Do you enjoy the sound of rain? How about the gentle babble of a river or the soothing crash of waves on the beach? We are naturally drawn to these sounds of nature.

In contrast, the vibrating hum of a refrigerator compressor isn't quite as appealing. Likewise, the sound of children's footsteps on the floor above can be irritating rather than soothing.

So, why do we have such different reactions to similar sounds? I believe the frequency and rhythm of the sound play significant roles.

But there seems to be more to it. The distinction between natural and artificial sounds might also be important. Perhaps we resign ourselves to the inevitability of nature, accepting that we cannot control it, whereas we view artificiality as something within our control and hence subject to our critique.

Consider the sound of rain. If it were artificially produced, would it still feel as calming? Or think about a river: what if the flowing water came from a man-made canal? If a river that looks natural is actually artificially created, might that change how we perceive its sound, even if the sound itself remains unchanged?

Now, think about the sound of a refrigerator compressor. As Leonard E. Read mentioned, each refrigerator is meticulously assembled and delivered, made from materials sourced globally. The system is as if embracing a vast expanse of nature. The electricity powering it often comes from natural forces like thermal and hydroelectric power. Thinking of the compressor in this way might make its hum seem a bit more bearable.

Children, when you think about it, are nature's ultimate creation, carrying genes that date back to the dawn of humanity. They've been playing and causing mischief for thousands of years. Viewing their noisy antics as a natural, timeless phenomenon can make their sounds feel a little more endearing.