This is the most sensible thing I've read about this subject in a long time. And I've read a lot. Thanks!
 

"As best I can tell, people haven't done much with the idea of engaging the spectator or viewer and what that would entail."

I totally disagree. Most of the innovations like sprint, mass starts, micr-o, has been to engage the viewer - particularly the viewer not already heavily involved in orienteering. Although I do agree that most discussion on orienteering forum has focused on nitty-gritty details.
 

I think people have thought of what a spectator might want to see, but not with ways to engage a spectator. I also think we've been thinking with a very simple model of what people want to see (e.g. mass start must be interesting for spectators).

I think Micro was a pretty good attempt (and I don't think it was a bad idea, or at least I was hoping it went get more testing).

I think engaging a spectator has a lot more to do with how announcers describe what goes on and with helping spectators understand what is happening (and care about what is happening and who is competing).

Michael