Pearls Before Swine...er, Breakfast?

I knew that our population as a whole was drifting away from an appreciation of fine music and making its way towards the apathetic digestion of MP3 and spoon-fed label music. I knew this because of the many signs and indications we've seen along the way since the introduction of the iPod back in 2001.

What I didn't expect was that the general public could ignore a masterpiece when it was staring them in the face.

I was wrong.

The Washington Post, one of my favorite political and editorial rags, decided to see exactly how far we have gone away from appreciation of the fine arts. To provide the basis for this test, they hired none other than Joshua Bell - internationally acclaimed violin virtuoso to position himself at L'Enfant Plaza in downtown Washington DC.

The results are humbling and tell at least the partial story of why we will never EVER see a dedicated high resolution audio format ever again. It is unmarketable. Given the results of this test - there is no reason any company, manufacturer or industry organization should ever spend any serious efforts in deluding themselves that the public really wants high definition. They don't. And when a $100/ticket (cheap seats, mind you) artist is plunked down (with reasonable acoustics I might add) a scant 10 feet away, the resulting apathy is deadening.

I for one, can't say for a shadow of a doubt that I would have stopped to listen - but if past indication means anything I would have. Alas, to me this is a social commentary - not to be diverted by the whims of audio aficionados or enthusiasts.

Joshua Bell played for 45 minutes in downtown Washington DC near the metro and only seven people stopped what they were doing to hang around and take in the performance. Twenty-seven people gave a grand total of just over $32, most without breaking stride. That left, according to the Washington Post's count, 1,070 people who hurried by, oblivious to the performance, some only a few feet away.

A sad commentary indeed - but informative to those who wish to get a good look at where our society is and how our fast pace may be robbing us from even the smallest enjoyments of life itself.

Read the original article at the Washington Post.