Modern Wisdom #944 - Will Storr - A Masterclass In Storytelling
2053 snips
May 22, 2025 
Will Storr, an author and journalist renowned for his work on storytelling, dives deep into how narratives shape human behavior and identity. He discusses the powerful impact of storytelling on societal perceptions, especially in advertising and technology. Storr explores the balance between identity and belief, revealing how stories forge social connections and can influence consumer dynamics. He also critiques modern crises and the role of storytelling in navigating reputations, while addressing evolving trends like body positivity and Gen Z's shift away from binge drinking.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Stories Are Our Brain's Language
- Humans think in stories rather than data or algorithms because storytelling is how our brains make sense of reality.
- Stories are the most persuasive technology as they enable us to understand and navigate the world with ourselves as the center.
Stories Trump Data in Belief
- Even rational, data-driven people are influenced by stories first and then seek data to confirm them.
- Data is often subservient to the story people choose to believe, making pure rationality a naive assumption.
Knowingness Blocks New Information
- The bigger issue than misinformation is 'knowingness,' where people believe they already have answers before questions are posed.
- This leads to closed-mindedness where no new information, true or false, changes firmly held beliefs.
