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Perception...something to think about?

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tinkerbell23 | 22:17 Sun 05th Aug 2012 | ChatterBank
26 Answers
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?
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Saw this...and liked it..thought id share x
tinkerbell. XX

that is very profound -- and certainly food for thought.
I think it is as some people are in a world of their own they would not notice such a thing. Also if they had paid $100 for a ticket they would make up their minds to enjoy it.

It is a bit like having fun. If you try to so then you often can not.
Very true Tinks, it's so sad, life is such a fast rat race we rarely stop to see the beauty around us ..............
I'd hope so

I'd hope so

Yes

A great deal
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Always in a rush xxx
Is it true? why use a $3.5 million dollar violin?
How much we are missing while we go rushing by x
As Humbersloop since I slowed down to smell the roses and liked it there.

Why not Mick?

Nice Tinks....love Ma x
Sad to say but there is a time and a place for everything, all is rush and push. Our everyday life is commited to time to meet the deadlines of our making. In this day and age our children are not able to have the freedoms and experiences that we once had.
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Even if its not true...thought provoking :0)

Hey ma<3 xxxx
Have you clicked the link, tinks?
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I did mick...ill read properley tomorrow it looked reallllly long lol ;0>

half watching a film xxxx
Lol...It wasn't to read, watch the short film clip
You are having a laugh Mick....!!! I got half way through that before I checked how long it was...and thought, like Tinks, I'll finish it tomorrow...doh
I never read anything, I just watched the clip
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Its looong....ill have a scan through tomorrow..x
I'll bang my head against the wall one more time ...... if you click on the link then play the video 'pearls before breakfast'

It confirms the story is true.
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Aww bugger MT im on iphone/ipad so wont let me! Thats why i didnt see a viedo! Doh- mabye theres a youtube link x

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