Tuesday, April 10, 2007

In the age of the IPOD

Any thoughts from my humble blog readers on these two articles? The first seems like a search for authenticity, though it might be a bit...overboard? Love the shout out to Santiago de Compostela, though!

Some of you may have seen the second in Sunday's Washington Post Magazine, about violinist Joshua Bell playing in the Metro. (It even hit European newspapers secondhand on Monday!) Michael found parallels between this and people's ability to disregard God (who is Beauty himself) in the midst of everyday busy-ness.


Belgians Hail the Middle Ages

Pearls Before Breakfast

5 comments:

earthie said...

“As a medieval person, I make everything with my hands,” she said. “I appreciate the value of everything I do, which is something that has been lost.”

Sounds like Wendell Berry!

The other article... my mouth is just hanging wide open, I can't believe it. Man how much I wish I was in that metro station that morning!!!!!!!!

earthie said...

“As a medieval person, I make everything with my hands,” she said. “I appreciate the value of everything I do, which is something that has been lost.”

Sounds like Wendell Berry!

The other article... my mouth is just hanging wide open, I can't believe it. Man how much I wish I was in that metro station that morning!!!!!!!!

MKD said...

I read the Joshua Bell article, as well as an online chat with the author a few days after publication. The writer said that a surprising number of people had written in to tell him that they broke down in tears as they read the piece, and weren't even sure why. He suggested that it was in response to the realization that there's so much beauty in the everyday world that they may be disregarding. It definitely makes me wonder if I would have had the sense to stop and listen... I hope so.

Incidentally, Lillian and I agree that Gabriel is extremely cute. Good going!

Carla said...

Yes... I've thought about that myself. Would I have stopped? On the way to class, or a meeting? Strolling on a Friday night, in Old Town, I'm sure I would have, but on a weekday morning...?

earthie said...

For music, I know I'd stop. But if someone hung a Renoir in the metro, I probably wouldn't look twice at it. Maybe it depends on what kind of beauty you're pre-disposed to be moved by...