Professor Chen-Pang Yeang's book, Transforming Noise: A History of Its Science and Technology from Disturbing Sounds to Informational Errors, 1900-1955, (Oxford, 2024) has started to get attention outside the traditional scholarly circles. This work, which explores the historical roots of modern attempts to control, use, and understand noise, was recently referred to by Alex Ross, the music critic for The New Yorker. In his April 2024 piece titled "What is Noise?" Over a few paragraphs, Ross mentions Yeang's comprehensive analysis, noting the book's blend of complex mathematical equations and accessible narrative storytelling: Transforming Noise “is thick with mathematical equations, yet it still tells an interesting story even for those of us who will skip the more technical pages,” wrote Ross.
This mention by Alex Ross not only brings Professor Yeang's work to a broader audience but also underscores the growing interest in interdisciplinary studies that connect science, technology, and culture.