Guerre sonore? L'uso del suono come strumento di conflitto

This review essay investigates the relationships between sound and conflict by focusing on the different ways in which the sonic public sphere has been historically involved in a process of increasing militarization. By analyzing three recent and major works on this subject, the essay reconstructs a variety of politics and practices of using sounds as means of psycho-sensorial incitation, aggression or control, ad the violent effects of sound on the symbolic, physical and affective dimensions of human bodies. Finally, the essay highlights a few paths that might be further explored in future research on the space-sensorial logistics of sonic production and perception and on the bio-political power of shaping the sonic environment within increasing urban surveillance and the so-called war on global terror.