I can clearly picture the subway scene. Your writing is very hypnotic. You pulled me into the subway car, and I was cheering for the woman to be ok. I want her to have a happy ending. I hope she does.
This is my new go-to reference for all the questions I get about how people can avoid asking biased user research questions. This confirms my take that the bias is in the asker first and question second. The place to focus is on the asker and the process to do that is non-trivial (but full of reward and possibility). I love your storytelling and I love your clear guidance.
This is the methods reading I need, and needed back in grad school!! Beautifully written AND informative. Love nyc for the way it forces one to recalibrate
I read this post a few days ago but needed the time to stew on it (a) because the scene you wrote about was enthralling and (b) I’ve had a lot of thoughts about ethnography since. I had never heard of this type of study but it reminds me of watching my kids play. When they know I’m watching, they change so much. I imagine Jane Goodall with gorillas and the way we have to work to integrate with someone to really be able to study (ie know) them. Amazing job.
I can clearly picture the subway scene. Your writing is very hypnotic. You pulled me into the subway car, and I was cheering for the woman to be ok. I want her to have a happy ending. I hope she does.
I want her to as well. I feel like I'm going to think about her for a long time.
This is my new go-to reference for all the questions I get about how people can avoid asking biased user research questions. This confirms my take that the bias is in the asker first and question second. The place to focus is on the asker and the process to do that is non-trivial (but full of reward and possibility). I love your storytelling and I love your clear guidance.
Steve, what a fabulous compliment, especially coming from you. Thank you! I'm so glad this resonated so much.
so moving
Thanks Wesley!
As someone who has cried multiple times on public transit, I can only hope the people around me thought about it with as much grace as you 🩷
If I can get even one person to do that, I'll feel better about the world. <3
This was a great read and I learned so much. Thank you.
Thank you so much Annika! I'm really glad to hear it.
Beautifully written and eye opening. Keep writing! Love this so much.
Thanks friend!!
This is the methods reading I need, and needed back in grad school!! Beautifully written AND informative. Love nyc for the way it forces one to recalibrate
Thank you Kara! I thought of you when I got into the soc part - I wish I'd had this too.
this is really lovely
Thank you so much James.
I read this post a few days ago but needed the time to stew on it (a) because the scene you wrote about was enthralling and (b) I’ve had a lot of thoughts about ethnography since. I had never heard of this type of study but it reminds me of watching my kids play. When they know I’m watching, they change so much. I imagine Jane Goodall with gorillas and the way we have to work to integrate with someone to really be able to study (ie know) them. Amazing job.
I haven’t read it! Will do soon as soon as possible.
And you’re right - she was chubby. At least by whatever standards raised me. That really does affect how we view people too.