Embracing the Complexity of Life: Rejecting Narratives and Mastering User Interviews

Embracing the Complexity of Life: Rejecting Narratives and Mastering User Interviews

Introduction:

In our quest to find meaning and purpose, we often succumb to the idea that our lives should follow a coherent narrative. However, this notion of Life as Narrative is not without its flaws. In this article, we will explore the fallacy of treating life as a project, delve into the limitations of narratives, and discuss how these concepts can be applied to improve our user interviews and follow-ups.

Rejecting the Narrative Fallacy:

The philosopher Galen Strawson challenges the prevailing belief that our lives should be narrated as coherent wholes. He argues that he has no sense of his life as a narrative, with or without form. This critique allows us to separate three elements in Life as Narrative and free ourselves from the grip of failure.

The first element is the assumption that we are bound to narrate our lives, presenting them as coherent and integrated stories. However, this need for unity and linearity can lead to definitive failure, as we squeeze our lives into a single tube, defining ourselves solely by the outcome of our endeavors.

The second element is the ethical notion that a good life must form a coherent narrative, told by the subject to oneself. This belief implies that our lives should follow a specific structure, with an agent, action, goal, setting, instrument, and trouble. However, this narrow view overlooks the complexity and abundance of our actual experiences.

Lastly, proponents of Life as Narrative often demand a story with a climax, where incidents build up to a fulfilling conclusion. This narrative structure can limit our perception of success and failure, as life is not defined by singular events but rather by the multitude of small successes and failures that shape our journey.

Embracing Digressive Amplitude:

Just as our lives defy a linear narrative, so do user interviews and follow-ups. Stéphanie Walter, a UX designer and mobile expert, provides a cheatsheet for conducting effective interviews. By incorporating her advice and rejecting the confines of a predetermined script, we can gather richer insights and foster deeper connections with our users.

Walter emphasizes the importance of open discovery questions that begin with "why" and "how" instead of restrictive "did you" or "have you" inquiries. This approach encourages participants to share their thoughts, opinions, and experiences more freely.

She also highlights the significance of understanding user tasks and activities, as well as engaging users in performing or showing their actions. By observing users in action, we can gain a deeper understanding of their needs and pain points.

Furthermore, Walter suggests incorporating sentence completion and drawing exercises to tap into users' subconscious thoughts and emotions. These creative techniques allow us to uncover insights that might not be easily expressed through verbal communication alone.

Actionable Advice for Effective User Interviews:

1. Bouncing back: When faced with unexpected responses or challenges during an interview, adapt and pivot. Use these moments as opportunities to dig deeper and uncover valuable insights.

2. Digging further: Don't settle for surface-level answers. Encourage participants to elaborate and provide more detail by asking follow-up questions that delve into their thoughts, feelings, and experiences.

3. The power of silence: Embrace moments of silence during interviews. Sometimes, users need time to reflect or gather their thoughts. By allowing silence, you create a safe space for deeper introspection and more authentic responses.

Conclusion:

As we navigate the complexities of life and user research, it is essential to reject the notion of Life as Narrative. Embracing the digressive amplitude of our experiences allows us to appreciate the abundance of incidents and small successes in our lives. Similarly, adopting flexible and open approaches to user interviews enables us to gather valuable insights and create meaningful connections with our users.

Actionable Advice:

1. Embrace the unpredictability and complexity of life.
2. Approach user interviews with curiosity and an open mind.
3. Adapt and pivot during interviews to uncover deeper insights.

By rejecting narratives and embracing the fluidity of life and user research, we can create more meaningful and authentic experiences for ourselves and those we interact with.