An interesting story

[Jenn[_3_]]

This has been going around for awhile.
________________
A Violinist in the Metro


A man sat at a metro station in Washington DC and started to play the
violin; it was a cold January morning. He played six Bach pieces for
about 45 minutes. During that time, since it was rush hour, it was
calculated that thousand of people went through the station, most of
them on their way to work.

Three minutes went by and a middle aged man noticed there was musician
playing. He slowed his pace and stopped for a few seconds and then
hurried up to meet his schedule.

A minute later, the violinist received his first dollar tip: a woman
threw the money in the till and without stopping continued to walk.

A few minutes later, someone leaned against the wall to listen to him,
but the man looked at his watch and started to walk again. Clearly he
was late for work.*

The one who paid the most attention was a 3 year old boy. His mother
tagged him along, hurried but 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. All the parents, without exception, forced them to move on.

In the 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. When he finished playing and silence took over,
no one noticed it. No one applauded, nor was there any recognition.*

No one knew this but 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 before his playing in the subway, Joshua Bell sold out at a
theater in Boston and the seats average $100.

This is a real 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 priorities of people. The outlines were: in
a commonplace environment at an inappropriate hour: Do we perceive
beauty? Do we stop to appreciate it? Do we recognize the talent in an
unexpected context?

[George M. Middius[_4_]]

Jenn said:

> This is a real 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 priorities of people. The outlines were: in
> a commonplace environment at an inappropriate hour: Do we perceive
> beauty? Do we stop to appreciate it? Do we recognize the talent in an
> unexpected context?

Did the "experimenters" take into account the acoustic attributes of a
subway station? They're a long way from perfect.

Other questions suggest themselves as well. Did the reporter attempt to draw
any conclusions about the premise of the "experiment"?

[Clyde Slick]

On 5 Feb, 23:21, Jenn > wrote:
> This has been going around for awhile.
> ________________
> A Violinist in the Metro
>
> A man sat at a metro station in Washington DC and started to play the
> violin; it was a cold January morning. He played six Bach pieces for
> about 45 minutes. During that time, since it was rush hour, it was
> calculated that thousand of people went through the station, most of
> them on their way to work.
>
> Three minutes went by and a middle aged man noticed there was musician
> playing. He slowed his pace and stopped for a few seconds and then
> hurried up to meet his schedule.
>
> A minute later, the violinist received his first dollar tip: a woman
> threw the money in the till and without stopping continued to walk.
>
> A few minutes later, someone leaned against the wall to listen to him,
> but the man looked at his watch and started to walk again. Clearly he
> was late for work.*
>
> The one who paid the most attention was a 3 year old boy. His mother
> tagged him along, hurried but 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. All the parents, without exception, forced them to move on.
>
> In the 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. When he finished playing and silence took over,
> no one noticed it. No one applauded, nor was there any recognition.*
>
> No one knew this but 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 before his playing in the subway, Joshua Bell sold out at a
> theater in Boston and the seats average $100.
>
> This is a real 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 priorities of people. The outlines were: in
> a commonplace environment at an inappropriate hour: Do we perceive
> beauty? Do we stop to appreciate it? Do we recognize the talent in an
> unexpected context?

evidently three year olds do, but that
is before they are sent to school.

[MiNe 109]

In article >,
Jenn > wrote:

> This has been going around for awhile.
> ________________
> A Violinist in the Metro

<snip>

> This is a real 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 priorities of people. The outlines were: in
> a commonplace environment at an inappropriate hour: Do we perceive
> beauty? Do we stop to appreciate it? Do we recognize the talent in an
> unexpected context?

He shouldn't have played by the stairs.

Stephen

[Herbert Hoover[_3_]]

On Thu, 05 Feb 2009 20:21:10 -0800, Jenn > wrote:

>This has been going around for awhile.
>________________
>A Violinist in the Metro
>
>
>A man sat at a metro station in Washington DC and started to play the
>violin; it was a cold January morning. He played six Bach pieces for
>about 45 minutes. During that time, since it was rush hour, it was
>calculated that thousand of people went through the station, most of
>them on their way to work.
>
>Three minutes went by and a middle aged man noticed there was musician
>playing. He slowed his pace and stopped for a few seconds and then
>hurried up to meet his schedule.
>
>A minute later, the violinist received his first dollar tip: a woman
>threw the money in the till and without stopping continued to walk.
>
>A few minutes later, someone leaned against the wall to listen to him,
>but the man looked at his watch and started to walk again. Clearly he
>was late for work.*
>
>The one who paid the most attention was a 3 year old boy. His mother
>tagged him along, hurried but 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. All the parents, without exception, forced them to move on.
>
>In the 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. When he finished playing and silence took over,
>no one noticed it. No one applauded, nor was there any recognition.*
>
>No one knew this but 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 before his playing in the subway, Joshua Bell sold out at a
>theater in Boston and the seats average $100.
>
>This is a real 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 priorities of people. The outlines were: in
>a commonplace environment at an inappropriate hour: Do we perceive
>beauty? Do we stop to appreciate it? Do we recognize the talent in an
>unexpected context?

