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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: 6 minutes: 10 minutes: 45 minutes: 1 hour: 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? · How many times have you been the person that listens, pauses but keeps on with your conversation? · How many times have you been the young man who leans on the wall to listen but check the clock and keep on moving? · How many times have you been the kid in this story that hears something, stops several times but then not address the issue?
As the best best members at mmorpg.com we all have a chance to do something special . Sometimes we just have to remember to stop and listen so we aren’t missing anything. We have an opportunity to make a monumental impact for our members with each insight and view. A value can not be placed on helping a member achieve his goals or helping a member find whats right for him. Or better yet giving the wisdom so a player can enjoy his time in whatever mmorpg he desires. Let’s hear the music !! Do not let your opinion not be heard. 
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::applaud:: Good post!
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Scalebane
 Elite Member
Joined: 10/28/06
Yours is not the path of force, though force is often needed to clear the path. |
Very nice post, we need more stuff like this hehe...i'm trying not to troll as much >.>
We are all ignorant until truth is revealed to us.. However.. How do we know the truth is not in fact a lie.. "When a man has lost everything, he may despair and die. He might give his soul to the fate's... or, he can resolve to take action." "The great thing about human language is that it prevents us from sticking to the matter at hand." |
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Seems rather pointless. What good is the world's best violinist playing when I'm late for work? That's really not an appropriate time for me to listen to violin music. Nor is his performance worth the same $100.00 it might be in a concert hall where the situation is controlled so I can hear the music without the sounds of the subway around or whatever else is going on. It's like you offered me a meal from the worlds best chef. Right after I just ate at Taco Bell. yes, you're offering me something wonderful, but not at the appropriate time since I'm not hungry now and could not enjoy it. I would rather pay 100 dollars and watch the guy play the violin when I have the time and inclination to enjoy the music.
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Chealar
 Advanced Member
Joined: 9/11/09
We are star-stuff, the Universe made manifest, trying to figure itself out. |
I think that is the whole point: we might fail to recognise beauty or intelligence when going about our everyday life.
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What people tend not to realize is, if your 5 minutes late for work and see a beautiful piece of music, your much better off then the man who just rushed by. Allowing time and a open mind allows one to function happier and more creatively. 9 times out of 10 the greatest accomplishments in mankind are mad when they arent moving at all. Then again that is all opinion hehe. I personally just take things slowly:D |
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Chealar
Advanced Member
Joined: 9/11/09
We are star-stuff, the Universe made manifest, trying to figure itself out. |
You're happier if being 5 minutes doesn't get you fired though: it you're a "repeat offender" and/or have a strict boss... But yes, in general, allowing for your brain to "cool down", to stop rushing for a minute is actually good: It's proven that during examen, taking 5 minutes to doodle allows your mental process to restart afresh. And the brain cannot hold attention on one subject for more than 45 minutes, so a pause very so often is useful.
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Originally posted by Techleo
I want something when I want it, not when you throw it at me. When I'm on the way to work I'm really not in the mood to stop and listen to some great music. I'm not in a relaxed state of mind that would be conducive to enjoying it. I'd much rather go to the concert hall on Saturday night when I have plenty of time to relax and concentrate on the music and give it my full attention. I don't feel like I've missed anything, because I wouldn't be in the mood to enjoy it.
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PsychoMarine
 Advanced Member
Joined: 10/18/09
Bravery is not the absence of fear, but the forging ahead despite being afraid. |
Originally posted by Ihmotepp
I want something when I want it, not when you throw it at me. When I'm on the way to work I'm really not in the mood to stop and listen to some great music. I'm not in a relaxed state of mind that would be conducive to enjoying it. I'd much rather go to the concert hall on Saturday night when I have plenty of time to relax and concentrate on the music and give it my full attention. I don't feel like I've missed anything, because I wouldn't be in the mood to enjoy it.
I agree with you 100%, I would also like to enjoy something when I want to enjoy it. But, let's say you're rushing to work and you happen upon this aforementioned violinist, or just any musician. In the middle of the work day, all you can really think about is work work work. Who's to say you can't stop for even just a few seconds so you're not late, to stop and listen, relax, calm down, and then proceed onto work? You don't have to stop and enjoy the full show. I can honestly say I wouldn't either, but I wouldn't miss the chance to stop and take a few seconds, maybe a few minutes to admire some quality music, even if in an unusual venue. I am your enemy, the first one you've ever had who was smarter than you. There is no teacher but the enemy. No one but the enemy will ever tell you what the enemy is going to do. No one but the enemy will ever teach you how to destroy and conquer. Only the enemy shows you where you are weak. Only the enemy tells you where he is strong. And the rules of the game are what you can do to him and what you can stop him from doing to you. I am your enemy from now on. From now on, I am your teacher. |
Originally posted by PsychoMarine
I agree with you 100%, I would also like to enjoy something when I want to enjoy it. But, let's say you're rushing to work and you happen upon this aforementioned violinist, or just any musician. In the middle of the work day, all you can really think about is work work work. Who's to say you can't stop for even just a few seconds so you're not late, to stop and listen, relax, calm down, and then proceed onto work? You don't have to stop and enjoy the full show. I can honestly say I wouldn't either, but I wouldn't miss the chance to stop and take a few seconds, maybe a few minutes to admire some quality music, even if in an unusual venue.
