I believe the 4'33" seconds of silence makes a good point. Taking silence and placing it in the right environment that we get an extreme even over exaggerated moment of silence.
I think the point is for us to then look at how often we actually experience silence in our lives. How often do any of you drive home, or to work, or to a friends, anywhere really with out the radio on? How often do we turn the tv on while at home even if your not watching it or leave a fan on as you sleep and not to listen to but for the sake of stimulation alone?
Similarly a lot of music today seems exist for the same task. It's not to actually be listened to but exists as a filler; a blend of noises often as meaning full as static just to fill the air.
We should probably first ask, what do we actually consider listening? I believe it is in part searching, understanding, and finding meaning in a piece of music, or a piece of sound from human or nature or anywhere. We gain or learn something threw listening. Understandably most people probably don't want to do this constantly but then again some people aren't experiencing this at all which comes back to the point of 4'33". Really it seems like its a reminder to listen.
To rehash:
1. How often do we actually take a moment in the car or at home to just be alone in quietness?
2. What do you consider listening to be?
3. Have you ever listened to something and taken away something more then you expected?