Well........such experiments miss the point, don't they. The
reason for doing what they did was to create the basis for a story,
not to crerate a real impact. When The Washington Post contributes
substantially to the Arts as a sponsor......*that*s* when I'll take
notice.

The experiment posits we're all too concerned with the mundane
to see the beauty surrounding us. I suppose that's true, but it also
misses the point that mundane life is, on the whole, much more
important.

Leading a happy, productive life(if one can) or struggling
mightily to improve one's circumstance, raising good children, doing
good work (in the sense of one's career), being a good neighbor, all
the warp and woof of everyday life strike me as far more important.

I believe in the contemplation of beauty, and I believe
strongly in setting aside space and time in my mind and daily
circumstance where I can to ponder it, but I'm truly not concerned if
I happened to bypass Joshua Bell one day because I was concerned with
my job or my family, or the terrible circumstances the world and our
beloved US are in now.

[Jenn[_3_]]

In article >,
soundhaspriority > wrote:

> "Jenn" > wrote in message
> ...
>
> >
> > This is a real 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 priorities of people. The outlines were: in
> > a commonplace environment at an inappropriate hour: Do we perceive
> > beauty? Do we stop to appreciate it? Do we recognize the talent in an
> > unexpected context?
>
> Your transparent attempt at attention-getting is fooling no one. You're a
> ****ty musician no matter how you slice it.
>
>
> "I don't really have a career, it's a very gnawing thing"
>
> Robert Morein
> (310) 237-6511
> (215) 646-4894

Thanks, forger.

[Herbert Hoover[_3_]]

On Sat, 7 Feb 2009 10:41:06 -0500, "Soundhaspriority"
> wrote:

>
>"Herbert Hoover" > wrote in message
...
>> On Thu, 05 Feb 2009 20:21:10 -0800, Jenn > wrote:
>>
>[snip]
>> I believe in the contemplation of beauty, and I believe
>> strongly in setting aside space and time in my mind and daily
>> circumstance where I can to ponder it, but I'm truly not concerned if
>> I happened to bypass Joshua Bell one day because I was concerned with
>> my job or my family, or the terrible circumstances the world and our
>> beloved US are in now.
>>
>I understand where you're coming from. But, as someone who has spent a lot
>of time in NYC's subways, the indiference to music, particularly of
>traditional, classical, or even jazz, is shocking.

Why shocking, Bob? People are in the subway to get somewhere, not to
listen to buskers.


> In Times Square Station,
>near the Shuttle, there is a large open space where groups frequently
>perform as drummers on upturned five gallon industrial buckets, at
>ear-splitting volume. They do draw large crowds.

I'm intimately familiar, and you're right. Many people do stop
>
>It's a counterexample. They do stop to listen. And the talent of the
>drummers cannot be denied. But it makes it even more disturbing how
>unappreciative they are of more subtle treats. I've heard some marvelous
>violin on subway platforms. But I usually find myself the only listener of
>passion.
>
Most of us found ourselves here originally because only a very few
people have ever been concerned with musical forms other than Rock,
and how those sounds are reproduced. We're just a small part of that
little group.

If it's not popular in the wider culture - and why should it be? In
the end this is about flavors, and each of us has our own value set
ablout what constitutes a "good" taste. I'm not trying to say that all
tastes are equal. It's just that this fantasy that everyone should be
open all the time to vistas of beuty strikes me
as...welll....fantastic in and of itself.





