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Noise (mander.xyz)

submitted 3 months ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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[–] nifty 23 points 3 months ago (1 children)

How do we know that sound signals recorded aren’t just from the release of biomolecules? Using the nervous system to produce sound is a more intentional process than the release of biomolecules for chemical signaling, which is something even simple multicellular organism do

[–] angrystego 21 points 3 months ago (2 children)

You're right that it doesn't have to be talking. But it is a sound cats and dogs can hear. They do hear the plant noise, which is cool.

[–] AngryCommieKender 13 points 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago) (3 children)

It's cool to us.

I can absolutely confirm that neither cats nor dogs particularly enjoy hearing multiple frequencies in that range, as I use ultrasonic noisemakers to train dogs and cats. Both species have had specific individuals that reacted as though I had just beaten them, and all the individuals of both species reacted in such a way that it was clear that they would do just about anything to never hear those noises again.

That being said, I wonder if they could hear that frequency all the time and were freaked out that a human was shouting in plant language.

[–] Buddahriffic 5 points 3 months ago (1 children)

The unpleasant reaction could be to the shape of the sound rather than just the frequency. Like a sin wave isn't a pleasant sound, though it's not bad at lower amplitudes.

[–] AngryCommieKender 2 points 3 months ago (1 children)

Possible. I couldn't tell you since I can't hear it, and am uncertain if I have a microphone that could detect that frequency

[–] Buddahriffic 2 points 3 months ago

Do they show similar signs of distress around plants in general? Are they reluctant to enter forests? Do they randomly destroy plants?

Lol I thought it would be clear until that last question, which is something both cats and dogs are known to do on occasion.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 3 months ago

Maybe it has something to do with the volume. If plants are at, let's say, 40dB and you blast the animals with a 100 dB sound...

[–] Alexstarfire 1 points 3 months ago

You were probably saying "fuck me" in a sultry voice. I sympathize with the animals.

[–] nifty 5 points 3 months ago (2 children)

Right, but what’s the source of the sound? If it’s not intentionally produced, but rather a chemical reaction or reaction byproduct, then it says something different about plant communication

[–] angrystego 6 points 3 months ago

I agree, I just don't think it's that relevant to the post, which was more about how our pets experience the world.

[–] BluesF 2 points 3 months ago

The sounds produced by plants aren't used for communication, at least as far as I've understood it. They are, as you say, just sounds produced as part of other processes. They aren't talking any more than a tree talks when in creaks in the wind.