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So much of what we experience around us is pure noise, static interfering with what we would rather tune into. It could be the asshole with his booming car speakers sharing his bad taste in music with the world, or perhaps small bonfire’s worth of junk mail that arrives in my box.

With elections coming to a head, the economy floundering, and tabloid journalism run amok, I can’t help but wonder if there is going to be a point where our culture, humanity in general even, is going to have to collectively pause and take a good, long breath. Just pause and rest, even for a moment. I sometimes imagine such a moment, cars stopped, televisions off, and everyone, unafraid and relaxed, pausing to hear the world’s collective heartbeat.