The Need for [Digital] Silence
Taking a stroll between W 31st and S Aberdeen St in Chicago, IL, you will find a cozy and lovely Bed and Breakfast location. Opposite to Bosley Park, filled with Christian imagery, comfortable beds, and a scrumptious meal prepared by the monks every morning, the Benedictine Bed and Breakfast is a retreat in the midst of the noise effectuated by the wind, car honks, and people in its midst. The monks of the chapel next door have adopted the following phrase as their motto: “Silence in the city.”
I find their motto peculiar given that Chicago is not one of the busiest metropolis in the United States. With its multitude of parks, shores, and other public spaces, one can easily find silence without making the rigorous sacrifices demanded by the monastic life. However, the motto, succinct in nature, conveys a refreshing thought in the areas of discipline, digital minimalism, and the need for digital silence.
Digital Silence is a term from the music industry. It refers to “a digital audio signal in which a sequential set of samples contain the value of zero. When this sequence is converted to analog and sent through a monitor path, the ideal result is a period of silence.” Stepping aside from its technical definition, a search on the web about the topic will yield results ranging from a security and privacy consulting company, blogs on the matter of silence in the digital era, and an Urban Dictionary entry that caught my attention. The entry reads, “When you loose [sic] your data connection and your streaming music or movie stops playing.”
The definition from Urban Dictionary quickly reveals our 21st Century’s biggest nightmare: Losing data or Wi-Fi connection. As a millennial who grew up outside of the United States, I am very aware of developing countries where 3G connectivity is not present at all (let alone 5G). Growing up in the streets of Esteli, I remember being happy by the mere ability of sending a text message or making a phone call. During those days, pay-as-you-go cards were king and cell phones were not hyper connected. Long before the advent of the iPhone, cell phones were a tool for a quick relay of information or contacting a loved one in case of emergency. Those were the days when silence reigned and boredom expanded our creativity. Yet, these are no more.
Over the last few years, smartphones have become exponentially more powerful. We can use them to turn the lights in our house, help us communicate with people in the other side of the globe, and even pay for our groceries. Our dependency upon them continues to increase as they become an extension of ourselves. Thus, we ought to make space for silence. A period of time every week where we turn off the phone and recover our human interactions. No more sitting in the couch with the crystal slab or constantly interacting with our online friends. Rather, a time where we can grab a cup of coffee without the need to know the latest headline.
Mastering these periods of silence is not easy. We are so used to receiving constant stimuli that our brain does not desire interruptions. We want more every day, hour, and minute. A break is needed, however. In order to regain our sanity, creativity, and peace, we need to let go of the flashy colors emanating from our devices and re-engage with the palette found in the rocks, trees, and objects outside the walls. It is difficult, but wholly necessary.
Thus, consider taking some time off today and create a system where you can step out of the digital noise caused by all the notifications, messages, and pings that our devices bring. Even if its for 1 hour or 15 minutes, it will help you in the long term to appreciate those things that truly matter. And Maybe, just maybe, you will find “Silence in the City.”
