When you encounter strange, new ideas or behaviors, it can be tempting to look upon it as a spectacle. But there is another way, a path of understanding, which leads to greater empathy. You can help people along this path whenever you need to present strange, new ideas, but first you have to walk that path yourself.
This quote nicely sums up the difference between spectacle and empathy:
It shouldn’t be “Hey, look at this!” I want it to be “Understand this!”
— Sara Rea (producer of Project Runway)
However, you can use spectacle to your advantage. You can start with something shocking and quickly follow up with explanations and demonstrations that help people understand. Some of the best comedians do this without your even realizing it.
