-An interesting way to tie together the human life of sleeping, waking, and interacting-with-others. We probably were aware of most of what Gottschall had to say. and perhaps had given much of it some thought, but his approach, the idea (recognition) that we are the story-telling animal, provided an interesting read. The book made me think, more consciously, that story telling (imagination) from the beginning of humankind has brought us to the technology, as well as the problems we face, today..
This book was a huge eye-opener to the oblivious fact that humans are storytellers by nature, and have been since the beginning of mankind. It was astounding to realize how stories take various forms in everyday life, from gossiping with friends during the day to dreaming at night. Gottschall did an incredible job of creating a profound awareness of the different ways stories play a tremendous role in human life and how storytelling is evolving overtime.
It was interesting to realize the impact storytelling has on the human mind and reality from every aspect of life. Whether in video games, movies, or situations, story plays a significant role in spicing up the bland reality of life through drama and creativity, and gives a lot of satisfaction through how it enables humans to shape their identities and roles through different lifestyles.
The majority of us take advantage of story's impact on our daily lives; we literally eat, sleep, and breathe story every day without even realizing it. However, the reality is that story gives us a bridge for communication, discovery, and evolution. As a race, story has opened our minds and imaginations to everything from homosexuality to subatomic particles. As individuals, it gives us the ability to relate, to learn, and to grow. The storytelling animal is a species that, while flawed, has the ability to change the world, for better or for worse.
Humans are the storytelling animals, but in more aspects of our life than imagined. The science behind the mysteries of our universe, the religion that dictates some of us to our core, and our very memories themselves could be nothing more than stories. It’s almost like coming to college: “Everything you thought you knew is a lie”. It really is eye opening though in the sense that you get to see how imaginative we are as a species. Gottschall did an amazing job of describing from many angles exactly how we as the story telling creatures tell our stories.
This book was captivating in that it showed me a whole new point of view about the amount of our lives that are consumed by stories. It showed me how important stories are to us and their profound effects on how we live. I was particularly interested when, in chapter eight, Gottschall told us about the research conducted about where people were when the shuttle Challenger exploded. The fact that not one person was completely consistent in their answer is astounding. It made me contemplate how much we honestly believe is truth, but in reality we have just made up. -Alex Porter
“The Storytelling Animal” was a thought provoking read. Personally, several statements made by Gottschall were thoughts I've had but never really focused on. Gottschall demonstrates that Humans are constantly in need of metaphor and allusion thus creating stories to organize our life and to keep key lessons close to heart (think of phrases such as “curiosity killed the cat”). These stories have inspired humanity to great things and also terrible things in belief that they are the hero of their own life drama. Therefore, I believe that stories do not only make us human, but define our very humanity. -Dylan West
The book challenged me, but I will always consider it a worthwhile read. I think the part that will stick with me the longest is that even our memories are simply stories based on the truth. I am a believer in the idea that people remember what they can live with. It's amazing to me that the mind, or an outside force, can manipulate a memory into something other than what actually happened or create a new memory that never even happened. Through this, Gottschall really drove home the point that we are immersed in story.
The point made by Gottschall that will likely stick with me the longest resides within the allusion that an individual’s human experience relies mostly upon his or her ability to make reality into a truth-like story.
“The Storytelling Animal” made me ponder questions that I have never before perceived. It was eye opening to be shown how utterly dependent humans are upon fiction, as well as how vastly similar such a diverse species is. At the end of the day, we all live in a world comprised of one function – story. - Dillon Rea
The main thing that will always stick with me is the fact that no matter what we do with our lives we are always telling stories. Whether it be through a simple text after someone asks “What are you doing?” to talking about what you seen at the mall today to your friend. We’re always telling stories and it is only natural for us to. Gottschall made it clear throughout this book that we will always be with a story and at the end of the day we are the story. -Sutida Hanratanagorn
This book points out all of the different ways that stories affect our lives. More than half of our lives are spent making stories in some fashion. We make stories when we sleep, when we talk to others, when we’re alone, and when we remember. Stories manipulate our emotions and influence our personalities. And I believe that this can be a good thing depending on which books you have been reading. I feel that the most important idea to take away from this book is not that stories are created by humans, but that humans are created by stories. ~Kaitlyn Stevens
In the last chapter Gottschall says that stories may evolve but stories will never disappear until humans disappear. This for me will be what I take away from this book. I like the thought that stories, without humans, are nothing and humans, without stories, are nothing. It gives a sense that things can't change for the worse since in a weird way we will always have stories.
