Highlights: #208 – Elizabeth Cox on the case that TV shows, movies, and novels can improve the world
Dec 5, 2024
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Elizabeth Cox, founder of Should We Studio, argues that storytelling can change the world. She shares empirical evidence on how narratives shape societal issues like mental health and climate change. Cox also discusses the challenge of engaging audiences with complex themes and the importance of prioritizing universal truths in storytelling. Additionally, she explores the potential of animation and the impact of AI on creative writing, debating the future of human artistry in a tech-driven landscape.
Storytelling significantly shapes societal perceptions, as evidenced by the mere exposure effect which can humanize complex issues like mental illness.
Impactful storytelling must balance universal themes with audience expectations to avoid alienating viewers while conveying clear messages.
Deep dives
The Power of Storytelling in Shaping Perceptions
Storytelling has a significant impact on shaping societal perceptions, particularly through the psychological phenomenon known as the mere exposure effect. This effect suggests that repeated exposure to certain portrayals can positively influence people's attitudes towards them. For instance, accurate and humanizing depictions of mental illness in media can shift public perceptions away from stigmatization. Similarly, films that portray stalking and emotionally abusive behaviors as negative can enhance real-life understanding and perceptions of these issues.
Climate Change Awareness through Media
Media plays a crucial role in raising awareness about climate change, with examples like 'An Inconvenient Truth' demonstrating its effectiveness. Studies have shown that areas surrounding theaters screening the film saw an increase in the purchase of carbon offsets, indicating a shift in public consciousness. Furthermore, mentions of the film in prominent publications, such as the New York Times, served as a measure of its lasting impact on the climate change threat index, highlighting how media can influence public debate and understanding over time. This suggests that impactful storytelling can result in significant changes in societal attitudes and behaviors toward important issues.
Impact Focused Storytelling and Audience Considerations
When creating impact-focused stories, it is essential to balance universal themes with audience expectations to effectively convey messages. The tension arises when trying to appeal to both niche and broad audiences, as evidenced by the discussions on ideal viewer demographics. An overly narrow target audience can result in creative choices that alienate potential viewers, while a lack of clarity can lead to uneven messaging. Successful storytelling requires finding the essential truth of the narrative and ensuring clarity, rather than overly focusing on who the audience might be.
Elizabeth Cox — founder of the independent production company Should We Studio — makes the case that storytelling can improve the world. This episode is a selection of highlights from our full interview with Elizabeth, including:
Keiran’s intro (00:00:00)
Empirical evidence of the impact of storytelling (00:00:16)
The hits-based approach to storytelling (00:03:35)
Debating the merits of thinking about target audiences (00:07:48)
Ada vs other approaches to impact-focused storytelling (00:13:15)
Why animation? (00:18:56)
How long will humans stay relevant as creative writers, given AI advances? (00:22:40)