>Bob Morein
>(310) 237-6511
>
Herbert Hoover 1928-1932
"It Was All Franklin's Fault"

[Harry Lavo]

"Soundhaspriority" > wrote in message
...
>
> "Herbert Hoover" > wrote in message
> ...
>> On Thu, 05 Feb 2009 20:21:10 -0800, Jenn > wrote:
>>
> [snip]
>> I believe in the contemplation of beauty, and I believe
>> strongly in setting aside space and time in my mind and daily
>> circumstance where I can to ponder it, but I'm truly not concerned if
>> I happened to bypass Joshua Bell one day because I was concerned with
>> my job or my family, or the terrible circumstances the world and our
>> beloved US are in now.
>>
> I understand where you're coming from. But, as someone who has spent a lot
> of time in NYC's subways, the indiference to music, particularly of
> traditional, classical, or even jazz, is shocking. In Times Square
> Station, near the Shuttle, there is a large open space where groups
> frequently perform as drummers on upturned five gallon industrial buckets,
> at ear-splitting volume. They do draw large crowds.
>
> It's a counterexample. They do stop to listen. And the talent of the
> drummers cannot be denied. But it makes it even more disturbing how
> unappreciative they are of more subtle treats. I've heard some marvelous
> violin on subway platforms. But I usually find myself the only listener of
> passion.
>
> Bob Morein
> (310) 237-6511


I've stopped to listen to classical guitarists. But others have not.

[George M. Middius[_4_]]

Soundhaspriority said:

> Herbert, whoever you are, your voice is worth knowing by your real name. You
> write with real insight, and with an understanding of relativism.

He's the anti-Krooger.

[John Atkinson[_2_]]

On Feb 7, 12:06 pm, "Soundhaspriority" > wrote:
> Herbert, whoever you are, your voice is worth knowing
> by your real name. You write with real insight, and with
> an understanding of relativism. Consider it.

Given Arny Krueger's recent adventure in "meat
space," I'd advise Herbert to remain anonymous.

John Atkinson
Editor, Stereophile

[MiNe 109]

In article
>,
John Atkinson > wrote:

> On Feb 7, 12:06 pm, "Soundhaspriority" > wrote:
> > Herbert, whoever you are, your voice is worth knowing
> > by your real name. You write with real insight, and with
> > an understanding of relativism. Consider it.
>
> Given Arny Krueger's recent adventure in "meat
> space," I'd advise Herbert to remain anonymous.

What better name for our present economic time?

Stephen

[Herbert Hoover[_3_]]

On Sat, 7 Feb 2009 12:06:42 -0500, "Soundhaspriority"
> wrote:

>
>"Herbert Hoover" > wrote in message
...
>> On Sat, 7 Feb 2009 10:41:06 -0500, "Soundhaspriority"
>> > wrote:
>>
>>>
>>>"Herbert Hoover" > wrote in message
...
>>>> On Thu, 05 Feb 2009 20:21:10 -0800, Jenn > wrote:
>>>>
>>>[snip]
>>>> I believe in the contemplation of beauty, and I believe
>>>> strongly in setting aside space and time in my mind and daily
>>>> circumstance where I can to ponder it, but I'm truly not concerned if
>>>> I happened to bypass Joshua Bell one day because I was concerned with
>>>> my job or my family, or the terrible circumstances the world and our
>>>> beloved US are in now.
>>>>
>>>I understand where you're coming from. But, as someone who has spent a lot
>>>of time in NYC's subways, the indiference to music, particularly of
>>>traditional, classical, or even jazz, is shocking.
>>
>> Why shocking, Bob? People are in the subway to get somewhere, not to
>> listen to buskers.
>>
>>
>>> In Times Square Station,
>>>near the Shuttle, there is a large open space where groups frequently
>>>perform as drummers on upturned five gallon industrial buckets, at
>>>ear-splitting volume. They do draw large crowds.
>>
>> I'm intimately familiar, and you're right. Many people do stop
>>>
>>>It's a counterexample. They do stop to listen. And the talent of the
>>>drummers cannot be denied. But it makes it even more disturbing how
>>>unappreciative they are of more subtle treats. I've heard some marvelous
>>>violin on subway platforms. But I usually find myself the only listener of
>>>passion.
>>>
>> Most of us found ourselves here originally because only a very few
>> people have ever been concerned with musical forms other than Rock,
>> and how those sounds are reproduced. We're just a small part of that
>> little group.
>>
>> If it's not popular in the wider culture - and why should it be? In
>> the end this is about flavors, and each of us has our own value set
>> ablout what constitutes a "good" taste. I'm not trying to say that all
>> tastes are equal. It's just that this fantasy that everyone should be
>> open all the time to vistas of beuty strikes me
>> as...welll....fantastic in and of itself.
>>
>Herbert, whoever you are, your voice is worth knowing by your real name. You
>write with real insight, and with an understanding of relativism. Consider
>it.
>
>Bob Morein
>(310) 237-6511

Thank you, Bob. That's very kind of you.

I would, in fact, post under my name, but I've been around too long
and I know better. Mr. Krueger is genuinely dangerous. He can and does
cause other folk pain and dislocation. He seeks conflict the way the
way others seek community.

