DeepSummary
The episode begins with an introduction by producer Micah Kielbahn, who mentions that the guest host for this episode is the poet and editor Leslie Sines. Leslie then shares her experience of being sensitive to sounds and how it influences her poetic preferences as an editor. She talks about her childhood fear of noses and ears growing larger, and how her grandfather had particularly large ears.
Leslie describes her sensitivity to various sounds, from doorbells to her cat's movements, and how she tries to accommodate her cats' sound aversion. She mentions learning from the cat behaviorist Jackson Galaxy. The episode then transitions to the featured poem, "Hyperacusis" by Santee Frazier, which Leslie introduces as an "eerie symphony" that warns about the restructuring effects of noise pollution on our brains.
After the poem is read, there is a brief outro segment mentioning the partnership between The Slowdown and institutions like the Poetry Foundation and the National Endowment for the Arts. There is also a sponsor message from a listener expressing support for the show.
Key Episodes Takeaways
- Leslie Sines, the guest host, has a heightened sensitivity to sounds that influences her poetic sensibilities and preferences as an editor.
- Sines had a childhood fear of noses and ears growing larger, which was influenced by her grandfather's large ears.
- Sines tries to accommodate her cats' sound aversion by minimizing noise and learning from cat behaviorist Jackson Galaxy.
- The featured poem, "Hyperacusis" by Santee Frazier, explores the effects of noise pollution on the brain in an eerie and atmospheric way.
- The episode highlights the importance of sound, rhythm, and phonetics in poetry and their ability to convey meaning beyond just the narrative.
- The Slowdown is a partnership between American Public Media, the Poetry Foundation, and the National Endowment for the Arts, dedicated to promoting and exploring poetry.
- Listener support and sponsorship are important for sustaining the production of The Slowdown.
- The episode touches on themes of sensitivity, sound, poetry, and the impact of noise pollution.
Top Episodes Quotes
- “I find that I'm especially sensitive to sound. I also find that sonics drive my poetics.“ by Leslie Sines
- “Even the sound of my beloved orange cat Julius, aggressively rolling around on the recycled craft paper we leave on the floor for him. He loves the sound of its rustling and crinkling, can leave me momentarily shaken up.“ by Leslie Sines
- “Today's poem is an eerie symphony of glare and clutter that employs a bewitching melody to deliver a poignant warning. Noise pollution can restructure and is restructuring our brains.“ by Leslie Sines
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Episode Information
The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily
American Public Media
6/18/24
Today’s poem is Hyperacusis by Santee Frazier.
The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, guest host Leslie Sainz writes… “I find that I’m especially sensitive to sound. I also find that sonics drive my poetics. In my role as an editor, I gravitate towards writing that prioritizes rhythm, be it harmonious or unsettling, and I believe phonetics alone has the power to both eschew narrative meaning and dictate it.”
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