[chemeril]

I was raised on the plains of the Eastern Dakotas. The summers were always noisy: crickets, cicadas, coyotes, prairie dogs, wind, plenty to fill the air. The winters were incredibly austere, sometimes incomprehensibly so to those who haven't experienced them.

On particularly cold and windless days outdoors the silence is almost unbelievable. You hear your heartbeat, the snow underfoot crunches so loudly you cringe, and sounds travels so clearly and without interruption that a half-mile seems within arm's reach. It's absolutely surreal and can be very disorienting, almost like space compresses around you.

It was hard enough to live there in the 90s. I can't imagine how isolating it'd have been on a claim.

[wrycoder]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giants_in_the_Earth_(novel)

[bkjelden]

This was required reading in my high school english class in South Dakota, 15 or so years ago.

[astrange]

Sounds like a good place for a recording studio.

Meanwhile, I've been trying highly recommended headphones, and it turns out everyone loves open headphones with no sound isolation, but then I just hear cars outside, my fridge compressor running, computer fans…

[ryanmcbride]

Open headphones and sound isolating headphones are good for different things. I personally don't like closed back or sound isolating ones because I want to be able to hear what's going on around me.

[treeman79]

For adhd. Ear plugs are or similar is a handy trick for staying on task.

If I could turn off hearing while working I would.

[tsol]

If you're trying to block sound, IEMs are usually the way to go. A bit more expensive for comparable sound quality, but it's worth it for the increase in portability

[magicalhippo]

Yeah I got two, one open for when I want to really enjoy music or be available, and one closed for when I need to concentrate.

[halter73]

The snow itself also absorbs a lot of the sound.

[somenewaccount1]

Only took me 40 years to realize snow absorbed sound and that's why winter days with big snow always seemed quieter...they were.

[mannykannot]

Where I live is too urban for complete silence, but falling snow - especially big flakes - on calm days brings a serene hush.

[bfung]

Agree - growing up in the ‘burbs in the Midwest, it’s not quiet at all, but peacefully noisy with the animal sounds.

And if you do go out in the winter, perfect time to listen and know your body.

Between that extreme vs the always-on mobile-app notifications, I kinda miss the peaceful days…