Speaking about culture, an interesting experiment

[David Thornton]

I normally don't forward these types of things, but thought you guys might enjoy this!

Perception ..........something to think about...

Washington, DC Metro Station on a cold January morning in 2007. The man with a violin played six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes. During that time approximately two thousand people went through the station, most of them on their way to work. After 3 minutes a middle aged man noticed there was a musician playing. He slowed his pace and stopped for a few seconds and then hurried to meet his schedule.

4 minutes later:
The violinist received his first dollar: a woman threw the money in the hat and, without stopping, continued to walk.

6 minutes:
A young man leaned against the wall to listen to him, then looked at his watch and started to walk again.

10 minutes:
A 3-year old boy stopped but his mother tugged him along hurriedly. The kid stopped to look at the violinist again, but the mother pushed hard and the child continued to walk, turning his head all the time. This action was repeated by several other children.. Every parent, without exception, forced their children to move on quickly.

45 minutes:
The musician played continuously. Only 6 people stopped and listened for a short while. About 20 gave money but continued to walk at their normal pace. The man collected a total of $32.

1 hour:
He finished playing and silence took over. No one noticed. No one applauded, nor was there any recognition.

No one knew this, but the violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the greatest musicians in the world. He played one of the most intricate pieces ever written, with a violin worth $3.5 million dollars. Two days before, Joshua Bell sold out a theater in Boston where the seats averaged $100.

This is a true story. Joshua Bell playing incognito in the metro station was organized by the Washington Post as part of a social experiment about perception, taste and people's priorities . The questions raised: in a commonplace environment at an inappropriate hour, do we perceive beauty? Do we stop to appreciate it? Do we recognize talent in an unexpected context?

One possible conclusion reached from this experiment could be this: If we do not have a moment to stop and listen to one of the best musicians in the world, playing some of the finest music ever written, with one of the most beautiful instruments ever made..... How many other things are we missing?

Life is too short for a long story.

[Zardoz]

I remember seeing that on the news when it happened. the media acted all suprised that more folks didn't recognize the music, or quality of play.

I love the violin and classical music, and recognized what he was playing, but my thoughts were that it wasn't a good test. I'd bet less than 10% of those people had any idea what he was playing, and wouldn't have known who he was with a name tag! The vast majority of folks these days have no classical music appreciation, so if they didn't know the tune they wouldn't know whether it was well played or not, or care to stop and listen, including a lot of the folks at the sold out theater in Boston!

I'd bet a snappy rendition of Blair Atholl or Sleepy Maggie would have gathered a better crowd and brought in more money!

[WeaselMender]

Having an a true apreciation for the classics and especialy the violin I would have missed a train WILLINGLY.

Weasel :ootd:

[Bigkahuna]

Wow!! I've made more money than that playing my pipes on the street.Of course people were probably trying to get me to stop.

[KD Burke]

I suspect that busking is more about personality than virtuosity. If Thelonious Monk were alive, hale, and amenable (and capable with a piano!) to perfrming a similar experiment, I suspect he'd garner complaints and be asked to vacate the premises!

Louis Armstrong, on the other hand, would take home a hat full!

[CDNSushi]

I actually watched the vid of that. It was really interesting.

In fact, there are many links to this. Here is one of them:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...040401721.html

[denmcdough]

Beautiful story. Unfortunately, our society is in a mad dash to get to... whatever????

We go through life at such a fast pace, and most of the time we have the blinders on. We don't take time to "smell the roses" (listen to the music). People just don't spend enough time in the moment...too busy thinking about getting to work, what's at work, what to do at home, etc. Dah, be in the moment! Open your eyes and ears to what's in front of your nose.

OK, just my words of wisdom.

[Lyle1]

On the other hand, on a cold morning, during rush hour, most people in that metro station did not have the time to stop. They were either rushing to a train or rushing off a train on the way to work. That they rushed past doesn't mean that they did not hear and appreciate the music; it simply means that they had other priorities at that moment. That he collected $32 dollars from people in a hurry whose wallets were mostly secured under several layers of winter clothes could be considered an indication that he was appreciated.

[CDNSushi]

On the other hand, on a cold morning, during rush hour, most people in that metro station did not have the time to stop. They were either rushing to a train or rushing off a train on the way to work. That they rushed past doesn't mean that they did not hear and appreciate the music; it simply means that they had other priorities at that moment. That he collected $32 dollars from people in a hurry whose wallets were mostly secured under several layers of winter clothes could be considered an indication that he was appreciated.

Lyle, you are right. And I agree, that it would have made more sense to try this experiment with Bell playing someplace and at a time that people COULD take the time to stop and listen rather than during rush hour when everyone's making a mad dash not to be late for work.

Mind you, the $32 wasn't from people in a hurry... One lady recognized him and she put in a $20 note. If it weren't for her, he would've made only $12.

[Jock Scot]

What a missed opportunity. What a shame, but I am not surprised.