I believe the one piece of the book that will stick with me is the part where Gottschall explains in chapter 8 that everyone believes themselves to be the main protagonist of their own story. For myself I saw this as quite humbling. It made me realize that even though we can get caught up in our own stories, people everywhere are experiencing somewhat of the same feeling of looking past the flaws and the wrongs to make themselves seem better, which in the end turns memory as well into more of a fictitious story than actual truth. -Ashton Mayle
The Storytelling Animal was an interesting and thought provoking book. It not only makes readers think, and view, others in a different way, it also makes the reader think about his/herself. The idea that story is programmed in the human brain, like software on a computer, was Gottschall’s most interesting point to me (a point which he backed up more than sufficiently). If a person really dives into the book and analyzes the points of Gottschall’s argument, it is easy to notice that every one of his points has plausible validity and are backed up with copious credible sources. My final takeaway is that the development of human life is dependent on the development of human storytelling, a fact that Gottschall more than proved and backed up with references from the past and present and possible assumptions of the future. -Talor Stewart
The Storytelling Animal is an excellent and unique book. I think the Honors Program did a great job picking a book that is engaging and interesting for a college student. There are so many things that stuck out to me in this novel, but I think the one that stuck out the most is the idea that “People remember what they can live with more often than how they lived.” which came from David Carr’s memoir The Night of the Gun. This idea is a huge component in the last few chapters of the book, and it is something I will remember throughout my entire life.
(I'm reposting since I can't find my previous comment. I apologize for duplicates.)
Though this book proposes many convincing theories on the human obsession with stories, the one part of the book that sticks out to me the most is one with which I disagree. The claim that humans dream in order to prepare for future obstacles is something that I don’t think is true, and it is likely to come to mind whenever I think of this book. It’s not because it was the most interesting thing--there were many more interesting topics explored--but because it serves to remind me that these are, after all, the views of one man, not necessarily fact.
What caught my mind's eye most was actually something I struggle with daily. That it's possible for something as dividing as religion to ultimately be the glue that holds our world to morals, ethics and overall goodness. I have always seen religion is as a form of corruption. I never stopped to think maybe it is what keeps many people from actually going corrupt. Though I still see it as our worlds biggest divider, and division is a for of corruption itself. That's something to think about for life. -Maranda Clymer
Maranda, I can understand your comment that religion is our world's biggest divider. I can understand because every war throughout history that I can think of has had a religious component. Still, every religion is composed of people, and in every institution that we know, there are good people and there are bad people. Moral ideals essentially are the bases for religions, and we can learn much from religious studies, even when we are disappointed by those bad people who often represent (misrepresent?) a religion.
I do have to agree that religion can often be a huge divider. However, coming to ECU, I was pleasantly surprised by the amount of people who wanted to bring these dividers down. We asked each other, “why fight when we have the same core beliefs?” We cannot base our understanding of an entire religion on a few stereotypical dividers. Ruth, I agree with you about the misrepresentation of various religions. Often times the dividers of religion come from misunderstanding the various religions. Take the Christian denominations. I have met several individuals from other denominations who believe incorrect rumors about Catholics. However, sometimes simply elaborating on a topic or correcting those misrepresentations helps to bring down the walls that divide us. I also agree that we must remember that religious communities and faiths are institutions of people; people make mistakes, people misunderstand, and people misrepresent several things. However, the religion itself still instills morals and faith, which can positively benefit humanity. Some people need the depth of religion, the beauty of theology to understand the world, their faith, and their lives. Religion was not meant to be a divider, but a uniting force for those who seek faith and understanding.
Life is what we make of it. The life story that we create for ourselves is what's going to matter in the end, not those details that no one can remember later on. Stories consume every aspect of our lives and they are the reason we keep going. The stories we believe and live by are stronger and more desirable than reality, and for better or worse, we'll always choose story over reality.
