Why Do People Slow Down Near Street Performers?
A performance begins the moment curiosity becomes slower than walking.
People slow down because live performance interrupts routine with uncertainty and emotion.
Street performers compete against momentum rather than other entertainers.
People stop because they cannot predict what happens next. A missed note, an unexpected joke, or a dangerous trick creates tension.
The hidden mechanism is open-ended attention.
People think performers gather crowds. Often, curiosity gathers them first.
