HANGZHOU—Prof. Wang Jing from the College of Media and International Culture (CMIC) at Zhejiang University recently gave a speech on TEDxNingbo. The topic was “How Sound and Listening Shape New Ways of Thinking”.

As a sound anthropologist, Prof. Wang focused on the relationships between sound environment, sound culture, sound perception and living organisms. After a brief introduction, Prof. Wang illustrated the limitation of “soundscape” in that it is defined by visual senses. She pointed out that “only by digging out its thinking value from the characteristics of sound and listening can we discover a set of auditory wisdom that is different from that of vision and image.” She then made an in-depth analysis of two closely related ways of perception–symbolic thinking through visualization and relational and systematic thinking through auditory perception–which can still be found in some cultures.

In addition, she elaborated on the significance of sound in modern life. Listening is a way to establish connection with unfamiliar surroundings. Though not necessarily an active experience, it is nowhere near passive either, as listening serves as a means to build rapport and resonance with the environment.

At last, Prof. Wang advocated for a renewed practice of this relational and systematic approach of listening as it could enhance sensory perception, which, in turn, would be positive in uplifting the spirit of the people.