Seeing the snow outside today reminded me of something: one night about one dozen years ago, back when I was living in Texas, I went outside for a promenade despite the layers of snow on everything. I walked towards the lone street light on the corner.

What I witnessed amazed me: it was dead silent outside. No insects or other animals making noises. No machinery that I could hear. No wind blowing anywhere. No precipitation. Just sheer soundlessness until I started walking again. It was the first time in my life that I could go outdoors to the sound of absolutely nothing, and I’ll never forget it.