When Music Gets Too Loud (No, Really)

Among many other characteristics, Boston is a thunderous cacophony of a town. In other words, it’s really, really loud—so loud that its native sons and daughters are commonly hard-of-hearing before reaching their thirties. But there is a form of noise pollution that just about anyone can relate to, that doesn’t involve heavy traffic or bustling public venues: music played at excessively high volumes.

One possible reason why blasting music is so commonly accepted is the classic stigmatization of old-timers yelling at their neighbors to “turn that racket down!” I for one am still determined not to act in such a way when I become elderly.

Regardless, the audible-offensiveness of music still exists, so how are people expected to deal with it in a way that isn’t considered equally offensive? Through experience and thoughtful consideration, this columnist was able to come up with a couple of suggestions for handling inconsiderate music-lovers in ways that are both friendly and amusing.

For instance, the next time you hear/feel the thump of a tricked out car stereo blasting the latest rap single, there needn’t be any confrontation. Instead as the car approaches, flash the rock-on hand signal to the driver as you break into a passionate fit of head-banging synced rhythmically to the music—it doesn’t really matter what kind of music you’re actually in to, just as long as it’s different from what’s being played in the car.

A similar action can be taken against those wearing earphones; however, if it concerns a style of music that you genuinely like, the other person’s blasting aside, a solution still exists: grab the person’s attention long enough for them to momentarily take off the headphones, and ask them a question about the song that they were listening to. Not only will they be delighted to be acquainted to someone with presumably similar tastes, but they will also realize that you could hear the music when you shouldn’t have been able to.

In the grand scheme of modern music culture, including advances in mp3 player technology and piracy that devalue the work of musicians, something must be done if it will continue being appreciated.