The Art of Noticing: How Asking Better Questions Changes What We See! | Rob Walker #61

Episode Summary "If all you do is pay attention to what everyone else is paying attention to, then  by definition you're not likely to innovate anything or create anything very original or different or surprising." - Rob Walker Writer and cultural observer Rob Walker joins Ken to explore how questions and noticing reshape the way we move through the world. Rob traces his origin story back to discovering journalism at 18, a framework that gave a shy, introverted kid permission to ask questions on behalf of others. They dig into his book and newsletter The Art of Noticing, talking about everyday noticing assignments, why “what am I missing?” is a powerful self-question, and how small acts of attention can mark time and make life more memorable. Rob shares the story behind the Significant Objects project and why story, and not a price tag, creates real value in the objects we keep. From New Orleans as a “conversational city” to his teaching on point of view and manifestos, Rob reflects on questions as both agency and responsibility, in democracies, organizations, and personal life. Be sure to subscribe to Rob's Substack The Art of Noticing newsletter at https://robwalker.substack.com/ Be sure to check out the weekly Curated Questions Dispatch newsletter for more fun with questions and curiosity! (https://substack.com/@curatedquestions) This Curated Questions episode can be found on all major platforms and at CuratedQuestions.com. Keep questioning! Episode Notes 00:00 Introduction to Overlooked Ideas 01:56 Introducing Rob Walker 03:19 Rob Walker's Early Life and Career 04:28 Discovering Journalism and the Power of Questions 05:54 Embracing Curiosity and Askew Perspectives 08:57 The Influence of Laurie Anderson 13:30 Living in New Orleans 14:56 The Unique Culture of New Orleans 21:21 The Art of Noticing 22:32 Personal Experiences with Noticing 27:50 The Impact of Noticing on Daily Life 33:21 Noticing and Questions 40:56 The Power of Asking Questions 42:39 Questions and Agency 44:26 The Importance of Questions in Organizations 45:14 Inspirations and Heroes in Questioning 46:11 The Art of Asking Questions 46:37 Early Lessons in Journalism 47:42 Challenges of Interviewing Law Firms 48:12 Curiosity-Driven Interviews 48:35 The Sharpie Story 50:15 Preparing for Interviews 50:51 The Flow of Conversation 52:58 Finding Unique Angles in Business Stories 55:09 The Power of Longevity and Community 56:39 Mindfulness and Creativity 59:21 Significant Objects Project 01:01:04 The Value of Story in Objects 01:06:23 The Gift of a Questioning Mindset 01:11:59 Teaching and Point of View 01:12:51 The Role of Questions in Design 01:14:20 Student Challenges with Questions 01:18:57 Personal Reflections on Questions 01:19:25 End of Year Reflections 01:22:48 Final Takeaways and Reflections Resources Mentioned Consumed column in the New York Times Magazine The Art of Noticing by Rob Walker (book) Buying It by Rob Walker (book) Significant Objects Project Lynn Borton of Choose to Be Curious Laurie Anderson United States Live (album) (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Live) Pacifica radio station (Houston) Brooklyn Academy of Music / BAM Journey (band) Foreigner (band) University of Texas Hand Grenade (cocktail) Anne Rice Dave Isay Sound Portraits New Orleans Center for Creative Arts (NOCA) The Art of Noticing (newsletter) The American Lawyer (publication) Am Law 100 Martindale-Hubbell (legal directory) Karen Dillon Sharpie Fast Company Starbucks Cracker Barrel Logo Controversy Austin Kleon Waking Up Meditation App Joshua Glenn Meg Cabot William Gibson Project Object Lost Objects Lost Objects Book by Rob Walker Ignorance by Stuart Firestein (book) Inconspicuous Consumption newsletter by Paul Lucas Jerry Colonna David Whyte School of Visual Arts in New York Point of View Class at SVA Products of Design Rob Walker Substack robwalker.net Hypothetical Development Organization Producer Ben Ford Beauty Pill