Description
Book SynopsisDesigning for Empathy is a volume of twenty-three essays contributed by multidisciplinary experts, collectively exploring the state of empathy for its design elements that might lead to positive behavior change and a paradigm shift towards unifying, compassionate worldviews and actions. As museums are currently shaping their tools for fostering empathy as an intentional outcome of museum experiences, the idea of empathy-building is shaping them back as socially relevant institutions that increasingly value diversity, accessibility, and equality. This is a non-linear, multi-layered, and multi-dimensional transformation that requires multidisciplinary, cross-industries, and cross-sectors alliances for its sustainability. The potential of this collective transformation effort includes the invention of unconventional, evidence-based, and sustainable solutions that can be scaled up beyond the walls of traditional museums to all kinds of informal learning platforms to help eliminate the empathy-deficit in our world. Designing for Empathy expands our understanding of empathy and its potential for fostering compassionate worldviews and actions through a multidisciplinary exploration in three parts: “The Object of Our Empathy” explores how we define and perceive the “Other,” “The Alchemy of Empathy” introduces thirteen design elements of empathy that might lead to transformative learning experiences, and “The Scope and the Spectrum of Empathy” highlights the importance of positioning empathy as a cross-industrial shared value for the benefit of people and the planet. Designing for Empathy will inspire and empower those who are interested in intentionally designing for empathy to cultivate compassionate worldviews and actions that celebrate and preserve the oneness of all people, the environment, and our planet.
Trade ReviewIn our increasingly virtual world, museums have a unique ability to bring alive experiences, ideas, and emotions through real objects, places, and stories – and through these to identify with new people and experiences in powerful ways. Elif Gokcigdem has assembled an impressive and inspiring collection of thought pieces from a variety of perspectives, both from in and outside of the museum field, on how – and why – museums might proactively and intentionally design their experiences to foster greater empathy. -- Laura L. Lott, President & CEO, American Alliance of Museums
Table of ContentsPreface Elif M. Gokcigdem Introduction Zorana Ivcevic Part I The Object of Our Empathy: How Do We Perceive the Other? Chapter 1: The Heart The Heart’s Knowledge Will Never Decay Dario Robleto Chapter 2: The Brain Living Narratives: Neurobiology of Empathy Erik Jahner Chapter 3: Conscious Experience Empathic Space and Shared Consciousness: Museums and the Application of the Spread Mind Theory Riccardo Manzotti Chapter 4: The Worldview Empathy, Narcissism, and Visual Arts Engagement Sara Konrath Chapter 5: Augmented Reality Augmenting Empathy and Decolonizing AR/VR Mediums: How Do We Reimagine Augmented and Virtual Reality Experiences? Amir Baradaran and Isolde Brielmaier Part II The Alchemy of Empathy: Ingredients of Transformative Perspective Change Chapter 6: Intentionality Discovering the Power of Art in Forging Empathic Connections Jon Carfagno Chapter 7: Intersectionality Building Transformative Empathetic Experiences to Talk About RACE Yolanda Moses and Joanne Jones-Rizzi Chapter 8: Curiosity Social Inquiry Exhibits: Fostering Social Learning in Museums Thomas Rockwell, Joshua Gutwill, Heike Winterheld, and Shawn Lani Chapter 9: Play Building a Culture for Kindness Through Collaborative Design Lisa Brahms and Anne Fullenkamp Chapter 10: Vulnerability From I to Thou: Transformation Through Traumatic Events Andreas Heinecke Chapter 11: Contemplation & Nuance Found in Translation Mohamed Zakariya Chapter 12: Proximity Designing for Place and People at the Border of Freedom: Niagara Falls Underground Railroad Heritage Center Seth Frankel Chapter 13: Storytelling Empathy in Environmental Communications: Why People Matter for Saving Nature Anastasia Khoo, Jamey Anderson, and Conservation International Chapter 14: Synchronicity Tap Dancing Towards Empathic Communities Andrew Nemr Chapter 15: Awe & Wonder Designing for Wonder: Losing Your Self at the Museum Nicholas Bell Chapter 16: Collective Journeying Religious Pilgrimage and Sacred Relics as Empathy-Builders Ari Gordon and Menachem Wecker Chapter 17: Breaking Bread Breaking Bread and Building Bridges: Repairing Ruptures in Our Communities Reverend Jennifer Bailey, Lennon Flowers, Emily May, and The People’s Supper Chapter 18: Optimism & Hope Optimism to Action: One Smithsonian, the Conservation Commons and the Earth Optimism Initiative Catherine Christen Part III The Scope and the Spectrum of Empathy: Empathy as a Cross-Industrial Shared Value, and Its Potential for People and the Planet Chapter 19: Ethics & Values Modeling Decency, Sir! Elaine Heumann Gurian Chapter 20: Our Planet & the Environment The Anthropocene as Our Conscience Emlyn Koster Chapter 21: Education & Entrepreneurship Educating for Empathy: Global Lessons from Schools and Social Entrepreneurs Dana Mekler Chapter 22: Innovation & Design Designing Empathy into Machines: Lessons Learned from Designing Interactions for Autonomous Vehicles Kursat Ozenc Chapter 23: Societal Progress Museums as Incubators of Innovation and Social Impact Karleen Gardner
