[Summary] : SLC29-W2 | The Sound Map

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Hello Steemians,

Week 2 asked a different question than Week 1.
Instead of “Where does your journey begin?”, this time we asked:

How does your world sound when you stop moving and truly listen?

Participants had to choose a real place with a strong sound atmosphere, pin it on SteemAtlas, describe the soundscape through a short narrative, provide 2–4 original photos, upload a Speem.watch proof video (20–60s) focused on ambient sound, and include a Hidden Sound Challenge where others must guess at least three sounds.

This week produced a beautiful variety of soundscapes: animal farms, markets, bus stands, plazas, streets, hills, and quiet nature fields. The strongest entries did one thing exceptionally well: they made readers “hear with imagination” before even pressing play.

Week 2 Statistics

Total participants reviewed	19
SteemAtlas pins included	19 / 19
Proof video provided (Speem/IPFS/YouTube via Speem)	19 / 19
Hidden Sound Challenge clearly present	8 / 19
Minimum engagement confirmed (commented on at least two entries with sound guesses)	10 / 19

Post Quality Snapshot

Week 2 improved in sound-focused storytelling compared to Week 1. However, the most common weaknesses were:

• Hidden Sound Challenge missing or replaced by a non-sound question.
• Audio authenticity issues (added music or heavy overlay masking the real ambient sound).
• Engagement not visible (no sound guesses on other entries).

High quality (8.5 – 10)	4 posts	Clear sound layers, strong proof video, real “Sound Map” feeling, good challenge + engagement.
Good (7.5 – 8.49)	9 posts	Valid and enjoyable, but missing 1–2 key strengths (challenge clarity, audio purity, or engagement depth).
Needs improvement (Below 7.5)	6 posts	Often missing a real hidden sound puzzle and/or using edited audio that reduces the “sound map” purpose.

Top 6 Winners – Week 2

Rank	Author	Sound Map Location	Score (/10)	Why it stood out	Post Link
1	@bossj23	Ifa Atai Market (Uyo, Nigeria)	9.15	Best “sound mystery” structure: riddle-style writing + strong sound clues + excellent ambient market proof.	View post
2	@marwene	Ferme Abdallah (Tunisia)	9.05	A rare animal-focused soundscape with clear layered voices, strong media set, and a memorable “final hidden voice” challenge.	View post
3	@enrisanti	Final de Avenida República (Ciudad Bolívar, Venezuela)	8.60	Strong urban sound ecology: traffic layers + birds + human presence, with fair hidden clues and clear mapping.	View post
4	@dove11	Namokar Honda (Meerut, India)	8.55	One of the best “indoor sound maps”: generator hum, sales talk, workshop tools, negotiation rhythm + active engagement.	View post
5	@lunasilver	Plaza Bolívar (Villa de Cura, Venezuela)	8.45	Meaningful public-space soundscape (birds, voices, engines) with strong cultural storytelling and good interaction.	View post
6	@solaymann	Mustard Flower Field (Bangladesh)	8.30	Natural sound atmosphere with wind/insects/birds and responsive community interaction; could be stronger with a clearer hidden 3-sound puzzle.	View post

Community Highlights

Best “Geo-Quest Mystery” Sound Puzzle

@bossj23 delivered the most complete hidden sound challenge. The post reads like a sound-based riddle, and the video supports the mystery clearly.

Most Original Sound Choice

@marwene brought a living soundscape (animals) instead of the usual urban noise — and the “blurred final animal” idea was a perfect Week 2 twist.

Best Urban Sound Layering

@enrisanti showed a realistic city sound mix: engines, horns, birds, and human moments, with a clear sense of “place” through audio.

Best “Workplace Sound Map”

@dove11 mapped the sounds of a showroom and service bay (tools, persuasion voices, generator, traffic), which is a great example that sound maps are not only nature or markets.

Jury Notes for Week 3 Improvement

To score higher in future weeks, participants should focus on these points:

• Keep audio authentic. Avoid adding background music or heavy overlays. Week 2 is about the real environment.
• Hidden Sound Challenge must be sound-based. The best challenges hide three sounds using hints — not direct naming, and not unrelated questions.
• Do a “one-minute listening” paragraph. Loudest sound, smallest sound, repeating rhythm, and surprise sound — this is the heart of the Sound Map.
• Engagement matters. Comment on at least two entries and guess at least three sounds in each (with a short reason).

Closing Words

Week 2 proved that our shared world map is not only visual, it is audible.
Every pin added a different “layer” to the community’s global soundscape: from quiet wind in a field to the chaotic pulse of a market.

Congratulations to the Top 6 winners, and thank you to everyone who recorded, listened, and interacted with others’ sound clues.

— @kouba01