Reading: "The Aesthetics of Noise"

I read "The Aesthetics of Noise" by Torben Sanglid primarily because I thought it would be an historical view on noise.  I enjoy history and thought it would be a more traditional article tracing the evolution of noise and sound.

I believe the main point of this essay was now noise has evolved from the beginning of mankind where it was a concept controlled by priests and was mystical, to the present state where there is an abundance of man and machine-made noise.  I was also perplexed at the idea that we are tired of the classic musical sounds such as Beethoven and Wagner and that we much prefer the urban noise that surrounds us.  I'm hoping the writer was being sarcastic.

I think that as a student of film, I have paid very little attention to the sound in films, with the thought that it is the video that makes a film great.  This essay, however, drives home the point that the sound is a vital part of the film and that as much energy should be put into creating new sounds that will enhance the film experience.  Doing the sound walks has made me listen more and appreciate the sounds which we usually take for granted.