Wikipedia Theme Park: The Information / Engagement Spectrum

Exhibitions have a constant tension. Are we giving information? Or creating engagement?

Of course, the answer is, “Both! Duh.” But let’s dive into that, because “both” isn’t a thorough answer either.

Imagine a theoretical continuum: an Information/Engagement Spectrum.

Wikipedia Room:
At the “pure information” end, imagine a gallery with walls covered in printed Wikipedia articles. Accurate, comprehensive, clear … and highly unpopular.

Theme Park Flume Ride:
At the “pure engagement” end, imagine a theme park flume ride. Water, spectacle, (literal) immersion. Memorable, but with little depth or lasting understanding.

Neither is what visitors want from a museum. (The archivist in the basement under the flume ride also definitely does not want it.)

One asks too much effort. The other offers too little substance.

Every exhibition sits between these extremes. All must provide clear, structured information while delivering it through engaging, varied experiences. We use high-engagement techniques selectively, and support them with simpler, direct content.

Note: the middle point of a spectrum is 50/50.

Not 100/100.

We can’t have maximum information and maximum engagement at the same time. That’s just a Wikipedia theme park.

Here’s the thing:

It’s not “Which is better?”

It’s “Where should this exhibition be on the Information/Engagement Spectrum?”

Warmly,
Jonathan

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MtM Word of the Day:
Archive. A collection of documents that may include photographs, letters, and digital files. Archives preserve valuable records for future research, study, and documentation. Many museums maintain both a collection of objects and an archive of related records.