AVFCLaura Posted December 16, 2009 Author Share Posted December 16, 2009 Mike knows... Rupert is banned from being mentioned, ty. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjmooney Posted December 16, 2009 VT Supporter Share Posted December 16, 2009 Can you spot a serial killer from a geek? I can: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KAZZAM Posted December 16, 2009 Share Posted December 16, 2009 Can you spot a serial killer from a geek? I can: 8/10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjmooney Posted December 16, 2009 VT Supporter Share Posted December 16, 2009 Washington, DC Metro Station on a cold January morning. A man with a violin plays six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes. During that time approx. 2 thousand people passed 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 valued at $3.5 million dollars. Two days before, Joshua Bell sold out a theater in Boston where the price of 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 commonplace 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… what else are we missing? Interesting (or maybe not). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarewsEyebrowDesigner Posted December 16, 2009 Share Posted December 16, 2009 It's a bit like my friend who is unreal on the guitar, regularly plays concerts and got a scholarship to a uni in America (Brown i think it was) through his music, yet he often sat in town and busked in order to earn some money and no one noticed! I think it's a nice experiment though, kinda makes you think that behind every face lies a gift that no one else will hear/see, and only those that pay attention will realise the beauty of it. It's a nice thought that makes a change to the 'we are all just a fecking lump of chemicals' existentialism that usually haunts this place Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wiganvillain Posted December 16, 2009 Share Posted December 16, 2009 What seems remarkable to me is the children noticing and being interested, there is hope for a musical future after all outside of the "got talent" crapfests Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AVFCLaura Posted December 16, 2009 Author Share Posted December 16, 2009 The most important part of that piece though would be - inappropriate hour - If I'm in a train station and I was passed by Martin O'Neill shouting that he was giving away free season tickets I probably wouldn't notice. I'm in a rush, I am worried about my bags, missing my train and things not going to plan. I have also, like most travellers, allowed myself the appropriate time to board, with a small buffer - not factoring in any time spent talking to someone / listening to a busker etc. Even if I did spot MON, I'd know how much of a logistical nightmare it'd be if I missed my train - so I'd probably have to keep going Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chindie Posted December 16, 2009 VT Supporter Share Posted December 16, 2009 I think you could do a similar experiment at any hour and get a similar result frankly. Interesting though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjmooney Posted December 16, 2009 VT Supporter Share Posted December 16, 2009 It's a nice thought that makes a change to the 'we are all just a fecking lump of chemicals' existentialism that usually haunts this place Having (musical or otherwise) talent, and being a lump of chemicals are not mutually exclusive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparey16 Posted December 16, 2009 Share Posted December 16, 2009 4th uni offer - from birmingham city uni Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anthony Posted December 16, 2009 VT Supporter Share Posted December 16, 2009 I'd probably stop and listen, but then, I don't have a job. I recall a few years ago stopping to listen to some classical buskers in Helsinki, they were excellent. My then (Finnish) girlfriend tried to pull me along but I resisted. I did have a job then though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cheltenham_villa Posted December 17, 2009 Share Posted December 17, 2009 another factor worth mentioning is peoples tastes. I for one dont particularly enjoy classical music and so wouldnt have stopped. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stevo985 Posted December 17, 2009 VT Supporter Share Posted December 17, 2009 Just got up. I won't see 6 am again until January Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brumerican Posted December 17, 2009 Share Posted December 17, 2009 Erm its a snow blizzard in Erdington at the moment :shock: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Santa_Rosa Posted December 17, 2009 Share Posted December 17, 2009 Snowing in Sunderland. Best not wear my Villa shirt to 6 a side tonight in case I slip in the snow and get accused of being a diving get Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BOF Posted December 17, 2009 Moderator Share Posted December 17, 2009 I'm finally FIIIIINALLY making a long long overdue return to Villa Park :D Over for the Hammers game in Jan Can't wait. Session the Saturday beforehand! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AVFC-Prideofbrum Posted December 17, 2009 Share Posted December 17, 2009 When was the last time you went BOF? How come not been so long? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rjw63 Posted December 17, 2009 Share Posted December 17, 2009 So we might finally get to meet the great Irish Sumo fan then? :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BOF Posted December 17, 2009 Moderator Share Posted December 17, 2009 When was the last time you went BOF? How come not been so long? For shame :oops: Just got into a routine, a bad routine. I have another game pencilled in later on too, maybe 2. So we might finally get to meet the great Irish Sumo fan then? Yes we can discuss the merits of yotsu over oshi Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chindie Posted December 17, 2009 VT Supporter Share Posted December 17, 2009 Nice one BOF. Made me think a bit harder about scraping together some money and try and make a game while I'm back. Knowing my luck I still won't manage it! On a different note, we had an interesting bit of advertising put through our door tonight - for an undertaker. I dunno why but I always assumed that they're the kind of profession you don't need to advertise door to door really. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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