| If there is any one person that inspired me to be a better teacher - even if I didn't know I was going to be one - it was Mr. Heim, from when I went to Brophy, my old high school. For some reason, I remember his book (he wrote it) on physics and how it was amusing that he put a list of examples of Decibel levels. I will put it here for your and my amusement - sounds you can barely hear to sounds you'll hear just once... 15 dB - Lower limit of hearing 30 dB - Quiet library, whispers 40 dB - Living room, refrigerator 50 dB - Normal conversation 60 dB - Sewing machine, A/C unit 70 dB - Vacuum cleaner, hair dryer 80 dB - Alarm clock, garbage disposal 90 dB - Subway, lawn mower 100 dB - Chainsaw, pneumatic drill 120 dB - Rock band at the speakers 130 dB - Pain threshold 140 dB - Gunshot, jet plane 160 dB - Instant deafness 180 dB - Rocket launching pad 190 dB - Violent rupture of the eardrums I... sometimes grin at the last one. I am probably disturbed, but it amuses me to no end. The idea that Spinal Tap really could've found the '11' that actually made their audiences' head explode.  | Currently listening : Witching Hour By Ladytron |
Labels: Brophy, high, physics, school, teaching |