The 52-hertz whale

Alone in a vast sea of noise pollution
Subject 003

Subject:
In 1992, a top-secret US Navy initiative deployed hydrophones in the North Pacific to detect foreign submarines. Unexpectedly, they discovered a unique phenomenon: a distinctive sound at 52 hertz. This frequency belonged to a lone whale, its song unheard by other whales, which typically sing at 10-40 Hz. Despite its efforts to communicate, it remains isolated and unable to find companionship or understanding for decades.

Admiration:
Communication is essential because it fosters understanding, builds relationships, and resolves conflicts. However, this enigma has been roaming the sea for decades, calling on a frequency that none of its kind can hear. Scientists don’t know why this whale communicates at this frequency—whether it’s deaf or affected by the heavy increase of ships in the oceans. The loneliness paradox of the 52 Hertz whale’s call mirrors the struggle of today’s youth. Despite numerous communication platforms, many find themselves adrift in a sea of superficiality, craving understanding.

Illustration:
The illustration features a map with one of the many audio recordings of its calls through the decades. The distorted, water-like ”52” is mixed with the title.