Fiction: The Evolutionary Gossip

Fiction engages human fascination by tapping into ancient evolutionary instincts linked to gossip. This connection suggests that our attraction to stories arises from innate interests in hierarchies, relationships, and social dynamics relevant to survival. The brain struggles to differentiate between reality and fiction, allowing make-believe narratives to fulfill the same psychological needs we derive from true interpersonal interactions. Thus, storytelling serves as an extension of our desire to navigate and understand complex social landscapes, reflecting an evolved preference for narratives that mirror our most important evolutionary concerns.