the sound of the city

The forces of  communication technology encourage separation and distance but this feeling of separation and aloneness is one of the anxieties spoken about by people with depression. Maybe that has something to do with the increasing pervasiveness of the written as opposed to the spoken word as people rely on Whatsapp, SMS, messenger rather than phone calls?

Recent research that has shown that teenagers are happy to use mental health apps may be because they are more accustomed to this channel of communication but not necessarily that there would not be more effective channels.

How far can communication happen across class, neighbourhood, race etc. Do we have to take that into account when we try and encourage communication with the tree or through the tree?

Should the communications be private or in the public realm or should some be in one and some the other. One should be able to choose. Maybe one wants to record a poem about ones feelings for others to hear but confide one’s pain privately or speak to another sufferer without being recorded or overheard.

Mattern describes the use of sound to promote a sense of belonging and uniting. Her examples of the National Socialists is obviously not positive but maybe there are affirming ways that one could use the tree and its environment to encourage a sense of belonging through joint sound making such as singing or creating instruments that would give a positive experience of being part of something which is important for self worth.

We have thought about using music and sound to create another sense reflecting the mood of the neighbourhood and partly to make the tree more accessible say, to the blind who cannot appreciate the coloured lights and words. However the description of the call to prayer and the bells reminds one that sound is often a political and certainly a cultural issue. When would it be appropriate for the sounds to be available to all and when must it be muffled or heard through earphones or in a restricted area such as a kiosk? Although foliage does apparently muffle sounds.

One of the issues of living in a city that leads to mental health issues is a feeling of insecurity and we have already looked at the use of lights and lighting to help make people feel safer. Mattern suggests that sound can also fulfil this function. though this might be an emotional feeling of security rather than a rational one!

Finally there is a plea to not to over plan and leave room for unplanned communications. I think we have recognised for using the flexibility of technology to allow our trees to reflect and encourage their environment and the needs of the citizens of a particular neighbourhood. Functions and representations can be modified, switched on and off….