As with several other valuable members here, Mr. Krueger has proven
too dangerous to allow into our everyday lives. imply put, his
harrassment, lies, made-up charges and all that goes with his behavior
here become permanent records on the net.

Some of us with family, careers, jobs, and reputations have too much
at risk to allow an obessive/compulsive paranoid to allow him any
purchase.

Herbert Hoover

[George M. Middius[_4_]]

Soundhaspriority said:

> A very valid reason, unfortunately. Given that I have a problem with Brian
> L. McCarty, perhaps I should have not made the suggestion.

You still haven't apologized for doing the same thing Krooger did to Marc.

[Shhhh! I'm Listening to Reason!]

On Feb 7, 11:24*am, John Atkinson > wrote:
> On Feb 7, 12:06 pm, "Soundhaspriority" > wrote:
>
> > Herbert, whoever you are, your voice is worth knowing
> > by your real name. You write with real insight, and with
> > an understanding of relativism. *Consider it.
>
> Given Arny Krueger's recent adventure in "meat
> space," I'd advise Herbert to remain anonymous.

I second that emotion, but I'd end your sentence at "Given Arny
Krueger".

[Clyde Slick]

On 7 Feb, 18:54, "Soundhaspriority" > wrote:
> "Herbert Hoover" > wrote in message

>
> > Some of us with family, careers, jobs, and reputations have too much
> > at risk to allow an obessive/compulsive paranoid to allow him any
> > purchase.
>
> > Herbert Hoover
>
> A very valid reason, unfortunately. Given that I have a problem with Brian
> L. McCarty, perhaps I should have not made the suggestion.
>

You sniveling pathetic hypocrite. What about the time
you went real world on Boob (marc Philli[s) and
sent a derogatory email to Marc's employer.
It is EXACTLY the same thing that Arny did to Marc.
and you did it only because you felt that Marc slighted you in a
usenet post.
You acted like a pathetic piece of ****, Bob.
You still have not apologized for it.

[Herbert Hoover[_3_]]

On 2009-02-07 18:54:37 -0500, "Soundhaspriority" > said:

>
> "Herbert Hoover" > wrote in message
> ...
>> On Sat, 7 Feb 2009 12:06:42 -0500, "Soundhaspriority"
> [snip]
>>
>> I would, in fact, post under my name, but I've been around too long
>> and I know better. Mr. Krueger is genuinely dangerous. He can and does
>> cause other folk pain and dislocation. He seeks conflict the way the
>> way others seek community.
>>
>> As with several other valuable members here, Mr. Krueger has proven
>> too dangerous to allow into our everyday lives. imply put, his
>> harrassment, lies, made-up charges and all that goes with his behavior
>> here become permanent records on the net.
>>
>> Some of us with family, careers, jobs, and reputations have too much
>> at risk to allow an obessive/compulsive paranoid to allow him any
>> purchase.
>>
>> Herbert Hoover
>
>
> A very valid reason, unfortunately. Given that I have a problem with Brian
> L. McCarty, perhaps I should have not made the suggestion.
>
> You asked about posting of wav files from the session. I have restricted
> distribution to people I have known for many years by their real names. To
> use an old, sexist phrase, they are "men [and women] of honor", who can be
> trusted to do the right thing, or not do, as the occasion requires.
>
> After reading a few posts, I finally made the connection with a personality
> I had known only as a pseudonym, perhaps five years back? Then, as now, you
> gave the impression of intelligence and responsibility. Unfortunately, none
> of this is complete without a name, which is why I made the suggestion.
>
> If I had fully understood the dark side of usenet, perhaps I, too, would
> have chosen anonymity.
>
> Bob Morein
> (310) 237-6511

Bob, it might have been me, but probably not. My history here goes
back further than that. I left for a *very* long time - because
fKreger, natch. I've been back sporadically as a lurker. I think I may
have posted something back around 5 years ago, but truly can't remember.

There have been a raft of intelligent, responsible folk here over the
years. As much as I'd like t claim credit, 'm not sure I can. I cam
here because love both music *and* audio. I've been fortunate to have
had two first rate engineering/remastering studios as clients, so I
understand how the "stuff" is put together, and I've become immersed in
the boundaries between skill and talent and the differences between
those things. It helps that I used to play instruments as well. Maybe
not too talented (well...no talent) but long enough and well enough to
be awed by the difficulties..

I posted what I did (about the web) not because I thought you should
send me something) but because that allows for easy transer and
communication between whatever people you want to hear your work. One
upload on your part, and every one who needs to can gain access, plus
the file format will allow the best quality.

As for anonymity: it's never too late. Bwian is another genuine psycho.

Herbert