The people at the Washington Post Magazine decided to conduct an experiment. They had Joshua Bell, one of the world’s leading violinists, set up as a street performer at the entrance of a Washington, D.C., Metro station and start playing his violin. Would people notice? Would he be showered with money? Would there be a riot?
Um, no.
In the three-quarters of an hour that Joshua Bell played, seven people stopped what they were doing to hang around and take in the performance, at least for a minute. Twenty-seven gave money, most of them on the run — for a total of $32 and change. That leaves the 1,070 people who hurried by, oblivious, many only three feet away, few even turning to look.
The article, by Post staff writer Gene Weingarten, is awesome. Highly recommended: Pearls Before Breakfast.
Humm…how many times is Jesus at work or is someone in need and we hurry by just as oblivious?
This is one of my favorite studies, Ed. I read an article on it awhile ago. It did two things for me: it caused me to stop and really listen when I hear musicians in a place like that, and (oddly) it caused me to wonder if we all take ourselves too seriously, as well. I mean, top violinist in the world and still no one notices much. Kind of comforting if you have kind of an off day!
Until one watches the intensity of this young mans face and understands the dedication involved, you can never understand the investment required for what is taken for granted by the general public.
This young man is God given for all, but enjoyed by only a few who understand the depth of his intensity.
Robert,
Thanks for sharing. I couldn’t agree more.