HBR IdeaCast The Positives—and Perils—of Storytelling
Feb 8, 2022
Jonathan Gottschall, a distinguished fellow at Washington & Jefferson College and author of "The Story Paradox," dives into the powerful world of storytelling. He highlights how narratives can inspire but also manipulate, illustrating this through examples like climate change and the Theranos scandal. Gottschall emphasizes the ethical responsibilities that come with storytelling in business, advocating for honest narratives that foster connection rather than division. His insights reveal the dual nature of storytelling as both a unifying tool and a potential catalyst for conflict.
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The Squirrel Hill Shooting
- A man, influenced by an anti-Semitic conspiracy theory, attacked the Tree of Life synagogue.
- This act demonstrates the power of stories to incite violence.
The Story Paradox
- Stories can motivate both good and bad actions.
- While stories have constructive potential, they can also be destructive.
The Double-Edged Sword of Story
- Stories are often touted for their empathy-building qualities.
- However, they also generate hate towards villains, a crucial yet overlooked aspect.
