Julian Treasure - 5 ways to listen better

Summary

The speaker highlights the importance of conscious listening, noting that while we spend a lot of time hearing, we retain only a small portion of what we hear. He introduces listening as a skill that involves recognizing patterns and filtering sounds. He explains how modern distractions and noise have eroded our ability to listen carefully. To combat this, he suggests five practical exercises, including practicing silence and savoring mundane sounds, to enhance our listening. He advocates for teaching listening in schools to foster better understanding, connection, and ultimately, peace in society.

Takeaways

• 👂 We spend around 60% of our communication time listening, yet we only retain 25% of what we hear.
• 🧠 Listening is about making meaning from sound through mental processes like pattern recognition.
• 🎧 We use techniques such as recognizing patterns (like hearing our name in a noisy environment) and differencing (tuning out constant sounds).
• 🎚 Filters in our brain help us focus on specific sounds, but we are often unaware of them.
• 👫 Listening is crucial for relationships; intentional listening can strengthen connections.
• 📡 Sound helps place us in space and time, shaping our awareness of surroundings and the flow of time.
• 🔊 Modern technology, noise, and personal sound bubbles have reduced our ability and patience for active listening.
• 🌍 Conscious listening is essential for understanding and connecting with the world, and its loss can have serious consequences.
• 🛠 Five listening exercises to improve listening: silence, the mixer (focusing on sound layers), savoring, changing listening positions, and using the acronym RASA (Receive, Appreciate, Summarize, Ask).
• 🎓 Teaching listening in schools could create a world more connected, peaceful, and understanding.

Q & A

What is the main issue the speaker identifies regarding listening?

The speaker identifies that we are 'losing our listening'—meaning, although we spend around 60% of our communication time listening, we are not very good at it and only retain about 25% of what we hear.

How does the speaker define listening?

The speaker defines listening as 'making meaning from sound.' It is a mental process that involves extracting information from sounds using techniques like pattern recognition and filtering.

What are some techniques we use to process sound?

We use techniques such as pattern recognition to distinguish important sounds (e.g., our name) from background noise, and 'differencing,' which involves tuning out sounds that remain constant, like background noise.

How do filters affect our listening?

Filters reduce the vast amount of sound around us to what we actually pay attention to, often without us being aware. These filters shape our reality because they determine what we focus on at any given moment.

Why is intention important in listening?

Intention is important because it helps to focus and improve the quality of listening. For example, the speaker mentions promising to listen to his wife as if for the first time every day, illustrating how intention can elevate conscious listening.

What impact does sound have on our perception of space and time?

Sound helps us perceive space by giving us information about the size of a room and the presence of people. It also places us in time because sound always has a temporal aspect, contributing to our sense of the flow of time.

Why does the speaker believe we are losing the ability to listen?

The speaker believes that technological advances like recording have reduced the need for careful listening, while the increasing noise of the world and impatience for quick sound bites further erode our listening skills.

What exercises does the speaker recommend to improve listening?

The speaker recommends five exercises: 1) Silence, 2) 'The Mixer'—listening to different sound channels, 3) Savoring mundane sounds, 4) Changing listening positions, and 5) Using the acronym 'RASA' (Receive, Appreciate, Summarize, Ask).

What does the acronym 'RASA' stand for, and how does it relate to listening?

'RASA' stands for Receive (pay attention), Appreciate (use small affirmations), Summarize (use 'so' to summarize), and Ask (ask questions). It’s a useful tool for improving communication and ensuring active listening.

Why does the speaker emphasize the need to teach listening in schools?

The speaker argues that listening is fundamental to understanding, connection, and peace, yet it is not taught as a skill. By teaching conscious listening, we could create a more connected and understanding world.