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Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
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Sonic Boom summary
Joel Beckerman
Tyler Gray
How Sound Transforms the Way We Think, Feel and Buy
11 mins
Brief summary
'Sonic Boom' by Joel Beckerman with Tyler Gray explores how sound shapes our world and how it affects our lives. The book offers insights into the power of sound design and how we can harness its potential to enhance our experiences.
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Sonic Boom
Summary of 4 key ideas
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Key idea 1 of 4
While you might try to block out all the world’s noise, your brain never stops listening.
Close your eyes right now and take in the sounds around you.
What do you hear close to you? Perhaps you can eavesdrop on a whispered conversation on the bus. Now, what do you hear further away from you? Maybe you can identify the rumble of highway traffic, or children shouting in a nearby playground.
Every day we are surrounded by sound, and what we hear shapes the way we feel, influences our energy level and touches our consciousness. Movie music does this particularly well: you can’t help but be put on edge when the “shark theme” from Jaws – just two resonant bass notes – is played!
The right sound heard at the right time can even trigger a memory or evoke a powerful emotion. When this happens, it’s called a boom moment. But why exactly do boom moments occur?
It’s simple: your brain never stops listening. Even when you might not consciously be paying attention to the sounds around you, your brain is processing it all and connecting the sonic input with experiences you’ve had.
Chili’s, a Mexican restaurant chain in the United States, has recognized the power of sound to influence its customers. When you enter a Chili’s restaurant, you immediately hear the sizzle of meat on a hot iron plate.
This sizzle grabs your attention and inspires a chain of sensory reactions: you hear and smell the meat, the laughter of other happy and sated guests surrounds you, and you realize suddenly just how hungry you are for fajitas!
This is a boom moment, and one that obviously contributes to the restaurant’s bottom line. No surprise that Chili’s sells as much as 60.4 million pounds of fajitas per year!
The influence of sound on how we feel isn’t random; there’s definitely a science to it. Researchers Clare Caldwell and Sally A. Hibbert found that diners spent almost 15 minutes longer in a restaurant in which slower-tempo music was played, in contrast to a restaurant that played faster-tempo music.
The reason? Slower music made diners feel relaxed and safe, so they lingered over dinner.
Would you want to incorporate the power of sound in your business? There’s more to it than just turning on the radio. Read the next blink to learn more.
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What is Sonic Boom about?
Sonic Boom (2014) highlights the many ways sounds permeate not only our environment but also our personal lives. From your company brand to your personal space, sound has the power to make us remember and even can encourage us to buy. These blinks show you exactly how to harness the power of sound in your business and life.
Sonic Boom Review
Sonic Boom (2014) takes readers on a fascinating journey through the world of sound and its impact on our daily lives. Here's why this book is worth reading:
- Explores the powerful influence of sound on our emotions, behaviors, and experiences, providing eye-opening insights into an often overlooked aspect of our lives.
- Offers compelling examples from various industries, showcasing how sound can be harnessed to create unforgettable experiences and drive success.
- With its engaging storytelling and thought-provoking content, the book ensures that readers will never listen to the world around them the same way again.
Best quote from Sonic Boom
The quickest way to understand the power of sound is by seeing what happens when its gone.
—Joel Beckerman with Tyler Gray
Who should read Sonic Boom?
- Musicians interested in how sound affects a person’s emotions
- Marketing executives looking to take company branding to the next level
- Business owners curious about how to use music to motivate others
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Sonic Boom FAQs
What is the main message of Sonic Boom?
The main message of Sonic Boom is the power of sound in shaping our experiences and emotions.
How long does it take to read Sonic Boom?
The reading time for Sonic Boom varies, but it typically takes several hours to read. The Blinkist summary can be read in just a few minutes.
Is Sonic Boom a good book? Is it worth reading?
Sonic Boom is worth reading for its fascinating insights into the world of sound and its impact on our lives. An engaging and thought-provoking book.
Who is the author of Sonic Boom?
Sonic Boom is authored by Joel Beckerman with Tyler Gray.
What to read after Sonic Boom?
If you're wondering what to read next after Sonic Boom, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene
- The Ignorant Maestro by Itay Talgam
- Job Therapy by Tessa West
- The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel
- The Anarchy by William Dalrymple
- ReWork by Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson
- Liberated Love by Mark Groves & Kylie McBeath
- Mind Magic by James R. Doty
- The Zone of Interest by Martin Amis
- Feel-Good Productivity by Ali Abdaal