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Wreckage
A painting depicting a figure standing atop a mountain, looking out into the horizon with a deep sense of wonder and curiosity. The figure is surrounded by a bright, vibrant sky, with a full moon shining down from above. The wind is blowing gently, and the figure’s gaze is turned towards the stars. The figure’s expression is thoughtful, and their hands are clasped together in a gesture of inspiration and hope. Behind the figure is a landscape of rolling hills and lush foliage, representing the complexities of life. The painting is a reminder of the power of storytelling to influence, inspire, and teach, as well as the importance of self-knowledge, humility, and empathy.
Summary:
Stories have been used since ancient times to confront the realities of life and explore the duality of human nature.
Stories are powerful tools that can be used to influence, inspire, and teach.
A good story starts with a protagonist's desire and an inciting incident that throws life out of balance
The story then describes how the protagonist confronts an uncooperative reality that clashes with their subjective expectations.
Authenticity is key to effective storytelling, as glossy pictures and generic press releases breed distrust.
Leadership, like storytelling, requires self-knowledge and humility.
Examples of influential stories include Uncle Tom's Cabin, Frankenstein, Don Quixote, Bonnie & Clyde, Nineteen Eighty-Four, Things Fall Apart, The Odyssey, One Thousand and One Nights, Hamlet, The Iliad, The French Connection, Schindler's List, The Sound of Music, Heavyweight, and This Is Actually Happening.
The personality of a good storyteller
You are an inquisitive and creative individual who is passionate about understanding the complexities of life. You are driven to explore the depths of the human experience, and you strive to capture the truth of the world in your stories. You have a deep appreciation for the power of storytelling, and you are able to use it to influence and persuade. You are a skeptic who is able to recognize your own flaws and the complexities of life, and you approach others with compassion and realism. You are a leader who is able to inspire and guide with wisdom and empathy.
“The most beautiful stories always start with wreckage.”
Since the earliest days of humanity, gathered around flickering fires in caverns, we have been driven to share stories.
Stories that help us confront the daunting realities of life, the relentless battle for survival. But it's not just about simplistic notions of "pure" evil, for in truth, we are all capable of both darkness and light. Kenneth Lay (Founder, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of Enron) may claim that the devastation of livelihoods and savings was unintentional, while Hannibal Lecter (Silence of the Lambs) may possess wit, charm, and brilliance, but also indulge in consuming human livers.
Effectively helped an entire nation not only to question its deplorable laws and practices but also to change forever a system of violently racist dehumanisation.
Yet, it is the storyteller who dares to acknowledge this duality of human nature, who captivates audiences with their honesty about the antagonistic forces at play.
It is in this recognition of our collective shadows that a story gains its power - a power that evokes both positivity and realism in those who listen.
For the greatest irony of existence is that it is not the rosy side of life that truly gives it meaning. We may yearn for idyllic bliss, but life, in its unwavering nature, does not allow us to remain as mere lotus-eaters (a person who spends their time indulging in pleasure and luxury rather than dealing with practical concerns).
A template whose basic narrative we now commonly share, but a lens through which to read our world.
It is from the dark side, from the very struggles and sufferings that we endure, that we draw the energy to truly live. It is through facing and overcoming these negative forces that we are compelled to live more deeply, more fully, and find the essence of what makes life truly worth experiencing.
“We all work to fulfill a profound human need to grasp the patterns of living—not merely as an intellectual exercise, but within a very personal, emotional experience.”
Persuasion through storytelling is no easy feat. It goes beyond mere lists and rational arguments, for it requires a blend of creativity and insight to craft a tale that resonates with emotional power, one that leaves a lasting impact instead of being ignored with yawns.
The art of storytelling begins with asking the right questions.
The protagonist is at the heart of the story, and their desire becomes the driving force. It's not just a shopping list of wants, but a deep-seated need that, if fulfilled, would bring the story to a halt.
1967 was a landmark year for Hollywood, the year age of innocence ended and a new age began. Conventions were shattered in a moment; this is the first film of the New Hollywood era.
But what stands in the way of the protagonist's desire?
Is it internal forces like doubt, fear, or personal conflicts?
Is it external forces from society, institutions, or nature itself?
Is it the ticking clock of time or the stubbornness of a faulty automobile?
Antagonists arise from various sources, and the storyteller must carefully consider the challenges that the protagonist faces.
This portrait of determination to dream meaning into one's life continues to deepen our understanding of what it means to be human. We all have the potential to be a Quixote, for good or for ill, and Cervantes reminds us how important it is to laugh at this when it is revealed in others and in ourselves.
And then comes the pivotal question:
How would the protagonist act in the face of these adversities?
It is in these choices that the true nature of the character is revealed, for the heart of a human being is exposed under pressure.
But the storyteller's work does not end with the design of events. It requires a step back, a reflection on the truthfulness of the tale.
Is it a genuine portrayal, free from exaggeration or sugarcoating?
Is it an honest telling, even if the heavens were to fall?
Crafting a compelling story that moves an audience to rise to their feet with thunderous applause demands more than conventional rhetoric. It demands the art of imagination, the skill of storytelling, and the unwavering commitment to truthfulness. When harnessed effectively, a well-told story can captivate hearts and minds, leaving a lasting impression that transcends mere words on a page.