I will remember most about this book is how we never truly leave neverland, we always will be finding little ways to escape reality and become the hero of our own imaginary disaster. Ashley Houchin
After reading the novel, I became more attentive to the extent that stories influence us. On a day-to-day basis we relate experiences, feelings, and activities through story. Watching "The Giver,” I found myself realizing the full impact stories have on us as humans. Stories, novels, and even simply relating our experiences bring an extreme amount of emotion into our lives. They can teach us love, fear, understanding, and so much more. The most amazing part; we are not always aware of its impact. Having become such an integral part of humanity, removing stories could prove fatal, both emotionally and socially.
I think what I will remember most from this book is the incredible ways that storytelling has evolved, as well as how faulty our memories are. The assigned text from last summer's honors read, as well as taking general psychology in high school and college also helps affirm how our memories are easily false and misrepresent the past. I've always found that subject very interesting. I enjoyed this year's summer read! -Elizabeth Keck
My takeaway from this book would just be what I think the whole book is about. The fact of this book is that humans need story. Whether the story be a movie, a book, a book of pictures, or someone telling a story that happened to them on the subway. Story is an essential to the human race, just like food, water, and shelter. -Abigail Blose
Overall, I found The Storytelling Animal to be an engaging read. One part that interested me the most was chapter 9 where Gottschall discusses "the Exodus" from the bleakness of ordinary life into the brilliance of virtual reality. Soon, considering the creation of quantum computers; it may be possible to run a simulation of something as complex as Earth if given the right amount of programming. With that much power, one could be absorbed into the stories made in virtual realities to the point where all of the senses are stimulated. (Such as in the 1999 movie The Matrix)
The Storytelling Animal is a very interesting book. It is one that I have enjoyed far more than I had originally expected. My takeaway is simply how story revolves around every aspect of our life. It is amazing to me that we have so much story in our lives. The fact that we rely on it so much is simply something that is awing to me. -Nathaniel Starry
What I take away from this most is how much our lives are influenced by story. Stories can charge us up with the emotion and passion needed to change the world - just like in Hitler's case. We immerse ourselves in stories of all kinds, and they affect us in different ways, each equally powerful. I had never really stopped to think about the impact of story on our lives, but this time of reflection on that subject has been fascinating. It's pretty incredible that simple things like stories carry the power to change the world.
The Story-Telling Animal, as an assigned read, was not something I was expecting would have such an impact on my views, both socially and psychologically. The fact that humans are so immersed in story that we literally can't go a moment (awake or asleep) without it astounds me. The section of the book that I keep returning back to is the focus on children's play. Gottschall truly opened my eyes to how important and even transcendental a child's play can be to both their development and temperament. It's a view that I am delighted this reading presented to me.
I think the part that is most likely to stick with me is the idea of how fantasy is almost a science in and of itself. Fantasy is something that humans are drawn to, just like science, while also being systematic like a science experiment. It's interesting to think of how something that so much of our lives are based off of is as methodical as a science experiment.
Until reading this book, The Story-Telling Animal I did not realize how much of the human life is revolved around stories. From children, we not only marvel over the different tales told but we also try to create our own, imagining what can never happen and we wish could happen. Stories are in literally every aspect of our lives, to when we tell someone about our day we tell a story, which just happens to be fiction to the dreams we have at night and the history we learn in school. Gottschall points this out throughout the book showing that human nature is simply revolved around “story-time”.
I suppose, out of all that I've learned while reading The Storytelling Animal, the one thing that will stick with me is the significance of a story. Gottschall provoked a great deal of many changes in perspective for me, but the most important one that still seems to amaze me is that I am not a solitary one within a species that who obsesses over story and thought where others live unburdened. That may sound narcissistic or maybe even ignorant, but the human race has yet to decipher the internal thought theory so, as a result, I felt that my seeming obsession for a constant story to dominate my thoughts to be a solitary...affliction. As I grew up I often found myself wondering if others ran away with their own minds into a story even as an adult. At nineteen I still find myself constantly running scenarios when idle or disinterested. I win arguments with myself and strive to create stories that would make me, their creator, feel sorrow or fear. I am obsessed with story, affliction, and the very base drive to make stories. Gottschall revealed to me not that this trait is shared, but that I even have this trait. I thought it the ramblings of the idle mind, but I now understand that, though it may still be the ramblings of an idle mind, it has the potential to be so much more. -Cheyenne Cooley
Although it has been over a month since I have finished the book, the question of "Why do people crave story?" still often wanders into my mind. In fact, I'm afraid it will haunt my mind forever anytime I read a book or watch a movie! I could be watching Netflix and wonder, “Why am I enjoying this so much?” Additionally, why the “Story People” survived and why the “Practical People” didn’t was such a tough concept to answer that I still find myself debating the possibilities. Overall, I found every chapter of this book to be interesting and thought-provoking.
