Sarah Kuta: Loud and proud - or are we?

Ah, the sweet sound of … traffic? A blaring television? Machinery? A stereo? Construction?

Whatever happened to good ol' silence? I'd even settle for chirping birds.

It seems as though "peace and quiet" has put its tail between its legs and hightailed it out of America, sprinting with its hands over its ears toward the hills from "The Sound of Music." Even the sweet yodeling sounds of Julie Andrews are better than the new kind of mogul that's waffle-stomping our great country: noise.

The inventions of the radio and subsequently the television were huge bounds for modern technology. The war was going strong, and by golly, people wanted to know what was going on down there on the fronts. The radio facilitated presidential hopefuls' campaigns by broadcasting their voices and ideals into homes all across the nation. What could be better?

But television would soon take the cake, as viewers could watch moving pictures without -- and then, eventually, with -- sounds to stimulate the imagination. Now Americans could not only hear the war but also see it as if they were standing on the front lines. Both of these innovative technologies were celebrated and cherished inventions.

Back in your own living room, some say living without television would be impossible. Others require music or talk radio from the moment they even think about driving somewhere. Essentially, blasting noise at all times is, well, essential.

Instead of enjoying the "outdoorsy" sounds of a city or rural area, joggers can now pace themselves with Beyoncé's latest hit. Having an actual conversation with a stranger in the doctor's office can now be effortlessly avoided this very same way. (Yes, Mom, I am condoning this behavior.)

Every bus trip I took for Grand Island Senior High this year had been looked upon with disdain because of the aforementioned annoyance. Coming home from a performance or long day, all I want to do is share some serene, noiseless time with my friends. Instead, I am bombarded and nonetheless forced to watch a $5 knockoff action movie because the boys at the front of the bus voted. The volume screams so loud that, even with headphones in, I can still hear the robot's feet crushing innocent bystanders on the pavement. This makes for a very grumpy Sarah -- and other bus-mates as well, I'm sure.

Finding time to yourself is difficult if not impossible in a society where we are encouraged to hustle around from place to place, day in and day out, because "at least you're staying out of trouble." Having a personal sanctuary and some "you" time definitely lends a hand to an all-over less stressful existence. In addition to the bustle of everyday life, thousands of decibels of sound also impede the progress of this alone time, making it an unattainable goal that many of us wonder why we never reach.

It seems that the reason many of us are reluctant to be content vegetating in silence may stem from insecurity. Are your people skills lacking? Are you happy with where you're at in life? Have you lost touch with good friends? Noise can help block out the feeling of insufficiency in any of these areas, but ultimately, dealing with buried issues is much better than hiding from them forever.

The good news is that noise pollution is a hindrance that the average Joe can actually do something about. Wash your car listening to the neighborhood children playing instead of the stereo. Turn off your iPod at your desk or in the halls and listen to the click-clack of the keyboard or shuffling of feet and laughter. At the dentist, make conversation over the top of the drill that's buzzing away in your mouth. You'll get a good laugh out of it at the least.

Next time, instead of stopping to smell the roses, just listen.

Sarah Kuta is a senior at Grand Island Senior High.