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White noise has a very precise technical definition, but people use the term loosely, to describe all sorts of washes of sound—synthetic hums, or natural sounds like a rainstorm or crashing waves—that can be used to mask other sounds. Twenty years ago, if you’d told someone white noise was a regular part of your life, they would have found that unusual. Nowadays, it’s likely they use it themselves or know someone who does. The global white noise business is valued at $1.3 billion; TikTok is full of people trumpeting its powers; and Spotify users alone listen to three million hours of it daily. Far more of these sounds already exist than any one person could need—or use. And yet, more keep coming. Looking out at this uncanny ocean of seemingly indistinguishable noises, we wanted to see if it was possible to put a human face on it; to understand why there is so much of it, and what motivates the people trying to soothe our desperate ears with sounds you're not really supposed to hear.In this episode, you’ll hear from Elan Ullendorff, who writes the illuminating Substack Escape the Algorithm; Stéphane Pigeon, founder of myNoise; Brandon Reed, who runs Dwellspring; and Mack Hagood, author of Hush: Media and Sonic Self-Control and host of the podcast Phantom Power.We’d also like to thank Dan Berlau, Sarah Anderson, and Ashley Carman. This episode was written by Katie Shepherd, Evan Chung, and Willa Paskin. It was produced by Katie Shepherd. We produce Decoder Ring with Max Freedman, and Evan is also our supervising producer. Merritt Jacob is Senior Technical Director.If you have any cultural mysteries you want us to decode, please email us at DecoderRing@slate.com, or leave a message on our hotline at 347-460-7281.Sources for This EpisodeAnderson, Sarah. The Lost Art of Silence: Reconnecting to the Power and Beauty of Quiet, Shambhala Publications, 2023.Blum, Dani. “Can Brown Noise Turn Off Your Brain?” New York Times, Sep. 23, 2022.Carman, Ashley. “Spotify Looked to Ban White Noise Podcasts to Become More Profitable,” Bloomberg, Aug. 17, 2023. Carman, Ashley. “Spotify to Cut Back Promotional Spending on White Noise Podcasts,” Bloomberg, Sep. 1, 2023.Hagood, Mack. Hush: Media and Sonic Self-Control, Duke University Press, 2019.Pickens, Thomas A., Sara P. Khan, and Daniel J. Berlau. “White noise as a possible therapeutic option for children with ADHD,” Complementary Therapies in Medicine, Feb. 2019.Riva, Michele Augusto, Vincenzo Cimino, and Stefano Sanchirico. “Gian Lorenzo Bernini’s 17th century white noise machine,” The Lancet Neurology, Oct. 2017.Want more Decoder Ring? Subscribe to Slate Plus to unlock exclusive bonus episodes. Plus, you’ll access ad-free listening across all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe now on Apple Podcasts by clicking “Try Free” at the top of the Decoder Ring show page. Or, visit slate.com/decoderplus to get access wherever you listen. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mark Joseph Stern, a Senior Writer at Slate who covers courts and the law, dives into the recent Supreme Court rulings and their implications. He highlights how the court has reshaped the power of district courts, particularly regarding controversial cases like birthright citizenship. Stern discusses the chaotic legal landscape facing families due to varying state laws. He also addresses internal struggles among justices and the erosion of rights, painting a picture of a court increasingly aligned with conservative outcomes.

Alexandra Paul, a talented actress best remembered for her role in Baywatch, shares her chilling experience of being stalked for over a decade. She reveals how admiration turned into obsession, costing her emotionally and financially. Paul discusses the psychological impact of being a public figure and the complexities of navigating legal protections against harassment. With frank reflections, she emphasizes the importance of boundaries and coping strategies. Her story serves as a haunting reminder of the darker side of fame and the vital need for empathy towards victims.

Join Ricky O’Donnell, a basketball reporter and SB Nation editor, as he dives into the turbulent world of Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever. They dissect her injuries, the media scrutiny surrounding her rise, and the overall state of women's basketball. Switching gears, O’Donnell breaks down the NBA draft, focusing on the exciting prospects like Cooper Flagg and team strategies. There’s also a look at MLB teams adapting to minor league parks, revealing the quirky challenges they face. A wild ride through sports drama and future stars!

The discussion kicks off with a playful debate: are podcasts considered screentime? Parents share their thoughts on whether kids miss out on experiences by not following popular children's YouTubers. Triumphs and fails in the parenting journey provide relatable laughs. Then, a deep dive into balancing screen time and reading for homeschooling families reveals strategies for keeping kids engaged. Finally, hear about family adventures in Paris, where navigating the city without a stroller sparks confidence in kids and insights on prioritizing experiences.

In this discussion, columnist Philip Bump from The Washington Post and former ICE Assistant Director Scott Shuchart dive into the controversial decision by ICE agents to wear masks and plainclothes during arrests. They explore how this shift endangers agents, erodes public trust, and echoes past protests. Bump highlights the normalization of such practices, while Shuchart provides insights on accountability and the implications for community safety. The conversation challenges listeners to consider the impact of concealed identities on law enforcement and immigration policies.

Kate Conger, a technology reporter for the New York Times and co-author of 'Character Limit,' dives deep into the aftermath of Elon Musk's acquisition of Twitter. She discusses how this ownership shift has altered advertising strategies and brand safety protocols. Conger highlights the FTC's unique approach to mergers under the current administration, exploring its implications for free speech and political biases. The conversation also touches on the complexities of navigating advertising in an evolving regulatory landscape that creates tension between brands and social media platforms.

This week, hosts dive into the political drama surrounding Zohran Mamdani's primary win for NYC mayor, unpacking business leaders' exaggerated fears of socialism. They discuss Trump's ongoing antics regarding the Fed Chair position and take a lighthearted detour into Jeff Bezos's extravagant wedding in Venice. The conversation also touches on the evolving trends in wealth display, including luxury yacht parties, and the bizarre world of collectible dolls and counterfeit markets. Expect laughs alongside serious financial insights!

Ingrid Nilsen, the original beauty and lifestyle YouTuber known as MissGlamorazzi and now a candle entrepreneur, joins to discuss the impact of her groundbreaking coming out video. As they celebrate its 10-year anniversary, she reflects on the anticipation before hitting upload and the unexpected reactions she faced. The conversation explores how coming out videos reshaped LGBTQ+ representation online, contributing to societal acceptance, while also navigating the complexities of identity and the emotional weight of public disclosure.

The podcast dives into alarming Supreme Court rulings that threaten individual rights, highlighting how courts now appear less able to protect citizens from government overreach. Discussions focus on the controversial case Trump v. CASA, which scrutinizes birthright citizenship, and Mahmoud v. Taylor, allowing parents to veto LGBTQ+ representation in schools. The erosion of district court authority is examined alongside implications for healthcare and free speech, signaling a troubling shift in democratic oversight.