http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/04/04/AR2007040401721.html?hpid=topnews
The premise: World-renowned classical violinist Josh Bell posed as a street musician and played for a half-hour one morning at the l'Enfant Plaza Metro station. People's reactions during his performance lend us insight into the American way of life, or so this Washington Post author describes. It's a long read, but definitely worth the time.