In Cold Blood

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i think we should refer to these objects not as memoirs or histories, we should refer to them as stories. We're here to say to the audience, read this story and on its own merits. I mean, a and it's the story that's important, not the reality. It's ik if you read richard the third by by by shakespeare. Ah, you know, nobody really thinks that's true any more, but it's incredibly powerful and effective. You know.

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.