Preserving a Novice Mindset
Welcome to Professional Ignorance Week, #3. (Sigh. That name never got better.)
In Episode #1 we learned about the curse of knowledge, and one antidote: deliberate, virtuous professional ignorance. In Episode #2 we learned that we’re not alone. We’re part of a lineage of professions that depend on preserving a novice mindset.
So how do we do that?
Here are 7 ideas. Depending on your situation, some might be worth considering.
1. Capture ignorance early.
Document the non-subject-expert exhibition team’s first impressions of content and goals.
2. Encourage “dumb” questions.
Dumb questions gather vital data. They are not embarrassing shortcomings. (More on dumb questions later.)
3. Assign a “visitor proxy.”
Most exhibition teams have only a proxy for subject-matter expertise (SME). Assign a team member to represent the visitor as well.
4. Value not knowing.
In museums, subject-matter expertise is the apex goal. But as a check during projects, lack of knowledge is just as vital.
5. Teach the right people.
Teaching the exhibition team the material isn’t the goal, no matter how much they love learning. In fact, it might be better if they hated learning. Focus on the visitors.
6. Reconsider the content “deep dive.”
The more exhibition teams learn the content, the less effective they might become. Shorten the “lecture and reading” approach to briefing the team.
7. Reset the novice mindset regularly.
Scheduled resets can happen at label reviews, gallery walkthroughs, or prototype testing. Each time, try to get fresh eyes to challenge the project's clarity.
Here’s the thing:
Exhibition team members cannot be ignorant of their own professions. But being ignorant of the subjects they help communicate is another matter.
Whether we call it professional ignorance, beginner’s mind, or the novice perspective, the methodology of deliberate not-knowing should be a vital function in every exhibition team.
Warmly,
Jonathan
P.S. That wraps up Professional Ignorance Week. Next week: new subjects, and shorter word counts. Thoughts? Hit REPLY and LMK.
- - - - - - - - - - - -
MtM Word of the Day:
Visitor proxy. An exhibition team member assigned to represent the perspective of the non-expert, first-time visitor. This includes asking "dumb" questions, noticing missing context, and expressing confusion, to keep the project visitor-focused.
