Perception, taste and priorities

[dejan91]

I stumbled upon this intriguing article: www.egodialogues.com/general/violinist-in-metro.php

What do you think of this? Are we really all that materialistic and shallow to only notice beauty when society collectively agrees upon it, and not individually?

[ninwa]

I remember reading about this a while ago. At the time I just attributed it to a declining interest in classical music and the relegation of the genre to a very specific, small group of people... which is still very sad. But I'd be interested to see the experiment repeated with a pop singer, or rock guitarist, or something.

[Fyrefly]

I remember reading about this a while ago. At the time I just attributed it to a declining interest in classical music and the relegation of the genre to a very specific, small group of people... which is still very sad. But I'd be interested to see the experiment repeated with a pop singer, or rock guitarist, or something.

It would need to be someone that people wouldn't recognise though... that's the point of the experiment. If people recognise someone as famous (read: socially agreed popularity), then an individual's taste would by dominated by this and the individual would not be free to develop their own opinion, free of society's dictation.

[ninwa]

Well, yeah, of course they wouldn't be able to use Jessica Mauboy or something, that would defeat the purpose of the experiment

[Fyrefly]

You reckon anyone would have appreciated Susan Boyle's talents if she sang on the sidewalk before she became famous?

[Mao]

There are time and place for everything. If Jennifer Hawkins rocked up when you are doing a SAC, are you going to spend time 'recognising' her beauty?

[ninwa]

You reckon anyone would have appreciated Susan Boyle's talents if she sang on the sidewalk before she became famous?

I dunno, most buskers in the city aren't that great, she might have made a nice change?

On that note though, I can still remember the looks on the judges faces when she first came on stage on Britain's Got Talent - you could tell they were laughing at her on the inside, presumably because of her looks. Then once she opened her mouth they had this look of shock... it was sadly amusing.

[Glockmeister]

There are time and place for everything. If Jennifer Hawkins rocked up when you are doing a SAC, are you going to spend time 'recognising' her beauty?

If that were to happen... I may have to apply for Special Consideration.

[the.watchman]

There are time and place for everything. If Jennifer Hawkins rocked up when you are doing a SAC, are you going to spend time 'recognising' her beauty?

If that were to happen... I may have to apply for Special Consideration.

LOL, I wonder if that would work...

You reckon anyone would have appreciated Susan Boyle's talents if she sang on the sidewalk before she became famous?

I think that she wouldn't, for a couple of reasons:

1) People usually don't pay much attention to buskers; even if they are good, they probably forget about them quickly (eg. the Joshua Bell experiment - there's a really good documentary on this, you should watch it, except I can't remember the name... )
2) Her singing is good, but unrefined, so the real musos may not be so impressed

[appianway]

I heard about that experiment, and if I'd been there, my jaw would've dropped. I'm obsessed with Joshua Bell.


As the.watchman said, most people dismiss buskers pretty quickly, and even if they don't, they're often reluctant to pay. I saw a really good busker at flinders street a few days ago (although I'm pretty sure it wasn't a famous violinist, in this case), and I didn't give any money because I had barely any one me. It doesn't change the fact that I listened and appreciated the music.

[ninwa]

Haha I hadn't even heard of Joshua Bell before this experiment, but then again I am (unfortunately) not a violinist.

As the.watchman said, most people dismiss buskers pretty quickly, and even if they don't, they're often reluctant to pay.

That's a good point, especially in the aftermath of the GFC (though Australia's been pretty lucky in that respect and avoided the worst of it). Then there's people like me who would skew the experiment - now that I can afford it I give money to every busker I see playing classical music, just to make a point

[EvangelionZeta]

I generally love my buskers - unfortunately, all of my favourite ones don't come out that often (to wherever I am anyway).  Anyone seen that Japanese guy who sings country music whilst playing a drum with a foot pedal, a guitar and a harmonica?

[appianway]

I've seen him! I swear, I've seen him in both Sydney and Melbourne...

[the.watchman]

I've seen him! I swear, I've seen him in both Sydney and Melbourne...

Same, I think I've seen him...

[samuch]

iv never heard of this story so it blew me away when i read it!
its very sad that the community we live in are too busy with their lives to stop and appreciate other peoples talents and essentially their lives