Most people tend to feel comfortable with sounds that are familiar to them, whether it's the hum of a busy city street or the gentle rustling of leaves in a quiet park. This preference for what we know and have grown accustomed to is deeply rooted in human psychology, where familiarity often equates to comfort and security.
Beyond its surface-level interpretation, this statement by Yoko Ono can also be seen as an observation about cultural and social norms. People generally find it easier to accept ideas or changes that align with their pre-existing beliefs and experiences, rather than those that challenge the status quo. This tendency can limit our openness to new sounds—whether literal noises or metaphorical concepts—and may hinder our ability to adapt and grow. On a broader scale, this preference for familiarity can influence how societies evolve or resist change.
Yoko Ono is an artist, musician, filmmaker, and writer known for her avant-garde work and collaborations with husband John Lennon. Her quote reflects her own experiences as an innovator who often works at the intersection of art and activism, pushing boundaries and challenging conventional ways of thinking.