Happy weekend!
BUSKING
The Washington Post performed an “experiment,” asking Joshua Bell, one of our time’s premier concert violinists, to play in a Washington subway station, wearing a baseball cap (for authenticity) and playing a Stradivarius. Only one person noticed who Bell was and gave $20. Only $37 was collected by other passers-by, who largely ignored him. This is only a couple of minutes long. Watch the woman who comes in at 1:30:
Here’s a short piece about the experiment and the Pulitzer Prize winning Washington Post article, as well as when he returned to the same train station and turned it into a concert hall:
POETRY
A little gem this week, unearthed by Barry Glassner:
The World
by George Herbert (1593-1633)
Love built a stately house, where Fortune came,
And spinning fancies, she was heard to say
That her fine cobwebs did support the frame,
Whereas they were supported by the same;
But Wisdom quickly swept them all away.
The Pleasure came, who, liking not the fashion,
Began to make balconies, terraces,
Till she had weakened all by alteration;
But reverend laws, and many a proclamation
Reformed all at length with menaces.
Then entered Sin, and with that sycamore
Whose leaves first sheltered man from drought and dew,
Working and winding slily evermore,
The inward walls and summers cleft and tore;
But Grace shored these, and cut that as it grew.
Then Sin combined with death in a firm band,
To raze the building to the very floor;
Which they effected,--none could them withstand;
But Love and Grace took Glory by the hand,
And built a braver palace than before.
Have a great weekend,
Glenn
From the archives:
I’m a huge Josh Bell fan!