Thursday, January 12, 2012

A Sign of Our Times?

I was absolutely fascinated by the following news item. Either it is a sign of our times and more evidence that the really well-to-do in our society have devolved into such a feeling of superiority that they are this stunningly brazen, or this is just about a couple of ordinary schmucks. You decide! :)

ArtsBeat: New York Philharmonic Interrupted by Chimes Mahler Never Intended
By DANIEL J. WAKIN
Published: January 11, 2012
Alan Gilbert, the conductor of the New York Philharmonic, halted the orchestra and made everyone wait when the cellphone belonging to a member of the audience at Tuesday night's concert began to ring and ring and ring during the final movement of Mahler's Ninth Symphony.

4 comments:

  1. That guy is a first class ass! Glad he got called out for it.

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  2. I don't think this incident has the slightest bit to do with social class. Cellphone douchebaggery transcends wealth and is just as common during matinee movies at the Midway as it is in executive offices. With all due respect, it's also fairly judgmental to assume that the culprit here was some sort of millionaire elitist based on the slim information provided. Tickets to the Philharmonic cost less and are easier to obtain than the average Justin Bieber concert. This guy could have been anyone.

    That being said, this guy is still an ass. Hopefully, this level of public embarrassment will scar him enough to prevent him from repeating his actions.

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    1. Based on his reaction - or lack thereof - while he was being singled out by the conductor and the members of the audience, I think he will not be scarred at all by this. He probably was angry with everyone else for curtailing his right to using his iPhone.

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  3. I agree with James. I've gone to quiet a few Broadway shows over the past 2-months, as well as catching a few movies. Be it on Broadway or at the Midway, people just cannot seem to remain silent for 2 hours. There's just a general lack of respect for those around you, and it crosses all age and social barriers.

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