Field Trip to Dialogue in the Dark: An exploration into Sense Perception as a way of knowing

On the 20^th of September, the TOK class of 11 IBDP visited the Dialogue in the Dark exhibition at Inorbit Mall. Dialogue in the Dark is the world’s only dark-themed attraction; once you step inside, you lose your sense of sight entirely in the blackness. You’re forced to make the best use of your other four senses.

The class divided into groups of eight and entered the exhibit one by one. Stepping into the pitch dark for the first time is admittedly a little scary, but after you’ve gotten used to it, there’s a definite feeling of excitement. It’s interesting, and surprising, what you notice without your sense of sight – and even more interesting to see how much you know without it.

The trip to Dialogue in the Dark was fun, but it also had an explicit link to TOK. How important are all the senses in perceiving and, as a result, in knowing? It is funny how even the most casual of tasks can actually offer up a goldmine of questions – and maybe even answers.