PechaKucha Presentation
We live in a world where we tend to categorize, quantify and measure a wide array of everyday aspects – from kWh consumption in our homes to Facebook-likes. We argue that this urge to categorize and standardize is problematic as we run the risk of oversimplifying reality. Based on an ethnographic field study of what a ‘clean journey’ means to train passengers we illustrate the gap between the Danish Railroad Company’s cleaning standards and passenger experiences. By contrasting these standards with passenger experiences and attitudes we answer the question: What is left out, when service providers decide to categorize and measure lived reality? We suggest that rather than ‘cleaning up’ the complexities of human nature and perception, we must recognize and embrace them and find ways to integrate them into our categories and standards.
Line Groes is the CEO and founder of IS IT A BIRD – A strategic innovation agency based in Denmark. She drives the company forward, bringing human needs into focus when innovating for society and business. She is a sought-after lecturer and motivator and holds several representative positions – among others in the Business Council of the Municipality of Copenhagen. line@isitabird.dk
Emilie Stuhr Andersen is an innovation consultant at IS IT A BIRD and an applied anthropologist. She creates meaningful innovation based on human insights into behaviour, needs and aspirations. emilie@isitabird.dk