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Apr 11, 2012

"A day of silence can be a pilgrimage in itself." --Hafiz

The Pursuit of Silence in A World of Noise

Writer George Prochnik says he's had a passion for silence as long as he can remember. "I can't sit in my house without hearing air conditioners. I worry about this layer of noise that's placed on top of infrastructure noise." In his new book, In Pursuit of Silence: Listening for Meaning in a World of Noise, Prochnik leaves the noisy confines of New York City and goes on a global quest to find those who still value silence. He examines the never-ending series of sounds that pervade his thoughts on a daily basis -- the traffic helicopters, the leaky iPods, the neighbors who hold loud parties -- and researches the scientific effects of noise on our bodies. This NPR article shares insights and an excerpt from his book.