Character Quote by Errol Morris
“Interviews, when they are just simply an exercise in hearing what you want to hear, are of no interest. And many, many, if not most interviews have that character. The interviewer who comes in with a list of bullet points they're going to address one after the other. Interviews, properly considered, should be investigative. You should not know what you're going to hear. You should be surprised.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: Documentary Filmmaking, The Thin Blue Line, 1988
Interviews become meaningless when they confirm pre‑existing expectations instead of uncovering the truth.
In simple terms: Pre‑set questions kill discovery.
Key Takeaway
Ask open‑ended, unexpected questions.
Themes
journalism
investigation
truth
communication
Mood
skeptical
inquisitive
Type
advice
philosophical
When to use this quote
- job interviews
- research interviews
- media interviews
- academic oral exams
Key Concepts
bias
confirmation
critical thinking
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you design questions that truly surprise?
- What habits prevent you from listening objectively?
A Different Perspective
If the interviewer controls the narrative, genuine insight is lost.
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