The ISEA Model Examining Human-Nature Relationships with respect to Sound, Music and Noise

This is a semiotically rich, pictorially laced version of the ISEA model adapted to addressing the human-Nature relationships in and through sound-related or sound-producing phenomena, events and activities.

In the Instrumental perspective, the often troubled soundscape is considered an environmental issue only insofar as it is framed in rights, privileges, access, consumption and quality of life with respect to amenity and recreational opportunity. Major examples of sound-producing activities commonly include music, entertainments, communications, tourism, transportation, natural resource extraction, industrial development and warfare.

In contrast, the Spiritual perspective encourages outlooks that seek to identify and empathise with Nature through and in the world of environmental sound and music. Spiritually oriented sound making and listening are firmly and enchantingly grounded in the holistic experience and acoustic connection with fauna, flora and biosphere, opening and maintaining communicative channels essential for preserving identity, intimacy and integrity of a sentient world and its inhabitants.

The Pro-Animal/Plant perspective concerns nonhuman lives, explores the aural interfaces and interactions within and between species, and examines how they are affected by anthropogenic sound. There is little or no attention paid to broader ecological or environmental contexts.

On a more macroscopic footing, the Pro-Environment perspective concentrates on complex issues about the integrity and biodiversity of an environment, ecosystem or bioregion. There are clear recognition and monitoring of anthropogenic sound intrusion as an environmental disturbance on a par with other forms of pollution or degradation.