A Shared background of obviousness exists when a group of people share a set of knowledge and practices that is obvious to them but not to others. It is so obvious that the knowledge has blended into the background and they may not be at all aware of its existence.
Those participating in a Shared background of obviousness will experience efficient communication and task completion. When working with anyone who does not share it can prove an hinderance.
A Shared background of obviousness may operate within a Cultural narrative.
The Non-gamer wife series observes the behaviour of a non-gamer wife in modern video games. It highlights the knowledge a gaming community holds about terminology and actions in a game that are never explicitly explained. Even the developers miss the nuances and are unable to recognise what non-players do not know.
I watched my wife and daughter put together a new bike. They were struggling with the front guard because they had inserted the front forks backwards. Even with the bike upside down I was able to quickly identify the issue. What was obvious to me was not to them. I believe had I been putting the bike together I’d have automatically put the forks the correct way without thinking about it.