyd Betchkal to preserve the natural soundscape of wilderness in a world of increasing noise pollution from human beings. Betchkal has created areas to record natural sound in Denali National Park, to keep records of soundscapes that in the coming future may be lost forever as noise pollution increases.
Past research has shown that sound has an important role in the interactions between species in natural landscapes, such as mating and warning calls, or sounds created by natural events that signal the surrounding animal life.
Having lived near New York City for most of my life, this piece reminds me of all the noise pollution in my area. At night in my home town, I usually hear airplanes, trains, and cars from the lines and highways that run through my town. After coming to Geneseo one of the first differences I noticed was how much easier it was to hear crickets both at night and during the day. This one noise helps me to understand the spectrum of natural sound that Betchkal is trying to preserve.