My point is the original poster acts as if the person that does stop to enjoy the music is somehow superior to the person that does not. My point is, I would not enjoy it, so I'm not missing anything by not stopping. I don't care how wonderful it is, if I'm not in the mood for it there wouldn't be any enjoyment to be derived from listening to it. Are you always in the mood to listen to some great music 24/7 365 days a week? Of course not. In fact, the music might be annoying since I'm not in the mood for it, even though at another time I might enjoy it. And the children being tugged along by their parents? Those children would stop to watch a dog lick itself. Children are amused by just about anything, and have no capability of reflecting on anything but the present. I am sure the children don't care where they are going and when they get there, regardless of where it is.
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Bigdavo
 Hard Core Member
Joined: 1/21/06
''Life is what you make of it, not what others make of yours.'' |
Originally posted by Ihmotepp
I agree with you 100%, I would also like to enjoy something when I want to enjoy it. But, let's say you're rushing to work and you happen upon this aforementioned violinist, or just any musician. In the middle of the work day, all you can really think about is work work work. Who's to say you can't stop for even just a few seconds so you're not late, to stop and listen, relax, calm down, and then proceed onto work? You don't have to stop and enjoy the full show. I can honestly say I wouldn't either, but I wouldn't miss the chance to stop and take a few seconds, maybe a few minutes to admire some quality music, even if in an unusual venue.
My point is the original poster acts as if the person that does stop to enjoy the music is somehow superior to the person that does not. My point is, I would not enjoy it, so I'm not missing anything by not stopping. I don't care how wonderful it is, if I'm not in the mood for it there wouldn't be any enjoyment to be derived from listening to it. Are you always in the mood to listen to some great music 24/7 365 days a week? Of course not. In fact, the music might be annoying since I'm not in the mood for it, even though at another time I might enjoy it. And the children being tugged along by their parents? Those children would stop to watch a dog lick itself. Children are amused by just about anything, and have no capability of reflecting on anything but the present. I am sure the children don't care where they are going and when they get there, regardless of where it is.
Actually the OP never stated nor implied that the person who stops to listen is somehow superior, I'm not sure how you came to such a conclusion. The funny thing is you are the exact type of person who would'nt notice it nor stop for it, how would you know if you enjoyed it or not if you already acknowledged you wouldn't be stopping to listen? Maybe you aren't in the mood for music, but maybe by stopping and listening you could change your mood? This is the crux of the story. I'm not saying there is anything wrong or inferior about you for not stopping, most people wouldn't stop, I'm not sure if I would either. O_o o_O |
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If people would have known who he was, they would have stopped, listened and applauded. |
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Originally posted by Bigdavo
My point is the original poster acts as if the person that does stop to enjoy the music is somehow superior to the person that does not. My point is, I would not enjoy it, so I'm not missing anything by not stopping. I don't care how wonderful it is, if I'm not in the mood for it there wouldn't be any enjoyment to be derived from listening to it. Are you always in the mood to listen to some great music 24/7 365 days a week? Of course not. In fact, the music might be annoying since I'm not in the mood for it, even though at another time I might enjoy it. And the children being tugged along by their parents? Those children would stop to watch a dog lick itself. Children are amused by just about anything, and have no capability of reflecting on anything but the present. I am sure the children don't care where they are going and when they get there, regardless of where it is.
Actually the OP never stated nor implied that the person who stops to listen is somehow superior, I'm not sure how you came to such a conclusion. The funny thing is you are the exact type of person who would'nt notice it nor stop for it, how would you know if you enjoyed it or not if you already acknowledged you wouldn't be stopping to listen? Maybe you aren't in the mood for music, but maybe by stopping and listening you could change your mood? This is the crux of the story. I'm not saying there is anything wrong or inferior about you for not stopping, most people wouldn't stop, I'm not sure if I would either.
The part in green infers a closed mind, and inability to realize what you are missing. I would see that as calling someone inferior.
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Originally posted by Ihmotepp
My point is the original poster acts as if the person that does stop to enjoy the music is somehow superior to the person that does not. My point is, I would not enjoy it, so I'm not missing anything by not stopping. I don't care how wonderful it is, if I'm not in the mood for it there wouldn't be any enjoyment to be derived from listening to it. Are you always in the mood to listen to some great music 24/7 365 days a week? Of course not. In fact, the music might be annoying since I'm not in the mood for it, even though at another time I might enjoy it. And the children being tugged along by their parents? Those children would stop to watch a dog lick itself. Children are amused by just about anything, and have no capability of reflecting on anything but the present. I am sure the children don't care where they are going and when they get there, regardless of where it is.
Actually the OP never stated nor implied that the person who stops to listen is somehow superior, I'm not sure how you came to such a conclusion. The funny thing is you are the exact type of person who would'nt notice it nor stop for it, how would you know if you enjoyed it or not if you already acknowledged you wouldn't be stopping to listen? Maybe you aren't in the mood for music, but maybe by stopping and listening you could change your mood? This is the crux of the story. I'm not saying there is anything wrong or inferior about you for not stopping, most people wouldn't stop, I'm not sure if I would either.
The part in green infers a closed mind, and inability to realize what you are missing. I would see that as calling someone inferior. I am very glad Techleo is not the OP. Who would have thought, someone would want to flame a inspirational piece.
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A few observations: 1) Most people wouldn't know good music if it walked up and bit them on the ass. We live in the era of American Idol and youtube, where mediocrity is king. 2) I'd like to see a parallel experiment where a crappy violin player was given an out-of-tune violin and told to play after it had been announced that he was a world famous musician playing a 3 million dollar instrument. I bet TONS of people would watch then... probably give the guy a standing ovation too. |
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My conclusion:
Leave earlier for your destination so you can take in some of the sights / sounds. |
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Originally posted by daeandor
Then you are not on your way to your destination, you are out looking for sights and sounds.
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