Why can't I hear that “still small voice”: Did Neolithic noise growth result in human “alienation from nature”?

Abstract

Did human consciousness change in the transition from the Paleolithic to the Neolithic era? Paleolithic humans lived with nature in small isolated groups of perhaps 30 to 150 people. For survival, Paleolithic hunter gatherers focused their auditory attention on recognizing emerging opportunities and threats. Consequently, Paleolithics were very attentive to weak background sounds. Sound levels often reached “din” levels but it was not noise. The soundscape was signal-rich, reflecting a healthy and resource-rich environment. Neurons of predator and prey evolved to facilitate recognition of the identity, condition, and intention of their natural sources. The Neolithic era that followed emphasized large scale agriculture and herding. Because of the need for organized labor Neolithic farmers were gradually distanced from nature and its sounds. Background sounds no longer signified major threats. With the emergence of cities, over time background sounds became noise. The Neolithic soundscape consisted largely of nearby human and agricultural sounds. So, Neolithic farmers gradually shifted their auditory attention to foreground sounds. Thus, Neolithics gradually lost aural contact with nature. Noise may be an important cause for “alienation from nature,” and for inattention to that “still small voice.”