Fractured Storytelling

This is a story about how communication in the world I grew up in differs from today. This is not to say that it was better back then, not necessarily, but the way we communicate is radically different in the Age of the Internet, fundamentally changing us as human beings. The storytelling that is so critical to our existence is no longer what it was, and the new dynamic is separating us instead of bringing us together.

I grew up in the 50s and 60s. Back then, our sources of information were limited, which allowed us to craft our own life stories, and the storytellers in our lives when I was young were people we knew and felt we could trust. We read books and had to imagine the incredible worlds being described. We received news from only a few sources, enabling us to develop our own narrative of how we thought our country and the world should be run. Families lived in closer proximity to one another, so the stories of our ancestors were regularly imparted to us. It was an easier time to absorb all the information from the world around us, allowing us to create our own story—the adventure of our lives. Another aspect of developing our own story that was different years ago was the sense that you had the ability to debate or question the storytellers you interacted with. These debates did not always change anyone’s mind, but they often led to new insights and understandings that might benefit both parties.

And let’s be clear, storytelling is critical to our development as human beings. It gives structure to our world and our existence, serving as a means of absorbing and imparting information and ideas in a compelling manner. It may be what truly sets us apart from any other life on Earth. It is important for each of us to understand exactly who our character is and those around us as we continue to live the story of our lives. Storytelling provides us with a point of view for our lives and for those around us. One of the reasons Alfred Hitchcock’s “Psycho” was so unnerving is that the character whose point of view we are following from the beginning of the movie is killed a third of the way in, leaving us lost in an unknown world full of danger. Good storytelling keeps us grounded in our world, allowing us to move from day to day and interact with the other characters we encounter.

And everywhere we went when I was younger, we ran into people trying to help us develop our stories, even while clothes shopping. Yes. Years ago, a salesperson would approach you upon entering the store. They would ask you questions about what you might feel like wearing and then show you different options, including things you might never have thought of. They were helping you create the story of who you were through your clothes, and you began to build your character. Nowadays, the people working in stores are really just there as cashiers; you have to go out of your way to ask them for help. Shopping online does nothing to add to your narrative; it is completely impersonal. Shoppers today are sent out into the wilderness of clothes in search of something that makes them who they are.

So what has changed?

The Internet has led to an explosion of information and its sources. It also provides a veil of anonymity to those sources, making it sometimes impossible to vet them properly and know if the information is truly valid. Websites such as Facebook have enabled us to be bombarded by information and storylines that are never quite complete and presented with a vehement point of view that can almost evoke a sense of fear if not reciprocated. The story of our lives is being forced on us, and it is hard to find our own narrative.

Secondly, there is the rapid growth of the news media as a business, with a plethora of corporate-controlled networks and websites more interested in profit margins and ratings than in uncovering the truth of a story. Those who are meant to be journalists now push pre-packaged, agenda-driven stories in small bites to capture specific audiences before they have time to engage in meaningful debate. In today's fast-paced world, particularly at a time when we should be concerned with major issues of the day, such as climate change, income inequality, and a crumbling infrastructure, many people neither have nor take the time to critically examine what is being said. In other words, people today are allowing their narratives to be shaped by others, creating a society in which individuals feel they know what they know, yet many still feel disconnected. It is a system that has created a vacuum easily filled by Donald Trump.

Our world has changed greatly since I was born, perhaps more than ever before, or maybe not. However, what has shifted at an alarming rate is people’s willingness to hand over their storytelling to others. By doing this, individuals can feel out of control, vulnerable, and scared. Your life is not yours; it is being written by someone else. It may be harder to take control of your life story, but it is not impossible. It is time for people to stop feeling overwhelmed by the sheer volume of information or the rise of aspiring storytellers, and instead, to view the world as an opportunity to create a new kind of narrative—one that now encompasses many others, many of whom seemed too distant when I was young. 

My hope in expressing all this is rooted in my belief that when people regain control of their own narratives, the world might become a better place. When we write our own stories, we desire a happy ending not just for ourselves but also for others in our lives. It may not change everyone, as too many of us have become lost in the negative stories of others, but slowly and surely, if people can empower themselves once again to write their own story and change the world, we might even see a brighter future than what we experienced when I was younger.