This book has given me a interesting look at the brain. I knew the brain was an amazing organ, but I didn't realize how great it was! I loved seeing how the scientific side explained our stories (even if I was hesitant about letting science into my beloved Neverland). While reading this book and reading other books as well, I found myself stopping to see what was said, and what my mind was creating. It was interesting to see what I had put into the story! I really enjoyed reading "The Storytelling Animal."
The Storytelling animal is one of my new favorites- however I have one major take away/problem with the work. The part where it makes you think you're losing your mind. Being a creative person, hearing that creativity is extremely close to mental illness is kind of a wake up call. One thing that I do understand to a certain degree is paranoia. I am constantly running through past scenarios, making sure that what I said wasn't accidentally taboo or awkward. But some people, like Alex Jones, are constantly going through scenarios in their own minds that were supposedly conspiracies. Although I must admit that whoever pulled the fire alarm on him during an interview is a genius and I wouldn't have been able to pass up that opportunity either. On page one forty-four Gottschall talks about how every fictional character ever imagined, is in reality, nothing more than chemicals soaked into pressed particulates. This really set me back a few steps because suddenly I realized, everything that made every fiction book special to me, isn't real. But at the same time it brings me great comfort to know that the guy who thinks that a ordinary sedan is undercover military intelligence, has nothing to show for it but words on paper and outbursts on videos.
I would have to agree with Linzi that the part of The Storytelling Animal that will stick with me the longest is why humans crave story. Since I've read this chapter, I have been noticing the stories all around us. We make up stories to explain our surroundings, help us remember facts, and to entertain our desires when they are not plausible at the moment (such as flying through the air like a bird while on a long bus ride). Another section that will stick with me is the inclusion of video games, specifically MMORPGs, to the constant emersion of story. I have played games for years and have often found myself dreaming of things in-game or longing to return to my virtual home. I finally realize that the reason this occurs is because I am truly a storytelling animal.
-An interesting way to tie together the human life of sleeping, waking, and interacting-with-others. We probably were aware of most of what Gottschall had to say. and perhaps had given much of it some thought, but his approach, the idea (recognition) that we are the story-telling animal, provided an interesting read. The book made me think, more consciously, that story telling (imagination) from the beginning of humankind has brought us to the technology, as well as the problems we face, today..
ReplyDeletePost Script: I should have added that with his thesis, humankind is a story-telling animal, Gottschall proved himself to be a prime example.
DeleteThis book was a huge eye-opener to the oblivious fact that humans are storytellers by nature, and have been since the beginning of mankind. It was astounding to realize how stories take various forms in everyday life, from gossiping with friends during the day to dreaming at night. Gottschall did an incredible job of creating a profound awareness of the different ways stories play a tremendous role in human life and how storytelling is evolving overtime.
ReplyDeleteIt was interesting to realize the impact storytelling has on the human mind and reality from every aspect of life. Whether in video games, movies, or situations, story plays a significant role in spicing up the bland reality of life through drama and creativity, and gives a lot of satisfaction through how it enables humans to shape their identities and roles through different lifestyles.
ReplyDeleteThe majority of us take advantage of story's impact on our daily lives; we literally eat, sleep, and breathe story every day without even realizing it. However, the reality is that story gives us a bridge for communication, discovery, and evolution. As a race, story has opened our minds and imaginations to everything from homosexuality to subatomic particles. As individuals, it gives us the ability to relate, to learn, and to grow. The storytelling animal is a species that, while flawed, has the ability to change the world, for better or for worse.
