Brandon Stanton, the creator of Humans of New York, expressed that what’s most important in an interview is getting to the truth. Stanton explained that he wants to put out the actual story of the individual he is speaking to, not a pre-planned message about society. This has become increasingly difficult as people know about HONY and may try to sound more “purposeful” in their conversations with him. Aware of this, he knows how to move the conversation away from phony responses and get to what is real. The point is; if you’re trying to fit someone into a box, you’re not listening.
Truth was one of the main focuses in Getting People to Talk: An Ethnography & Interviewing Primer as well. They emphasized that an interviewer should not write from their own perspective, but from the perspective of the person they are interviewing. In other words, don’t filter what you hear through your own frame of mind. They also mentioned that people may believe they are speaking the truth about themselves, but may not be. Similar to our reading, where the interviewer said that he speaks to the friends of the person he is profiling to get a better idea of who the person is. Sometimes our friends know more about ourselves than we do. That is why ethnographers go to their interviewee’s homes, or where they are most comfortable, so that their belongings, in a sense, can speak for them.
The best way to get to the truth is to connect with the person you are interviewing. If someone feels that they are not being judged, that they can speak openly and honestly, and that they are genuinely being heard, a much greater story may come out of your interview. Today, the question “How are you?” isn’t viewed as a genuine question, which is why everyone responds superficially and often dishonestly with “good”. Interviewing can go similarly unless it is clear that you want to know their real answer to your questions, and that you are interested in what they have to say.
good points on truth