How Many Other Things Are We Missing?

Washington, DC Metro Station on a cold January morning in 2007.

The man with a violin played six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes. During that time approximately 2000  people went through the station, most of them on their way to work.

4 minutes later:
The violinist received his first dollar: a woman threw the money …

in the hat and, without stopping, continued to walk.

6 minutes later:
A young man leaned against the wall to listen to him, then looked at his watch and started to walk again.

10 minutes later:
A 3-year old boy stopped but his mother tugged him along hurriedly. The kid stopped to look at the violinist again, but the mother pushed hard and the child continued to walk, turning his head all the time. This action was repeated by several other children. Every parent, without exception, forced their children to move on quickly.

45 minutes later:
The musician played continuously. Only 6 people stopped and listened for a short while. About 20 gave money but continued to walk at their normal pace. The man collected a total of $32.

1 hour later:
He finished playing and silence …