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Perception...

Started by Nana1Popo2, October 24, 2009, 11:45:31 AM

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Nana1Popo2

Wasn't sure if this would be the best forum to put this in.

Anyway, I found this article sad but very true:

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 approx. 2 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 common place 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?
Kappa Kappa Psi, National Honorary Band Fraternity; ASU Alumnus '16; DCP '16

Cobraroll

Fun thing is, if he had played the Super Mario Bros. theme, he'd almost certainly have several times what he did with Bach.

But I agree, this is quite weird. Says something about target groups, though. In a metro station during a given hour, you usually won't find many people who will recognise musical masterpieces. The people going to the concert the days before probably knew both their violinology and Bach. They had expectations, knew what to expect, and could tell a musician from another. And they weren't on a run to their work.
Also, if one person had stopped, listened and paid attention to him, a crowd would have gathered, I'm pretty sure. People would think "Why is he stopping? Is he just listening to... wow, that guy is really good" or something like that.

Though, makes you think....
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Yes, I'm still around from time to time. For quicker response, you can reach me by PM, or drop by Smogon to say hi. I go by "Codraroll" there, because of a bet.

Nana1Popo2

exactly!

and its a shame that most people didnt even acknowledge him playing there. theyre too worried about where they have to be or where theyre going, to notice what was going on at the moment around them.
Kappa Kappa Psi, National Honorary Band Fraternity; ASU Alumnus '16; DCP '16

KefkaticFanatic

ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooold

Like seriously, don't bother posting stuff that's months old like this.  And don't copypasta articles, just post a link in the thoughts topic IF IT'S STILL RECENT AND RELEVANT.



me irl
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Nana1Popo2

Quote from: KefkaticFanatic on October 24, 2009, 03:31:32 PMooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooold

Like seriously, don't bother posting stuff that's months old like this.  And don't copypasta articles, just post a link in the thoughts topic IF IT'S STILL RECENT AND RELEVANT.

well i didnt know it was THAT old. i just learned about it last week. and besides, my band teacher posted this on our website so i couldn't give a "link" to the original article. and besides, i just wanted to get people's opinions..
Kappa Kappa Psi, National Honorary Band Fraternity; ASU Alumnus '16; DCP '16

KefkaticFanatic




me irl
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Nana1Popo2

Quote from: KefkaticFanatic on October 24, 2009, 04:36:16 PMWell you got mine.

woops, i said "and besides" twice... >.> sorry bout that......

and, true, but i was looking for opinions about the article itself as in the information :D
Kappa Kappa Psi, National Honorary Band Fraternity; ASU Alumnus '16; DCP '16

Brassman388

Psychology, fun. Depressing story.

SuperFireKirby

I think I'll walk a liitle slower on my way to school next time. See if I notice a little more beauty than usual.

Oh, and SHUT UP KEFKA. God, you just ruin my day with your crap. no one wants to hear it.

Quote from: Mashi on March 26, 2013, 05:54:37 PMAfter viewing both FMA:Brotherhood and Naruto Shippuden, it would be frivolous to even consider watching an anime as unbearably mediocre as Melancholy. NARUTOxHINATA 4 LYFE!!!

KefkaticFanatic

Silly you, that was exactly the intention.  Thanks.



me irl
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Dude

Quote from: SuperFireKirby on October 28, 2009, 03:09:33 PMI think I'll walk a liitle slower on my way to school next time. See if I notice a little more beauty than usual.

Oh, and SHUT UP KEFKA. God, you just ruin my day with your crap. no one wants to hear it.
I do.

dahans

So do I. Please SFK stop making such offensive comments, they are useless.
Check out my arrangements! I mean it! Check them out!

KefkaticFanatic

My asshattery is just that interesting.



me irl
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