The Sound of Movement

[shakna]

Suspected, but never quite proven, but now getting closer, is that sounds just at the edge of hearing can loosen up inhibitions and get people moving.

We tested whether non-auditory low-frequency stimulation would increase audience dancing by turning very-low frequency (VLF) speakers on and off during a live electronic music concert and measuring audience members’ movements using motion-capture. Movement increased when VLFs were present, and because the VLFs were below or near auditory thresholds (and a subsequent experiment suggested they were undetectable), we believe this represents an unconscious effect on behaviour, possibly via vestibular and/or tactile processing.

Obviously, there's quite a few ways to take this... But how would you play with this concept to bring people together?

 

[LupusDei]

It could be that same heavy machinery make the sub sounds into some space some people have to, or choose to visit, and it becomes special.

 

[NakedNymph]

The paper only focuses on music and dance, and I'm a sucker for romantic comedy and drama, so I'd probably play it for drama. A cute couple meets cute at a music festival, they have great chemistry, dance together, and end up fucking before the festival's over. A third person, who's had an intense crush on one of the two for a while, gets really mad, researches where they met, reads something about VLF lowering inhibitions, tries to break the couple up by telling them that their love is fake (and fails), lures their crush into a room bathed in VLF to try to sleep with them, only to be gently rejected, and the story ends with the three talking out their differences and the third person moving on.

And this isn't necessary, but because the plot only needs one sex scene in what's effectively the prologue, you could sprinkle in the couple having loving, wholesome, great sex, maybe to the songs that were playing when they first met, just to highlight how happy they are together and what a good fit they are.

So how would I play with this concept? I'd play it for drama, duh.

 

[alohadave]

Suspected, but never quite proven, but now getting closer, is that sounds just at the edge of hearing can loosen up inhibitions and get people moving.



Obviously, there's quite a few ways to take this... But how would you play with this concept to bring people together?

I've read stories where infrasonic sounds had a controlling effect. It's usually used as a mcguffin, and could be dropped into any story that uses a device to control people.

 

[NewOldGuy77]

Suspected, but never quite proven, but now getting closer, is that sounds just at the edge of hearing can loosen up inhibitions and get people moving.



Obviously, there's quite a few ways to take this... But how would you play with this concept to bring people together?

I found on a long-distance trip via passenger train, that the low frequency sound/vibration of the rails has a soothing effect. I could see that having an hypnotic/erotic effect on some people. Combine that with the view of the stars in an observation car, you’d have something.

Perfect example on film: Tom Cruise and Rebecca DeMornay getting freaky on a train in Risky Business.

 

[sirhugs]

I found on a long-distance trip via passenger train, that the low frequency sound/vibration of the rails has a soothing effect. I could see that having an hypnotic/erotic effect on some people. Combine that with the view of the stars in an observation car, you’d have something.

Perfect example on film: Tom Cruise and Rebecca DeMornay getting freaky on a train in Risky Business.

wasn't that a subway car in Risky Business? I find the noise in subways the opposite of fun.

 

[NewOldGuy77]

wasn't that a subway car in Risky Business? I find the noise in subways the opposite of fun.

Technically no, it was the El - Chicago’s elevated transit trains that run above street level.

 

[Britva415]

Suspected, but never quite proven, but now getting closer, is that sounds just at the edge of hearing can loosen up inhibitions and get people moving.

The hypothetical ”green note,” the frequency which gets people involuntarily turned on.

Or the “pink note,” with Cupid-like effects.

I’ll leave the brown note for someone else to write about. Eugh.

 

[sirhugs]

The hypothetical ”green note,” the frequency which gets people involuntarily turned on.

Or the “pink note,” with Cupid-like effects.

I’ll leave the brown note for someone else to write about. Eugh.

You're safe, no scat on Lit. Just cats, and they don't have sex.

 

[shakna]

You're safe, no scat on Lit. Just cats, and they don't have sex.

Only catgirls. And if one doesn't like catgirls... Don't look at my writing...

 

[sirhugs]

Only catgirls. And if one doesn't like catgirls... Don't look at my writing...

and cat burglars, at least in one story of mine.

 

[shakna]

The hypothetical ”green note,” the frequency which gets people involuntarily turned on.

Or the “pink note,” with Cupid-like effects.

I’ll leave the brown note for someone else to write about. Eugh.

On the brown note, it is actually kinda amazing how much research we've poured into that one. All of it showing that it isn't actually a thing, but how the heck do they get that funding? Getting research funding for actual useful stuff is hard, but everyone's willing to find out that there isn't a noise to make you crap yourself?

 

[UsuallyPresent]

On the brown note, it is actually kinda amazing how much research we've poured into that one. All of it showing that it isn't actually a thing, but how the heck do they get that funding? Getting research funding for actual useful stuff is hard, but everyone's willing to find out that there isn't a noise to make you crap yourself?

Less-lethal attacks/discouragement are big, big money. It chews up a whole lot of research dollars for small success, mind, but those that get accepted make big bank. The 'brown note' would be another entry into that stable of products, were the research successful. I for one, having read my Transmetropolitan, am glad that the research is crapping out. Pun intended.

 

[UsuallyPresent]

Less-lethal attacks/discouragement are big, big money. It chews up a whole lot of research dollars for small success, mind, but those that get accepted make big bank. The 'brown note' would be another entry into that stable of products, were the research successful. I for one, having read my Transmetropolitan, am glad that the research is crapping out. Pun intended.

Now to take this and turn it into story-bunny fricassee -

Instead of the traditional mind-control erotic story take of military research, think about other possible uses.
- 'active camo' that can be turned transparent for the exhibitionist crowd
- web guns/tangler grenades/spray adhesives for the BSDM or non-con crowd
- voyeurs using beyond-cutting-edge spy gear, watching thru walls or the like.
- unusual vehicles - a bike that can climb sturdy enough walls, perhaps - imagine flashing from the top of the Gateway Arch in St Louis, perhaps

I'm sure there'll be plenty of others.