My Two-Year Noise-Cancelling Odyssey: From Self-Delusion to 'Ah-ha!' Moment
2025-03-12
Driven mad by noisy upstairs neighbors and a perpetually loud park, the author spent two years experimenting with bizarre noise-reduction methods: from industrial-strength earmuffs and silicone earplugs to researching earwax genes and the physics of sound, even attempting to build a soundproof chamber. All failed miserably. The ultimate solution? A simple pair of noise-canceling headphones. This article reflects on how over-reliance on theoretical analysis, neglecting simple solutions, and a fixation on cleverness led to wasted time and suffering.