The Decibel (dB): A Scientific Unit Gone Mad

The decibel (dB), a seemingly simple unit for measuring sound, is surprisingly complex and confusing. It's not a unit in the conventional sense, but rather a logarithmic scale representing a change in magnitude. The article delves into the history and application of the bel and decibel, highlighting the ambiguity arising from its context-dependent nature. Different fields use dB differently, leading to inconsistencies and misunderstandings. The author uses the example of microphone sensitivity to illustrate the inherent confusion, arguing for a more standardized and less ambiguous approach to this widely used unit.