Unveiling the illusion: lessons from the wizard of Oz scene

2023-11

Toto's act of pulling back the curtain represents the unveiling of illusion and the confrontation of reality. Dorothy and her companions, like many of us in life, had placed their hopes and dreams on an external figure, believing the Wizard held the power to grant their deepest desires. However, Toto's simple action exposes the truth, revealing the Wizard as a fallible human, just like themselves.

Toto’s act of pulling back the curtain represents the unveiling of illusion and the confrontation of reality. This idea is related to design thinking because it challenges people's assumptions and expectations about a situation or problem. Design thinking encourages us to question the status quo and look for new perspectives and insights that can lead to better solutions.
Design thinking can help to address this idea creatively and effectively by using the following steps:
- Empathy: This step involves understanding the needs, emotions, and motivations of the people affected by the problem or the situation. For example, we can empathise with Dorothy and her companions, who seek a way to fulfil their dreams and return home. We can also empathise with the Wizard, who is trying to maintain his authority and reputation. By empathising with both sides, we can better understand their challenges and opportunities.
- Define: This step involves framing the problem or the situation clearly and concisely that captures the essence of what we are trying to solve. For example, we can define the problem as: How might we help Dorothy and her companions realise their own potential and find their way home without relying on the Wizard’s false promises?
- Ideate: This step involves generating various possible solutions or ideas that address the problem or the situation. For example, we can ideate by brainstorming, sketching, mind mapping, or using other creative techniques. Some of the possible ideas are:
  - They are creating a device to transport Dorothy and her companions to their desired destinations.
  - Teaching Dorothy and her companions some skills or techniques that can help them achieve their goals.
  - I am revealing the Wizard’s true identity and motives to the people of Oz and creating a new system of governance.
- Prototype: This step involves building a simple and tangible representation of one or more of the ideas that we have generated. For example, we can prototype by using paper, cardboard, clay, or other materials. The prototype aims to test the feasibility and desirability of the idea and get feedback from the users or stakeholders. For example, we can prototype by:
  - Making a mock-up of the device that can transport Dorothy and her companions to their desired destinations and testing it with them.
  - Creating a storyboard or a role-play that shows how Dorothy and her companions can learn some skills or techniques that can help them achieve their goals and testing it with them.
  - Designing a poster or a flyer that exposes the Wizard’s true identity and motives and testing it with the people of Oz.
- Test: This step involves evaluating the prototype and the idea based on the feedback and data we collected. For example, we can test by measuring the impact, the satisfaction, and the usability of the solution or the idea. We can also test by iterating and improving the prototype and the idea based on the feedback and the data. For example, we can try by:
  - Ask Dorothy and her companions about the device that can transport them to their desired destinations and how well it works for them.
  - Ask Dorothy and her companions how they feel about the skills or techniques that they have learned and how well they help them achieve their goals.
  - Ask the people of Oz how they feel about the poster or the flyer that exposes the Wizard’s true identity and motives and how well it influences their opinions and actions.

Other lessons from the Wizard of Oz

Recognizing Our Own Strength and Potential

The scene challenges our tendency to look for external validation and fulfillment. It reminds us that the power to achieve our dreams and desires often lies within ourselves, not in the hands of some external authority. Toto's act of uncovering the truth serves as a catalyst for Dorothy and her companions to recognize their own strength and potential.

Questioning Authority and Challenging Assumptions

Toto's action also encourages us to question authority and challenge assumptions. The Wizard, despite his grand appearance and intimidating voice, was ultimately a fraud. His power was based on deception and manipulation, rather than genuine ability. Toto's act emboldens us to critically examine the figures of authority in our lives and to question the assumptions we hold about them.

Embracing Our Inner Wisdom and Intuition

Toto's act can also be seen as a symbol of our inner wisdom and intuition. Sometimes, the answers we seek lie not in external sources, but within our own hearts and minds. Toto's act of following his instincts and uncovering the truth serves as a reminder to trust our inner guidance and to not be swayed by external appearances.

Taking Responsibility for Our Own Happiness

In the end, Dorothy and her companions realize that they don't need the Wizard to grant their wishes. They already possess the qualities they desire: the Scarecrow's wisdom, the Tin Man's heart, and the Lion's courage. Toto's act serves as a wake-up call, urging them to take responsibility for their own happiness and to cultivate these qualities within themselves.

Toto's simple act of pulling back the curtain has far-reaching implications, reminding us to question authority, embrace our own strength, and trust our inner wisdom. His action serves as a powerful metaphor for personal growth and empowerment, encouraging us to take charge of our lives and shape our own destinies.

Reference

Sandars, J. and Poh Sun Goh (2020). Design Thinking in Medical Education: The Key Features and Practical Application. Journal of medical education and curricular development, [online] 7, p.238212052092651-238212052092651. doi:https://doi.org/10.1177/2382120520926518.

GreyAlien7 (2006). Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain. YouTube. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YWyCCJ6B2WE [Accessed 5 Nov. 2023].