The quality of discernment in American (and British) audiences had declined precipitously. I recall at the ballet,, when I was president of the board, where it’s appropriate to applaud during and after certain dances and scenes, that people “hooted” and screamed, even an occasional whistle. I’m absolutely convinced of the following:

• People applaud too generously (including standing ovations) because they are uncertain about what they’ve seen and heard because they are poorly educated in the performing arts. So they want to demonstrate that they are cultured because that’s the only way they can (just sitting there doesn’t do it). The Italians sometimes booed Pavarotti at La Scala—they had taste and demanded only the best. We have front row, center seats at Trinity Theater here, and their production a week ago was so horribly awful that the two of us just sat while everyone else stood and provided (ironically) tepid applause.

• Normative pressure drives behavior these days more than ever before (one ingredient of polarization). A few people clap and then others insist on joining them. There is now applause in our church after a cantor finishes singing or playing at certain intervals, and I’ve told the priest and the liturgy committee that we’re not there for entertainment but to praise God. Why don’t we applaud him?

From Disneyland to the Metropolitan Opera, from the Louvre to the local theaters, I’ve found a decline in civility, taste, and socialization