I suggest that the storytelling animal existed from the beginning of humankind. I suggest that as a result of individual imagination (story telling to oneself) progress was made. Each new technology that came about, from mastering fire for cooking, etc. to the most complex technology of today, came about because the story telling animal told himself an imagined story.
That is a very interesting and agreeable logic about how today's technology would be nonexistent without story. Without man (the storytelling animal) dreaming up different ideas (dreaming being a form of story), man-made inventions would not exist nor evolve. It's incredible to think how story has allowed mankind to be such imaginative and advanced creatures.
Gottschall made me conscious of the necessity for story in human life. Story was before religion. (Where did we come from?) Story was before science. (What is this world around us?) Story was before politics. (How can we create a Utopia?) "The Story Telling Animal" was a worthwhile read.
Something I thought of while reading Chapter one was the difference between the Story People and the Practical People. Though Gottschall says that the Practical people died off, there are still people today that I've met that seem to be a lost member of that species. They have no meaning or story to their life, and they are basically as bland as you can get. Tying this into the end of the book where Gottschall discusses how stories could be disappearing... Do you think that practicality is starting to rise more as stories (supposedly) die down? Or will these modern "Practical People" eventually disappear a stories become stronger over time? Just curious on other's perception of the relation between story and practicality.
You are so right! I have met a variety of people that I try to engage in conversation with and get absolutely nothing back. It makes you wonder if the Practical People lived on in a small, boring community somehow!
If it is true that your view of life is a result of the stories that you are introduced to while living, then is it also true that your entire human experience is limited to the creativity of the individuals that surround you? Furthermore, how imperative is it that you surround yourself with diversity if that statement is true? - Dillon Rea
My favorite part of The Storytelling Animal was the section in which Gottschall discussed the natural storytelling mechanisms of the brain. The experiments he presented in which the right side of the brain was shown a picture opposite of the left side of the brain, which created an informational void that was quickly filled by a false story, was fascinating to me. Our brains can't handle the thought of not knowing why we picked a shovel instead of a chicken, and so we make up stories in an instant. Even more interesting is how whole-heartedly we believe them. Did that part interest anybody else? What is your take on our mind's storytelling ability? Gottschall proved, not just in that section but throughout the book, that we truly are storytelling animals.
If you could choose to live in the same world that exists in a certain story, which story world would you choose and why would you choose it? (I.E. Middle Earth, Gotham, a Galaxy far far away) -Dylan West
Did any of you find that you sort of lost interest in the last few sections of the novel? I mean the conclusion was great, but I feel like Gottschall sort of lost steam in the parts about the gaming world and all of that.
I suggest that the storytelling animal existed from the beginning of humankind. I suggest that as a result of individual imagination (story telling to oneself) progress was made. Each new technology that came about, from mastering fire for cooking, etc. to the most complex technology of today, came about because the story telling animal told himself an imagined story.
ReplyDeleteThat is a very interesting and agreeable logic about how today's technology would be nonexistent without story. Without man (the storytelling animal) dreaming up different ideas (dreaming being a form of story), man-made inventions would not exist nor evolve. It's incredible to think how story has allowed mankind to be such imaginative and advanced creatures.
DeleteGottschall made me conscious of the necessity for story in human life. Story was before religion. (Where did we come from?) Story was before science. (What is this world around us?) Story was before politics. (How can we create a Utopia?) "The Story Telling Animal" was a worthwhile read.
ReplyDeleteSomething I thought of while reading Chapter one was the difference between the Story People and the Practical People. Though Gottschall says that the Practical people died off, there are still people today that I've met that seem to be a lost member of that species. They have no meaning or story to their life, and they are basically as bland as you can get. Tying this into the end of the book where Gottschall discusses how stories could be disappearing... Do you think that practicality is starting to rise more as stories (supposedly) die down? Or will these modern "Practical People" eventually disappear a stories become stronger over time? Just curious on other's perception of the relation between story and practicality.
ReplyDeleteYou are so right! I have met a variety of people that I try to engage in conversation with and get absolutely nothing back. It makes you wonder if the Practical People lived on in a small, boring community somehow!
DeleteIf it is true that your view of life is a result of the stories that you are introduced to while living, then is it also true that your entire human experience is limited to the creativity of the individuals that surround you? Furthermore, how imperative is it that you surround yourself with diversity if that statement is true?
ReplyDelete- Dillon Rea
My favorite part of The Storytelling Animal was the section in which Gottschall discussed the natural storytelling mechanisms of the brain. The experiments he presented in which the right side of the brain was shown a picture opposite of the left side of the brain, which created an informational void that was quickly filled by a false story, was fascinating to me. Our brains can't handle the thought of not knowing why we picked a shovel instead of a chicken, and so we make up stories in an instant. Even more interesting is how whole-heartedly we believe them. Did that part interest anybody else? What is your take on our mind's storytelling ability? Gottschall proved, not just in that section but throughout the book, that we truly are storytelling animals.
ReplyDeleteIf you could choose to live in the same world that exists in a certain story, which story world would you choose and why would you choose it?
ReplyDelete(I.E. Middle Earth, Gotham, a Galaxy far far away)
-Dylan West
Well the Harry Potter world of witches and wizards obviously!
DeleteDid any of you find that you sort of lost interest in the last few sections of the novel? I mean the conclusion was great, but I feel like Gottschall sort of lost steam in the parts about the gaming world and all of that.
ReplyDelete