The Psychology of Sound - Sonic Warfare

Sonic Warfare is an interesting and compelling look into the twisted history of sound and war. Author Steve Goodman writes of how sonic warfare implores readers to comprehend the power of sound as a form of confusion, subliminal messaging, irritation and attack. Often used as a tactic to disillusion and overwhelm opponents, sonic warfare has even been used as a weapon of death. Goodman outlines a long lineage of sound as a weapon throughout time. The psychological effects of sound make me never want to listen to music again.

One of many historical recaps that stands out to me is the discussion of Gilles Deleuze and Felix Guattari's A Thousand Plateaus. Goodman describes their prototype for destruction as a "vibrational field of rhythmic potential." Plainly put, rather than focusing on violence, this method would focus on rhythmic contagion -- using vibration force to inoculate enemies. This again, stands out to me as this is one of the ideas presented that does not necessarily involve excessive violence but more so sensorial and mental manipulation.