Silence: The Talk Show

Steve Scher
02/28/2008 at 9:00 a.m.

It may be ironic: A radio talk show about the value of silence. But if your auditory landscape seems overpopulated by the buzz of the highway and the continuing clatter of computer keyboards, where do you go to find peace and quiet? A secluded grove in a city park? A forest? A quiet room? Or perhaps you're terrified by silence and would never subject yourself to it voluntarily. Either way, call in and talk to our special guests about the power of silence.

Guests:
Steven J. Orfield founded Orfield Laboratories, a 35–year–old, multi–disciplinary lab in Minneapolis. Orfield Labs consults in acoustics and vibration, lighting and daylighting, audiovisual design, thermal comfort and indoor air quality. The laboratory includes a room that's recognized by Guinness World Records as the "quietest place on earth."
Gordon Hempton is an acoustic ecologist. He joins us by cell phone from the Hoh Valley Rain Forest, where he is currently on a hike.
Les Blomberg is executive director of the Noise Pollution Clearinghouse.
Melody Ivory walked away from a successful career as a professor at the University of Washington to "compose a life that inspires her to SING." One of her post–academic projects has been to design her own recording studio in her home.