CAROLINE ROBBINS| October 1, 2019| COLUMN

Sit by any individual, family, friend, or stranger, and within a few minutes an awkward or clipped conversation will begin to fill the strained air. Music, movies, or shows must be playing in the background for any task, regardless of how menial or repetitive. As a society, silence is a cause for fear, that we are somehow failing to connect with the world around us. We simply cannot handle more than a few minutes of quiet.

Americans in particular have lost an appreciation for simply existing without sound, between the constant bustle of the day and necessary conversation with everyone met. If a politician or Hollywood star is quiet for more than a day, news reporters are banging down their doors to find out why. Silence is seen as a form of aversion or exclusion, now carrying with it a negative connotation. And this negative connotation is dangerous for the future of progress of human interaction and society..

Multiple scientific studies have supported the notion that the human brain is able to comprehend, focus, and think more creatively when there is no noise. A 2013 study on brain cell growth in mice published in the Brain, Structure, and Function scientific journal, indicated that silence allowed more cell production in the hippocampus, which could lead to improved memory and recognition skills. Silence also allows for personal self-reflection, often resulting in more creative or unique outlooks on various conflicts facing an individual. Not to mention the decreased levels of stress due to less information for the brain to process, giving it time to clear itself, and causing the individual to relax.

Considering its benefits, one would think a society with multiple issues regarding mental health would support a natural and simple way to improve the quality of life. However, American culture tends to lean in the opposite direction.

It is considered rude to stay near the walls of parties and not converse with others. Talk shows run on into the late hours to fill up all available time. Students are often penalized for not participating in discussions, despite the fact they may be thinking of a different way to view the topic.

The Chronicle addressed this issue in 2017, labeling the problem “America’s extroverted bias,” given how Americans are typically pushed to be more boisterous and outgoing while quiet reflection is frowned upon. We are so bent on telling everyone to “be who you are,” but only if it means you can engage in conversation virtually every time you encounter another human being. Not only does this bias push introverts to the sidelines, it can also damage extroverts’ ability to reflect on themselves for a few moments, as silence is not confined to a singular personality trait.

The key to solving this issue is simple, yet will be incredibly uncomfortable. Silence must be normalized. It cannot be seen as a punishment or as a negative personality trait that hinders interaction. Rather it must be promoted as a logical and necessary component of society that allows time for creative reflection.

In a world built on the instantaneous and loud nature of modernization, this will be difficult. Not having something to fill the air can be eerie or awkward. But it is crucial that we hone this trait. We must be able to think for and about ourselves without another voice influencing our perceptions. When we are able to achieve a comfortable silence with others, we will be able to understand them in an entirely different light as we will be able to coexist, converse, and appreciate life without having the constant pain of needing words to fill that space.

Silence Is Necessary

CAROLINE ROBBINS| October 1, 2019| COLUMN