this says so many sad things...

[kuangning]

But the saddest of all in this little experiment is this paragraph:

There was no ethnic or demographic pattern to distinguish the people who stayed to watch Bell, or the ones who gave money, from that vast majority who hurried on past, unheeding. Whites, blacks and Asians, young and old, men and women, were represented in all three groups. But the behavior of one demographic remained absolutely consistent. Every single time a child walked past, he or she tried to stop and watch. And every single time, a parent scooted the kid away.

So ... you take a world-class violinist, playing some of the world's loveliest music, in the middle of a crowded plaza on a regular work morning ... and every single parent in the crowd will ignore their child's interest in it and rush them away from the unexpected once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Not a single one will slow down, look down at the little one, and say "that's nifty, isn't it? We can be a little late for this."

Not. one. :(

Comments

[dormouse-in-tea.livejournal.com]

. . . that is horribly depressing.

[baldanders.livejournal.com]

Interesting. It's contrary to my observation -- I've often seen parents stop when their children are interested in music or some other performance on the street. I see this all the time in Washington Square Park on weekends.

It seems to me that whether one stops is not just dependent upon who one is but what the context is. I will often stop to hear a good street musician, but I am less likely to do so in a spot that is heavily trafficked with people trying to get somewhere (e.g., to work), and I never will stop to listen in a subway station, since I view myself as being a captive audience in the subway and resent being made to listen to music. And in New York, the large majority of street musicians play in the subways and the highest traffic areas (presumably because they think that's where they'll make the most money).

[kaolinfire.livejournal.com]

I was inordinately proud of myself, yesterday, when I managed to pull over from driving to properly appreciate some beautiful clouds and mountains. Took some pictures.

I'm particularly horrid at changing direction when I have something else in mind.

Blessed are the children.

[midnightfae.livejournal.com]

My dad always made me stop. I love my dad.