ReplyDeleteHumans are the storytelling animals, but in more aspects of our life than imagined. The science behind the mysteries of our universe, the religion that dictates some of us to our core, and our very memories themselves could be nothing more than stories. It’s almost like coming to college: “Everything you thought you knew is a lie”. It really is eye opening though in the sense that you get to see how imaginative we are as a species. Gottschall did an amazing job of describing from many angles exactly how we as the story telling creatures tell our stories.
ReplyDeleteThis book was captivating in that it showed me a whole new point of view about the amount of our lives that are consumed by stories. It showed me how important stories are to us and their profound effects on how we live. I was particularly interested when, in chapter eight, Gottschall told us about the research conducted about where people were when the shuttle Challenger exploded. The fact that not one person was completely consistent in their answer is astounding. It made me contemplate how much we honestly believe is truth, but in reality we have just made up.
ReplyDelete-Alex Porter
“The Storytelling Animal” was a thought provoking read. Personally, several statements made by Gottschall were thoughts I've had but never really focused on. Gottschall demonstrates that Humans are constantly in need of metaphor and allusion thus creating stories to organize our life and to keep key lessons close to heart (think of phrases such as “curiosity killed the cat”). These stories have inspired humanity to great things and also terrible things in belief that they are the hero of their own life drama. Therefore, I believe that stories do not only make us human, but define our very humanity.
ReplyDelete-Dylan West
The book challenged me, but I will always consider it a worthwhile read. I think the part that will stick with me the longest is that even our memories are simply stories based on the truth. I am a believer in the idea that people remember what they can live with. It's amazing to me that the mind, or an outside force, can manipulate a memory into something other than what actually happened or create a new memory that never even happened. Through this, Gottschall really drove home the point that we are immersed in story.
ReplyDeleteThe point made by Gottschall that will likely stick with me the longest resides within the allusion that an individual’s human experience relies mostly upon his or her ability to make reality into a truth-like story.
ReplyDelete“The Storytelling Animal” made me ponder questions that I have never before perceived. It was eye opening to be shown how utterly dependent humans are upon fiction, as well as how vastly similar such a diverse species is. At the end of the day, we all live in a world comprised of one function – story.
- Dillon Rea
The main thing that will always stick with me is the fact that no matter what we do with our lives we are always telling stories. Whether it be through a simple text after someone asks “What are you doing?” to talking about what you seen at the mall today to your friend. We’re always telling stories and it is only natural for us to. Gottschall made it clear throughout this book that we will always be with a story and at the end of the day we are the story.
ReplyDelete-Sutida Hanratanagorn
This book points out all of the different ways that stories affect our lives. More than half of our lives are spent making stories in some fashion. We make stories when we sleep, when we talk to others, when we’re alone, and when we remember. Stories manipulate our emotions and influence our personalities. And I believe that this can be a good thing depending on which books you have been reading. I feel that the most important idea to take away from this book is not that stories are created by humans, but that humans are created by stories.
ReplyDelete~Kaitlyn Stevens
In the last chapter Gottschall says that stories may evolve but stories will never disappear until humans disappear. This for me will be what I take away from this book. I like the thought that stories, without humans, are nothing and humans, without stories, are nothing. It gives a sense that things can't change for the worse since in a weird way we will always have stories.
ReplyDeleteI believe the one piece of the book that will stick with me is the part where Gottschall explains in chapter 8 that everyone believes themselves to be the main protagonist of their own story. For myself I saw this as quite humbling. It made me realize that even though we can get caught up in our own stories, people everywhere are experiencing somewhat of the same feeling of looking past the flaws and the wrongs to make themselves seem better, which in the end turns memory as well into more of a fictitious story than actual truth.
ReplyDelete-Ashton Mayle
The Storytelling Animal was an interesting and thought provoking book. It not only makes readers think, and view, others in a different way, it also makes the reader think about his/herself. The idea that story is programmed in the human brain, like software on a computer, was Gottschall’s most interesting point to me (a point which he backed up more than sufficiently). If a person really dives into the book and analyzes the points of Gottschall’s argument, it is easy to notice that every one of his points has plausible validity and are backed up with copious credible sources. My final takeaway is that the development of human life is dependent on the development of human storytelling, a fact that Gottschall more than proved and backed up with references from the past and present and possible assumptions of the future.
