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/

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