BAM Foundation

BAM is a Dutch acronym for the right to freedom from acoustic pollution.

Our slogan: "Silence; ever heard of it?"

Aims & objectives:

The enormous increase of amplified sound in our modern society forms an unprecedented and problematic nuisance. Sound encroaches deeply, both physically and emotionally.

The constantly growing stream of complaints that our foundation receives and the approval of our initiative to fight this problem, confirm that many of us experience excessive noise as terror.

A lot of loud and annoying noise is unnecessary, but is nevertheless imposed upon us as something completely natural and self-evident. We are given no choice and it violates our freedom.This in turn leads to irritation and anger.

Excessive noise can dramatically influence one's health and wellbeing and can lead to a series of complaints such as loss of hearing, injuries to the nervous system, loss of concentration, depression and agression etcetera.

Victims of uncalled-for noise lose the ability to live their lives according to their own needs and interests.

Political authorities and parties nevertheless show very little sympathy or understanding for these often distressing problems and usually play them down, regarding the sufferers as weak and whining neurotics.

Shopping centres and supermarkets are almost without exception spoiled by the relentless racket of pop-music.

Boom-cars more and more infest our roads. Deafening "festivals" and other outdoor concerts hold whole neighbourhoods hostage. Holiday-makers turn their radios on and up in areas where others hope to find peace and quiet. More and more workers, in factories and offices, are confronted with audio-terror. Construction workers, painters etcetera do not seem to be able to do their work without the aid of ghetto-blasters set on maximum.

To protect themselves, people have their flats and houses sound-proofed. This is the world turned upside down. He who pollutes must pay! It should be possible to protect victims of uncalled-for noise in the same way the non-smokers are protected against passive smoking injurious to their health.

We therefore need a drastic change of mentality! Foundation BAM promotes the awareness of the pollution of our senses.

Generally:

Get rid of or forbid amplified music or other noise in public spaces.

Active and effective action against disturbance created by neighbours.

Information and awareness-creating campaigns.

Specifically:

Forbid audio-equipment and motor-vehicles in nature-reserves and scenic areas.

Promote higher standards of insulation of buildings.

Ban the use of audio-equipment at all public works if audible to others. People who like to work to the accomparniment of music can do that with a walkman and headphones.

Stronger control of supercharged motorbikes and scooters.

Ban on boom-cars (as in Hasselt in Belgium, f.ex.)

If a number of teenagers are taken on a nature-walk where the paths are littered with cans, bottles and wrappers, most of them probably wouldn't notice.... If a young salesperson says, about the loud music in his shop "I don't hear it anymore" or "This is not loud at all".... When most people reply to complaints in terms of "But this is Amsterdam" (or any other place) "This is normal" or "Why do you live in the city...? Move to a village or the countryside..!" All this is, of course, no reason not to make them aware of the problem and no reason why they should not be taught better manners.

If you know better, you do better next time. It will make the world a better place. Isn't that what we ALL want?

We don't want to pay for one minute of silence with our lives.