Be Wise. There Is Another Side

Imagine a world-renowned violinist staging an impromptu concert in a bustling DC train station. It sounds like the setup for a movie, right?  

Well, this actually happened. A friend emailed me the story, and just for kicks, I asked ChatGPT to spin it into a fresh narrative. Here is the “artificial intelligence” version of what happened…   

*** 

On a brisk January morning in 2007, at a bustling D.C. Metro Station, an unassuming man with a violin began to play. He filled the air with the melodies of six Bach pieces for a duration of 45 minutes. In that time, about 2000 people, mostly commuters heading to work, passed through the station. 

Around four minutes in, a man in his middle years paused, momentarily captivated by the music. But the relentless march of time soon pulled him back into the rhythm of his schedule. 

Four minutes later, the violinist’s first monetary appreciation came. A woman, brisk and businesslike, tossed a dollar into his hat and continued on without stopping. 

Six minutes into the performance, a young man found himself leaning against a wall, drawn into the music. Yet, the pressing demands of time soon urged him forward, glancing at his watch as he resumed his pace. 

Ten minutes in, a scene played out that would repeat itself: a three-year-old boy, transfixed by the violinist, only to be tugged away by his mother, who was in a hurry. This poignant moment, where curiosity met the urgency of adult life, was mirrored by other children, all hurried along by their parents. 

By the 45-minute mark, the musician had played continuously, his music flowing into the ears of commuters. Only six stopped to truly listen, even if just for a moment. About twenty threw down some money but didn’t break their stride. In total, the musician earned $32. 

When the hour was up, he ceased playing. The bustling station returned to its usual soundscape of footsteps and murmurs. No applause or acknowledgment came his way. Unbeknownst to the passersby, this was no ordinary street performer, but Joshua Bell, one of the world’s most renowned violinists. He played complex compositions on a violin valued at $3.5 million. Just two days earlier, he had played to a sold-out audience in Boston, where seats went for an average of $100 each. 

Organized by the Washington Post as a social experiment, Bell’s incognito performance was a study in perception, taste, and priorities. It posed crucial questions: 

Do we recognize beauty in an ordinary setting?  

If we do, do we allow ourselves a moment to savor it? 

Can we acknowledge extraordinary talent when it appears out of context? 

A telling conclusion from this experiment might be this: 

If we’re too rushed to pause and listen to one of the world’s finest musicians, playing some of history’s most exquisite music on a priceless instrument, what other wonders are we missing as we race through our days? 

*** 

This true story, often shared, has been used to illustrate our failure to pause, observe, and cherish the extraordinary moments hidden in our everyday lives. 

I admit, I’ve been guilty of this often. But, is this story a good example of that? 

Consider the commuters who seemingly disregarded the violinist. How many arrived at the train station with spare time to indulge in an impromptu concert? Probably, not many. 

Out of the 2000 individuals hurrying to their destinations, how many passed close enough to hear the sound of Bell’s violin? Probably, only a handful.  

And among those who weren’t in a hurry and were close enough to hear Bell, how many could appreciate the music they heard? A 2017 study indicated that a mere 8.6% of Americans attend classical concerts.  

My point is that obvious conclusions are not always correct conclusions. With many stories you hear, people you know, businesses you patronize, and beliefs you hold…

Be wise. There is another side.