I think all things are more complex than they can possibly be explained. We like telling stories to simply complex phenomena. The problem is when we come to see stories as the absolute truth. They never are, sometimes there aren't even any facts in them.
When I listen to anyone explain an event I was ever a part of, I'll hear maybe just 10% of what happened. The rest 90% will be their interpretation of it, all in a way that makes sense to them and their audience.
I don't think we can quit stories; they're largely how anything can be communicated. That's why values like honesty matter. Stories are powerful; they can bestow and ruin reputations; they can start wars. I think we should strive to be honest story tellers. I also think that being informed requires digging up more facts whenever we hear a story, for there's always more to be found.
Exactly! Some stories are important. For instance, we tell national histories to build social cohesion and that can be helpful in building a nation. But it can also tear one apart.
Simplification can help us wrap our minds about something. But if we’re not careful, it can also lead to hubris.
Our culture and society impart a lot of stories about what we should be doing at any given time. More and more, I just feel like I’m losing interest…
I think the honest storytellers are the people who leave a lasting imprint on our culture. Their stories resonated because they were truthful. It’s interesting to think about!
Sadly it turns out that while many of our leaders have been exceptionally “good” many have not. This includes many of the “founding fathers”. I have come to understand the worldwide respect commanded by thinkers like Jefferson and Franklin, and leaders like Washington and I have to give them the greatest credit for constructing the “American Experiment”. However, they were men of their time and definitely enslavers virtually to a man. And, as we see, no women were overtly involved in building the country’s ethical or political structures.
I think all things are more complex than they can possibly be explained. We like telling stories to simply complex phenomena. The problem is when we come to see stories as the absolute truth. They never are, sometimes there aren't even any facts in them.
When I listen to anyone explain an event I was ever a part of, I'll hear maybe just 10% of what happened. The rest 90% will be their interpretation of it, all in a way that makes sense to them and their audience.
I don't think we can quit stories; they're largely how anything can be communicated. That's why values like honesty matter. Stories are powerful; they can bestow and ruin reputations; they can start wars. I think we should strive to be honest story tellers. I also think that being informed requires digging up more facts whenever we hear a story, for there's always more to be found.
Thank you, Leah. An interesting read, as always.
Exactly! Some stories are important. For instance, we tell national histories to build social cohesion and that can be helpful in building a nation. But it can also tear one apart.
Simplification can help us wrap our minds about something. But if we’re not careful, it can also lead to hubris.
Our culture and society impart a lot of stories about what we should be doing at any given time. More and more, I just feel like I’m losing interest…
I think the honest storytellers are the people who leave a lasting imprint on our culture. Their stories resonated because they were truthful. It’s interesting to think about!
Sadly it turns out that while many of our leaders have been exceptionally “good” many have not. This includes many of the “founding fathers”. I have come to understand the worldwide respect commanded by thinkers like Jefferson and Franklin, and leaders like Washington and I have to give them the greatest credit for constructing the “American Experiment”. However, they were men of their time and definitely enslavers virtually to a man. And, as we see, no women were overtly involved in building the country’s ethical or political structures.