Sonic Warfare (by Steve Goodman)

Sonic Warfare, by Steve Goodman, explores how sound can be used as a weapon or tool of control, not just for communication or entertainment. It examines how governments, militaries, and corporations deploy powerful, often intrusive sound techniques—like high-frequency noise or loud vibrations—to influence behavior, diminish protests, or intimidate crowds. These sonic methods can be subtle or overt, affecting emotional and physical responses without physical contact. Goodman highlights that sound’s intangible, immersive qualities make it a potent means of social and political influence, raising important questions about ethics, privacy, and the power dynamics involved in using sound as a form of apparatus or warfare.