Is playing music on public transport "Chipping away at Society"?

[whole diary]

[grahame]

From The BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page)

Shadow justice secretary Robert Jenrick has said he hopes his video confronting fare evaders on the London Underground will "shame people into action".

Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live's Matt Chorley, Jenrick said activities such as fare dodging along with graffiti and playing music on public transport were "chipping away at society".

Is playing music on public transport "Chipping away at Society"? ... I can recall a member of this forum and a well respected campaigner playing a violin - or was it a viola - at the opening of Ashley Down, public pianos at a number of stations, and flash mob performances that seem to enhance people's experiences ...

[TaplowGreen]

From The BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page)

Shadow justice secretary Robert Jenrick has said he hopes his video confronting fare evaders on the London Underground will "shame people into action".

Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live's Matt Chorley, Jenrick said activities such as fare dodging along with graffiti and playing music on public transport were "chipping away at society".

Is playing music on public transport "Chipping away at Society"? ... I can recall a member of this forum and a well respected campaigner playing a violin - or was it a viola - at the opening of Ashley Down, public pianos at a number of stations, and flash mob performances that seem to enhance people's experiences ...

Huge difference between buskers and those playing music "live" at stations who are often talented musicians which enhances and adds character and ignorant so and sos blasting out (most often in my experience) rap "music" from their smartphones on the train because they're too inconsiderate to wear headphones and .....well......they're entitled, aren't they? 

(Early morning rant over!)

[Bob_Blakey]

I think you know full well that Jenrick is referring mainly to the individuals who think it OK to play 'music', or have loud conversations, on public transport without benefit of headphones.

Even if you don't appreciate piano music I fail to understand why anybody would object to the use of a public piano by a reasonably competent player.

I would assume that 'flash mob performances' at public transport sites are already deemed illegal by relevant byelaws; if not they should be made so forthwith.

'Chipping away at society'? Not really but perhaps a civil law 'charge' of being bloody annoying in a public place would be useful. 

[bobm]

It is covered in paragraph 7 of the Railway Byelaws

7. Music, sound, advertising and carrying on a trade

except with written permission from an operator no person on the railway shall, to the annoyance of any person:
sing or
use any instrument, article or equipment for the production or reproduction of sound

Don’t start me on mobile phone calls.  Increasingly you get people holding their phone flat, on loudspeaker and talking into the bottom of it as though they are on the Apprentice!

[grahame]

I think you know full well that Jenrick is referring mainly to ....

You have me - I know what I think he meant.  As his words were reported it suggested he was looking to throw out the baby with the bathwater ...

Personal annoyance - too many announcements in the quiet carriage, including those telling us to keep quiet in that carriage - "do as I say, not as I do ..."