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 WalkerWriter 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 Notes00:00 Introduction to Overlooked Ideas01:56 Introducing Rob Walker03:19 Rob Walker's Early Life and Career04:28 Discovering Journalism and the Power of Questions05:54 Embracing Curiosity and Askew Perspectives08:57 The Influence of Laurie Anderson13:30 Living in New Orleans14:56 The Unique Culture of New Orleans21:21 The Art of Noticing22:32 Personal Experiences with Noticing27:50 The Impact of Noticing on Daily Life33:21 Noticing and Questions40:56 The Power of Asking Questions42:39 Questions and Agency44:26 The Importance of Questions in Organizations45:14 Inspirations and Heroes in Questioning46:11 The Art of Asking Questions46:37 Early Lessons in Journalism47:42 Challenges of Interviewing Law Firms48:12 Curiosity-Driven Interviews48:35 The Sharpie Story50:15 Preparing for Interviews50:51 The Flow of Conversation52:58 Finding Unique Angles in Business Stories55:09 The Power of Longevity and Community56:39 Mindfulness and Creativity59:21 Significant Objects Project01:01:04 The Value of Story in Objects01:06:23 The Gift of a Questioning Mindset01:11:59 Teaching and Point of View01:12:51 The Role of Questions in Design01:14:20 Student Challenges with Questions01:18:57 Personal Reflections on Questions01:19:25 End of Year Reflections01:22:48 Final Takeaways and ReflectionsResources MentionedConsumed column in the New York Times MagazineThe Art of Noticing by Rob Walker (book)Buying It by Rob Walker (book)Significant Objects ProjectLynn Borton of Choose to Be CuriousLaurie Anderson United States Live (album) (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Live)Pacifica radio station (Houston)Brooklyn Academy of Music / BAMJourney (band)Foreigner (band)University of TexasHand Grenade (cocktail)Anne RiceDave Isay Sound PortraitsNew Orleans Center for Creative Arts (NOCA)The Art of Noticing (newsletter)The American Lawyer (publication)Am Law 100Martindale-Hubbell (legal directory)Karen DillonSharpieFast CompanyStarbucksCracker Barrel Logo ControversyAustin KleonWaking Up Meditation AppJoshua GlennMeg CabotWilliam GibsonProject ObjectLost ObjectsLost Objects Book by Rob WalkerIgnorance by Stuart Firestein (book)Inconspicuous Consumption newsletter by Paul LucasJerry ColonnaDavid WhyteSchool of Visual Arts in New YorkPoint of View Class at SVAProducts of DesignRob Walker Substackrobwalker.netHypothetical Development OrganizationProducer Ben FordBeauty Pill