[78-L] fwd: The Fading Sounds of Analog Technology

[Steven C. Barr]

From: "Julian Vein" <julianvein at blueyonder.co.uk>
> Funny thing is, we’re replacing these sounds mainly with… nothing! What’s 
> the
> sound of broadband? Of rewinding a CD?
> The point, of course, is that as digital technology takes over, we’re 
> losing
> the sounds of analog technologies. And sometimes that’s a real loss. Cash
> registers don’t go "ka-ching" anymore, either. But we still SAY 
> "ka-ching," and
> there’s your proof — sometimes, our culture simply cries out for a certain
> audio meme, a certain sonic cue that used to have real meaning.
>
> Every now and then, in fact, you find a case where the old analog audio 
> cue is
> so important, the manufacturer actually installs a recorded version of 
> it —
> right into the otherwise silent digital device — because the sound has a
> purpose. Digital cameras, for example, play a digitized version of an 
> analog
> shutter. I recently tested an electric motorcycle that plays a recording 
> of a
> gas motorcycle, just so you don’t mow down unsuspecting citizens sharing 
> the
> roadway with you.
>
> I’m not going to play Andy Rooney here and bemoan the pace of 
> technological
> progress. Something’s always lost when we move from one format to another;
> that’s just the way it goes.
>
> At the same time, I’d like to commemorate the loss of those record 
> scratches,
> busy signals, tape-rewinding chatters, and ka-chings. Maybe with a moment 
> of
> silence.
>
The next generation of sound...digital and CD-based (or whatever
replaces CD's...?!)...will be mostly silence...?! Our "landline" telephones
will be replaced by Internet-based communications. Welcome to the
XXI Jahrhundert...and if you're over thirty, die as quickly as possible
since you are too expensive to keep alive in a NON-contributory
position...! I suspect t5his new generation will NOT be too happy
to support we aging baby-boomers...?!

Steven C. Barr