but all has been occupied by Noise

[soso]

On silence

[The demon Screwtape writes:]

Music and silence—how I detest them both!

How thankful we should be that ever since our Father entered Hell

—though longer ago than [humans], reckoning in light years, could express—

[no square inch of infernal space and no moment of infernal time] has been surrendered to either of those abominable forces,

but all has been occupied by Noise

— Noise, the grand dynamism, the audible expression‎ of all //that is exultant, ruthless, and virile

—Noise //which alone defends us from silly qualms, despairing scruples, and impossible desires.

We will make [the whole universe] [a noise] /in the end.

We have already made great strides in this direction /as regards the Earth.

[The melodies and silences of Heaven] will be shouted down /in the end.

But I admit () we are not yet loud enough, or anything like it.

From The Screwtape Letters
Compiled in Words to Live By