Tay: I've long wanted to try my hand at science fiction. But when i sit down to do it, i really have no idea how to do this. He says he thinks the attempt to find scientific meanings in myths is actually not being very scientific. And his personal belief is that interpretation is broken. Interpretation just doesn't work - there's no way to make it work. It offers the prospect of truth and meaning but if you want to be a scientists, you must accept the veil is drawn over your eyes.
Michael speaks with neuroscientist and literature professor Dr. Angus Fletcher about 25 of the most powerful developments in the history of literature, from ancient Mesopotamia to Elena Ferrante. Fletcher says these literary technologies can alleviate grief, trauma, loneliness, anxiety, numbness, depression, pessimism, and ennui — all while sparking creativity, courage, love, empathy, hope, joy, and positive change. Fletcher is a professor of story science at Ohio State’s Project Narrative, the world’s leading academic think-tank for the study of stories. His research has been supported by the National Science Foundation, the Mellon Foundation, and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.