The novel showed readers what an African world looked like when it was not being reduced to canned images animated by racist assumptions.
Stories are powerful tools that do more than just create a sense of connection. They build familiarity and trust, allowing the listener to enter the story at their own level, making them more receptive to learning. Unlike dry data or abstract discussions, good stories engage and appeal to all types of learners, conveying complex ideas in a graspable manner.
A goal in every communication is to influence your target audience, changing their attitudes, beliefs, knowledge, and behaviour. Research shows that well-crafted stories are the most effective way to exert influence.
Stories connect, engage, and inspire, making them a favoured tool for people to influence, inspire, and teach in society.
Its precision about the mechanisms of propaganda and the machinery of oppression has got it banned by every authoritarian regime: they are scared of its power to name horror. It is a handbook for those who want to resist.
So, what exactly is a story?
At its core, a story is about how and why life changes. It starts with a situation where life is in balance, and then an event, often referred to as the "inciting incident," throws life out of balance. It could be a new job, the death of a boss, or a threat from a major customer. The story then describes how the protagonist, in an effort to restore balance, confronts an uncooperative reality that clashes with their subjective expectations. A skilled storyteller vividly depicts the struggle of dealing with opposing forces, facing scarcity, making tough decisions, taking risks, and ultimately discovering the truth. This conflict between subjective expectation and harsh reality has been at the heart of storytelling since ancient times, from the Greeks to Shakespeare to the present day.
The essence of a good story lies in displaying the raw struggle between expectation and reality, without sugar-coating or spin. Glossy pictures and generic press releases actually breed distrust among those you're trying to persuade. Authenticity is key. Good storytelling recognises that we all live with dread, the fear of the unknown and the inevitable passage of time. Self-knowledge is the foundation of great storytelling. By putting oneself in the shoes of characters and asking, "What would I do in these circumstances?" storytellers gain insight into their own humanity and develop empathy towards the struggles of others.
Leadership, like storytelling, requires self-knowledge. Great leaders are skeptics who understand their own flaws and the complexities of life. They approach others with compassion and realism, recognising the humanity in them. This duality of self-insight and humility makes for exceptional leaders who inspire and guide with wisdom and empathy.
It asks what it means to be a hero; because it has great female characters in it, as well as men; because it is full of gods and monsters and is properly epic and because it forces us to question the assumptions we might have about quests, war, and the ever-current issue of what it means to return home.
More influences
Many characters, motifs and quotations (‘Open Sesame!’) from this set of stories within stories have become common parlance across the world. In the west, the ‘Nights’ has definitely coloured the view of the ‘Orient.’” Or as BBC journalist Sophia Smith Galer puts it: “The symbols and characters in the stories – from Aladdin’s cave to devilish adventurers, djinn and harems – still show in 2018 how cultural appropriation, appreciation and racism continue to manifest within the parameters of Arabian Nights imagery.
One Thousand and One Nights (various authors, 8th-18th Centuries)
The play that exemplifies Shakespeare’s profound understanding of the human psyche in so much of its nuanced extremity. The themes and characters and even the structure of the play reveal our simultaneous blending of genius and self-sabotage, our capacity for love and hate, creativity and destruction.
Hamlet (William Shakespeare, 1603)
The Iliad has had an inestimable influence on thought and history; it set the characters of the Olympian gods and informed the actions of Alexander the Great. Mostly its story and tragic characters still haunt us, as does its tragic vision of war.
The Iliad (Homer, 8th Century BC)
For people who love N.Y., the film was, until this year, a marker that showed how far the city had come after the 1970s lows. Now the film proffers hope: the city came back from decline before. The rough fraud cop played by Gene Hackman reminds us of something else: questionable policing is nothing new.
The French Connection (1971)
“It is about the actions of someone who refused to go along with the evil,” says historian Julian Zelizer. That’s a basic message, but one that resonates loudly in our day and age.
Schindler’s List (1993)
The Sound of Music also gives an excellent example of the slow creep of authoritarianism and bigotry,” says Danielle Bainbridge, assistant professor of theater and performance studies at Northwestern and host of the PBS Digital Studios series The Origin of Everything. The insidious but steady integration of Nazi symbolism and ideology throughout the film, interspersed with upbeat musical numbers about rainstorms and young love, reveals dictatorships for what they truly are.
The Sound of Music (1965)
Heavyweight is about traveling back to a moment when everything changed. Former CBS Radio personality Jonathan Goldstein hosts, and he brings plenty of experience with him as he helps people resolve something from their past.
Heavyweight (Podcast)
This Is Actually Happening tells unbelievable true stories from the average person; the uncanny events that have altered their lives in drastic ways. The stories are sure to stick with you. Like the tale of a son shot by his father or the man who wakes up in the morgue.
This Is Actually Happening (Podcast)
In Generation Why, friends Aaron and Justin present theories and share their opinions about various mysteries, including true crime, unsolved murders, and other conspiracies. There’s a huge number of true crime podcasts available, but Generation Why is one of the best, and its longevity is testament to that.
Generation Why (Podcast)
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