Stopped for gas yesterday and was horrified to hear the gas pump blasting an audio commercial from its tinny speakers. I'm sure you've heard them before too. "Stop inside for an ice cold refreshment. 20 ounce soda on sale for . . . blah blah blah."
On an endless loop the disembodied female voice urged me and my fellow gas pumpers to buy buy buy more stuff. The volume was so loud it hurt my ears, but there was no escape from the deafening commercial. There was no way to turn it off. It was literally painful.
A man's voice took over and announced, "You're listening to Gas Station Radio." Somehow, by calling it radio, we're supposed to enjoy it. Who are they kidding?
All of our open spaces are being plastered over with screens trying to dazzle us into buying something. All of our silent moments are being shouted over. Emptiness and quiet are endangered species on the verge of extinction, drowned out by the new normal.
Noise is the new litter.
Noise is the new litter.