Make sure you stop and smell the roses!

[Jeramie]

Very interesting and 100% 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..

Only one person 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?

How many special persons pass us by and we do not MAKE ANY EFFORT TO get to know them?

It’s worthy to note that a very short time after, Joshua Bell was given an award and deemed “The best Classical Musician in America.”

Below is the video and article by the Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/04/04/AR2007040401721.html

[Alisha]

Thanks for posting this Jeramie.

I have watched this before and it really makes you stop and think. We are so busy and consumed with our own lives that we often forget to slow down and appreciate the simple things.

[Alisha]

Another note - I wish they would conduct this same study in a small town to see what the reaction would be.

[Jeramie]

I agree. Things are a little slower paced outside of the big cities!

[stevebeilgard]

good post. we don't stop often enough to enjoy the wonderfull things all around us, starting with our own family.

[HUNTINGMAN]

Wow, 3.5 million for a violin,that's insane. I'm shocked he didn't get robbed or mugged the way things are now days,money laying in plain sight.I used to listen to a little bethoven when I was wanting to unwind. I think if he tried that in a small town he might have beer cans thrown at him.

[RangerClay]

Wow. I often tell my daughter stories why we don't live in the city. I will be sure to share this with her. Thank you!

[wtnhunt]

Interesting study/experiment. Good post too.

[Dawg]

Neat story. Really makes you think of how much beauty we take for granted in our lives.

Edited May 13, 2010 by Dawg

[Prairiepredator]

Interesting story! Really makes you stop and think for a second. Thanks for sharing that!