[deleted]
violinist playing in a train Station...
He played six Bach pieces for about 60 minutes. During that time approximately 2,000 people went through the station, most of them on their way to work.
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
The violinist received his first dollar: a woman threw the money in the till 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 three year old boy stopped but his mother tugged him along hurriedly, as the kid stopped to look at the violinist. Finally 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 them to move on.
45 minutes
The musician played. Only 6 people stopped and stayed for a while. About 20 gave him money but continued to walk their normal pace. He collected $32.
1 hour
He finished playing and silence took over. No one noticed. No one applauded, nor was there any recognition.
This is a real story. The Washington Post, as part of a social experiment about perception, taste and people's priorities, arranged the entire scenario. Playing incognito, no one knew the violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the best musicians in the world. He played one of the most intricate pieces ever written, with a violin worth $3.5 million dollars. Two days prior to this, Joshua Bell sold out a theatre in Boston where the tickets averaged $100 per seat.
In a common place environment at an inappropriate hour, do we perceive beauty; do we stop to appreciate it? do we recognize talent in such an unexpected context?
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.
How many other things do we miss?
Dave-the-Pub-muso
Ain't that the truth...Human nature - sorry state of affairs...
[deleted]
Listen to the guy play... Wow
Bob-Dubery
People who are rushing in and out of stations are probably rushing to their work or business. The context is wrong. When we go to listen to music this is time we have reserved for listening to music, and we are primed for that and receptive to that. When we're rushing to an appointment we are pre-occupied with other things. We rush past the busker rather than stopping to listen because we don't have the time to stop and listen.
If this experiment actually took place then it's a crock.
[deleted]
Bob Dubery wrote:
People who are rushing in and out of stations are probably rushing to their work or business. The context is wrong. When we go to listen to music this is time we have reserved for listening to music, and we are primed for that and receptive to that. When we're rushing to an appointment we are pre-occupied with other things. We rush past the busker rather than stopping to listen because we don't have the time to stop and listen.
If this experiment actually took place then it's a crock.
I get what you saying... But
If you on your way to the airport, saw Richard Thompson sitting there on the bench playing some tunes waiting for his flight, you would just meander past and not even look his way? cause you need to get somewhere? Everybody has 1 minute... SURELY?
[deleted]
Ah... It's all been discussed before... ? Doesnt help joining a Forum after all these things have been discussed.
I'll read through that.
I think it still has a good message underlying it all, flawed and all. ?
[deleted]
Alan Ratcliffe wrote:
I'm in total agreement with Bob. The experiment was done during morning rush hour, when everyone has someplace else to be. People catching trains to get to work have their schedules timed to the minute (or is that just me?).
Ok Maybe I'm different... If I bump into Tommy Emmanuel at the airport... I'll call in sick. Life is to short... Maybe it's just me, But I got all the time in the world.
I don't mind people waiting for me ? (no i'm not arrogant ?)
Bob-Dubery
Brentcgp wrote:
Alan Ratcliffe wrote:
I'm in total agreement with Bob. The experiment was done during morning rush hour, when everyone has someplace else to be. People catching trains to get to work have their schedules timed to the minute (or is that just me?).
Ok Maybe I'm different... If I bump into Tommy Emmanuel at the airport... I'll call in sick. Life is to short... Maybe it's just me, But I got all the time in the world.
Sure. And I'd have stood and watched Joshua Bell if I
knew he was Joshua Bell.
AlanRatcliffe
Yeah - if you looked long enough to realize it was Tommy. But you wouldn't expect to see him there, so you probably wouldn't be looking either. The human brain filters out repetitious things and only pays attention to what stands out as different. So if you've been travelling through the station every day (possibly for years) and have seen thousands of buskers, you wouldn't look closely.
[deleted]
okay okay ? I understand. I do agree with you guys, but I'm just looking deeper into it.
Talent that's all I see... I never knew about him, but dam I know when I hear something good!
Brent has been owned by Alan AND Bob ?
DonovanB
Brentcgp wrote:
Brent has been owned by Alan AND Bob ?
well...
Brentcgp wrote:
How many other things do we miss?
question answered....
Ray
Brentcgp wrote:
I don't mind people waiting for me ? (no i'm not arrogant ?)
Hehehe....Apparently some of the waiters and folks at Stake and Ale dont either ne? Keira posted something like this a few months back. Same story or did he have another go at the station? If it was the same guy then he has far too much time on his hands. Or maybe should have gone to another station (where you stay Brent?) Tell you what, if someone works for me and says he had to stick to hear someone playing the violin at the station and so he missed the train and now he is one two hours late, I say I perform a bit. If he tells me that the taxi drivers or train drivers are on strike and it is true then I say shit oke , glad to see you. Well done for getting here.
MikeM
I once walked past Tony Hawk (Famous skater dude back in the day) - actually he walked past me, and I thought OMG Tony Hawk but by the time I turned around to follow him he had body guards all around him ☹
DonovanB
Do striking workers singing and dancing count as busking?
aubs1
Just as a matter of interest.......just the other day an incredible guitarist who has played with really BIG NAMES joined this very forum, and as Alan says, the brain does'nt register immediately, and very few people "clicked", if any....... I just happen to hold this musician, namely Caleb Quaye, in such high esteem that I was almost "shocked" out of my chair when I saw his name, and as one person remarked: "is this THE Caleb Quaye?"......really did NOT expect him to be on here......same thing..... ? ?
MikeM
:-[ I have no idea who that is. But I am going to google now ?
Edit - WOW what a legend!
[deleted]
You know I think some people missed the point of the thread too. Exactly what the thread is about.
YES the experiment is flawed in more ways than one.
But there is a message. Thats what i understood about the story, the pay attention and great things might be around the corner...
Thats why I posted it...
my last
Sean
It's true Brent. With the hustle and bustle of life, I think we all miss a lot of things ?
chris77
I'm gonna be soppy and side with Brent. The point the experiment made was not that a Famous! International! Superstar!! played in a sub-station and nobody noticed. The point, imo, was rather that the very best of a certain genre was performed and the daily mob was too preoccupied to notice. It is a commentary on how society has been spoon fed to the point that if something extraordinary is presented out of context, the majority will not recognize it for its true value. Hang a Picasso in the museum of modern art and people will stop and take note. Hang the same piece in the lobby of a hotel and it will be largely ignored. The experiment is further validated by the comments saying that it was a k@k time of day and nobody knew that the artist is actually a celebrity in his field. What would be the point of finding Wally (or was he called Waldo? I forget...) if there was a big neon arrow on the same page pointing to his head? Sure, a neutral sterile environment and participants not going about their daily tasks would have probably yielded a different result. Taking away the social context however totally negates the purpose of the experiment. It meant to highlight a part of modern human behavior and, I think, did so brilliantly.
