Re: Do We Perceive Beauty in an Unexpected Context

["Kris Hartung" <krispen.hartung@gmail.com>]

I guess you guys are really optimistic and I am a real downer.   :)  If I 
were on my way to work and heard someone of that caliber, I could justify at 
least a pause, a 15-30 second stop to listen. I don't give them that excuse 
of work, when even 30 seconds would mean something.

----- Original Message ----- 



> I concur!  I would naturally assume that on the way to work people are less 
> likely to pay much attention.  In addition the pennies given to him could 
> have been for a variety of reasons, like [a] all the change they could 
> spare, [b] a gesture more than just passing by.  I would put forth that 
> while going home people are more capable of appreciating a beautiful 
> performance.  Any folks with busking experience out there?
>
> > One thing that this story possibly suggests to me is that the  average 
> > person has to be told what is good art or music, etc, and  they don't 
> > have the ability to discern it themselves.
>
> I don't think we can assume that's the case in this instance. If the
> majority of those people were on their way to work, they didn't have
> time to stop and listen. They may very have arrived at work and told
> their co-workers that they had just heard the most insanely talented
> violin player in the subway, and regretted they didn't have time to
> listen more.
>
> Jeff