Washington DC Metro Station on a cold January
morning in 2007. He played six Bach pieces for
about 45 minutes. During that time approximately 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 till and, without stopping, continued to
walk.
6 minutes later:
A young man leaned against the wall to listen to him, then looked at his watch and started to walk again.
10 minutes later:
A3 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 wasrepeated by several other children. Every parent, without exception, forced them to move on.
45 minutes later:
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 later:
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 best musicians in the world. He played one of the most intricate pieces ever written, on 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 real story. Joshua Bell playing incognito in the metro station was organized by the Washington Postas part of a social experiment about perception, taste and people's priorities.
The questions : In a common place environment at an inappropriate hour or busy hours, do we perceive beauty? Do we stop to appreciate it? Do we recognize talent in an unexpected context?I want to know...Do we miss the best things in life........
One possible conclusion reached from this experiment could be: 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 are we missing?
Very nice article !..there is no point on hurrying on things...if you fail admire them..you are never going to get another opportunity.
Enjoy every little thing as you pass by !
Nice article...thought provoking really!!!!
Its in the little things tht happiness is hidden....sunlight on a cold and blustery day, flowers on the dining table, a cuppa coffee wih a friend, the sunrise, sunset, the sea...the list is endless but if only we made the time:-))