WAHAT #5: What Aren't You Seeing?

An abstract illustration of the human tendency to look at things or people but not see them clearly or completely, created by ChatGPT-4o.

Of Paris, Dim Sum, and Myopia

I am lucky and blessed enough to include on my list of favorite things the city of Paris and dim sum, the delicious cavalcade of Chinese dumplings, buns, and other treats popular for brunch and lunch. On a long-awaited return to that wonderful city, we headed directly for our favorite Parisian dim sum purveyors, Delices de Buci. 

We followed my smartphone’s GPS directions completely and correctly. We got to the block where we remembered the restaurant had been -- and couldn't find it. 

Just as we began lamenting its obvious closure, a passerby pointed it out to us, exactly where it belonged and had been all along. We had walked by it at least twice and missed it completely.

Seeing: More Than Looking

Reviewing a contract or proposal. Inspecting a physical object for flaws. meeting a boss, colleague, or date for the first time. Reading an article, a book, a blog post (see what I did there?), or a recipe. Viewing art in a museum. Navigating an unfamiliar environment, IRL or online. Trying to find an old favorite restaurant. Whatever you’re looking at, the same rules and goals apply. 

It's important to try to see things clearly. It can be helpful to try not to see things that aren't actually where you're looking. It's most challenging to see and recognize when and where you aren't seeing something that is present and visible. In other words, to see what you aren’t seeing.

Hey – no one promised this would be easy…

Dortch’s Recommendations for Seeing More Things More Clearly

• Look closely. Slow down. Take some deep breaths. Don’t just glance or skim. Look.

• Look again. Be aware of your biases in seeing and interpreting what you see, and do your best to put them aside. Whatever it is, it isn’t what you think it is, just because you believe it’s what you think it is.

• Look at everything. Assume there’s more there there, and do your best to see it. Read the whole sign or piece of content, not just the headlines or brightly colored parts.

• Confirm what you see. Where possible, talk with relevant experts or research credible online sources to validate your vision. And be prepared to change your mind in the face of new, true information. (Remember the IT Industry Analyst’s Creed: “Sometimes wrong. Never in doubt.”) 

• Get some new eyes. Borrow someone else’s. Take different perspectives. Read the document from back to front. Walk completely around that work of art.

If you have interesting examples of the gap between looking and seeing, or tips for bridging that gap, please share, anonymously or with attribution as you prefer. And if you would like to be entertained, informed, and enlightened about things many of us often miss, I recommend “99% Invisible,” a great podcast, radio show, and website created and hosted by Roman Mars. Definitely worth a close look and listen.

Now What? Your Serve...

I am naively optimistic enough to believe there is value in trying to look at what I do, how I do it, and why I do it. Writing about things like those in this piece is part of that process. So to echo my  ABCs of human motivation, the achievement of writing and sharing these posts delivers the benefit of helping me crystallize some thoughts and feelings, and tighten up some of the internal connections linking my body, mind, and spirit.

This collection of thoughts and feelings also offers the promise of connection with others. That's where you come in. 

Your reactions eagerly sought and warmly welcomed. Feel free to leave your thoughts wherever you’re reading this if comments are supported, or to email me directly at medortch@dortchonit.com. I hope this begins some interesting conversational threads, excerpts and summaries of which I will gladly and gratefully share (anonymously or with attribution as you prefer) in future outings, several of which are already in various stages of construction.

Thanks for reading. Thanks again in advance if you share your reactions with me, share this post with others, or both. And please stay connected so we can continue and extend this emerging, evolving conversation.

We All Hunger and Thirst (WAHAT) is a series of pieces I’m writing and publishing to share things I’ve learned and foster connections and conversations about various elements of life and the world. Send your suggestions and reactions to me directly at medortch@dortchonit.com and feel free to share what you’ve read with others. Thanks!