How We Cancel the Noise: Mack Hagood on Sound, Tech, and Attention

I really enjoyed this opportunity to speak with Mack Hagood, author of Hush: Media and Sonic Self-Control, to explore how we use sound to manage our minds, moods, and modern lives. From white noise apps and noise-cancelling headphones to tinnitus and sound therapy, Mack helped me understand the complex relationship between media, technology, and the human need to tune in (or out). We discuss the surprising cultural history behind everyday sonic tools — from the 1964 Sleep-Mate sound conditioner to Irv Teibel’s visionary Environments recordings, to Dr. Amar Gopal Bose’s 1978 flight epiphany that led to noise-cancelling headphones. Mack reflected on teaching “The Smartphone in Society,” and concerns with both social media and streaming platforms. Towards the end of this conversation he explained why started his podcast Phantom Power and how his childhood in New Orleans eventually led him to the new field of sound scholarship.

Complete Show Notes with all the links!

Timestamps:

(00:00) Intro

(02:34) life as a guitarist, Pinetop

(05:47) tinnitus

(15:32) first white noise machine Sleep Mate

(22:54) Hush: Sonic Media and Sonic Self-Control, Irv Teibel environments series

(30:36) Bose noise-cancelling headphones

(35:30) Edison Realism test, how our listening is culturally conditioned

(41:03) other linked episodes and ways to support this series

(41:47) soundscapes, R. Murray Schafer, field recordings

(45:14) podcast Phantom Power

(49:02) Walkmans, consumption of music, white noise apps

(52:14) The Smartphone in Society, social media

(59:08) why Mack got into podcasting as a sound scholar, Liz Pelley, problems with Spotify

(01:08:07) how he became a sound scholar