Hear Where We Are

Michael Stocker is an acoustician, musician and naturalist who has been an active spokesperson about human generated ocean noise pollution 1992. He is a technical generalist with professional credentials in electronic design, communication systems, physics, and acoustics. He has worked with high profile projects and clients including Skywalker Ranch, the “cult” feature film Koyyanisqatsi, Monterrey Bay Aquarium, The US National Holocaust Museum, Electric Light Orchestra, Harry Nielson, and the premier bio-mimicry research firm Pax Scientific. He is also conversant in biology and mycology. His ability to convey complex scientific issues in clear terms to a non-scientific audience is one of his hallmarks and has proven instrumental in conveying the complex ideas of ocean bio-acoustics to a lay public as well as to policy makers. By way of this ability, he has written text on ocean noise policy that has been included in current and pending legislation at the state and federal level, including the California Ocean Action Plan, and Barbara Boxer's pending "National Ocean Protections Act."  In 2006 he won the prestigious "Heart of Marin" award for "Excellence in Non-profit Board Leadership." Dr. Stocker is currently the Director of Ocean Conservation Research, seeking solutions to the growing problem of human-generated ocean noise pollution though science, technology, policy development, and public outreach.

• Hear Here – the impact of sound on personal placement.- The Song of Creation.- What is this thing called “sound”?.- Sound Menagerie – other animals’ sound perception.- Communication – Sound into Form.

From the book reviews: "This is a readable and enjoyable book. ... It is descriptive more than analytic and is a nice compilation of topics with which we in noise control engineering have less familiarity: human perception of sounds, soundscape studies, and psychological, physiological and animal acoustics. This book is highly recommended. It is a steal at the price." (Richard J. Peppin, Noise Control Engineering Journal, Vol. 62 (5), September-October, 2014) "This enchanting book ... detail the importance of the sonic world and our myriad interactions with it. ... The author delves into every aspect of human sound and then examines recent research, some speculative, on the sonic abilities of other species. ... Summing Up: Recommended. All levels/libraries." (T. J. Pinch, Choice, Vol. 51 (10), June, 2014)