Looking for Ted: black trips, “psychedelic” humanism, and silence
Frontiers in Psychology October 18, 2023 Michael Cordova
Silence is not merely the absence of sound but can be a rich, meaningful experience that shapes human consciousness and well-being. The article argues that silence has been undervalued in psychological research, yet it plays a crucial role in self-reflection, emotional regulation, and aesthetic appreciation. Drawing on humanistic and psychoanalytic perspectives, the author suggests that silence can facilitate deeper self-awareness and connection with others, challenging the modern tendency to fill every moment with noise. The piece calls for more empirical and theoretical attention to silence as a positive psychological phenomenon.