ReplyDelete-Talor Stewart
The Storytelling Animal is an excellent and unique book. I think the Honors Program did a great job picking a book that is engaging and interesting for a college student. There are so many things that stuck out to me in this novel, but I think the one that stuck out the most is the idea that “People remember what they can live with more often than how they lived.” which came from David Carr’s memoir The Night of the Gun. This idea is a huge component in the last few chapters of the book, and it is something I will remember throughout my entire life.
ReplyDelete(I'm reposting since I can't find my previous comment. I apologize for duplicates.)
ReplyDeleteThough this book proposes many convincing theories on the human obsession with stories, the one part of the book that sticks out to me the most is one with which I disagree. The claim that humans dream in order to prepare for future obstacles is something that I don’t think is true, and it is likely to come to mind whenever I think of this book. It’s not because it was the most interesting thing--there were many more interesting topics explored--but because it serves to remind me that these are, after all, the views of one man, not necessarily fact.
What caught my mind's eye most was actually something I struggle with daily. That it's possible for something as dividing as religion to ultimately be the glue that holds our world to morals, ethics and overall goodness. I have always seen religion is as a form of corruption. I never stopped to think maybe it is what keeps many people from actually going corrupt. Though I still see it as our worlds biggest divider, and division is a for of corruption itself. That's something to think about for life.
ReplyDelete-Maranda Clymer
Maranda, I can understand your comment that religion is our world's biggest divider. I can understand because every war throughout history that I can think of has had a religious component. Still, every religion is composed of people, and in every institution that we know, there are good people and there are bad people. Moral ideals essentially are the bases for religions, and we can learn much from religious studies, even when we are disappointed by those bad people who often represent (misrepresent?) a religion.
DeleteI do have to agree that religion can often be a huge divider. However, coming to ECU, I was pleasantly surprised by the amount of people who wanted to bring these dividers down. We asked each other, “why fight when we have the same core beliefs?” We cannot base our understanding of an entire religion on a few stereotypical dividers.
DeleteRuth, I agree with you about the misrepresentation of various religions. Often times the dividers of religion come from misunderstanding the various religions. Take the Christian denominations. I have met several individuals from other denominations who believe incorrect rumors about Catholics. However, sometimes simply elaborating on a topic or correcting those misrepresentations helps to bring down the walls that divide us.
I also agree that we must remember that religious communities and faiths are institutions of people; people make mistakes, people misunderstand, and people misrepresent several things. However, the religion itself still instills morals and faith, which can positively benefit humanity. Some people need the depth of religion, the beauty of theology to understand the world, their faith, and their lives. Religion was not meant to be a divider, but a uniting force for those who seek faith and understanding.
Life is what we make of it. The life story that we create for ourselves is what's going to matter in the end, not those details that no one can remember later on. Stories consume every aspect of our lives and they are the reason we keep going. The stories we believe and live by are stronger and more desirable than reality, and for better or worse, we'll always choose story over reality.
ReplyDeleteI will remember most about this book is how we never truly leave neverland, we always will be finding little ways to escape reality and become the hero of our own imaginary disaster.
ReplyDeleteAshley Houchin
After reading the novel, I became more attentive to the extent that stories influence us. On a day-to-day basis we relate experiences, feelings, and activities through story. Watching "The Giver,” I found myself realizing the full impact stories have on us as humans. Stories, novels, and even simply relating our experiences bring an extreme amount of emotion into our lives. They can teach us love, fear, understanding, and so much more. The most amazing part; we are not always aware of its impact. Having become such an integral part of humanity, removing stories could prove fatal, both emotionally and socially.
ReplyDeleteI think what I will remember most from this book is the incredible ways that storytelling has evolved, as well as how faulty our memories are. The assigned text from last summer's honors read, as well as taking general psychology in high school and college also helps affirm how our memories are easily false and misrepresent the past. I've always found that subject very interesting. I enjoyed this year's summer read!
ReplyDelete-Elizabeth Keck
My takeaway from this book would just be what I think the whole book is about. The fact of this book is that humans need story. Whether the story be a movie, a book, a book of pictures, or someone telling a story that happened to them on the subway. Story is an essential to the human race, just like food, water, and shelter.
ReplyDelete-Abigail Blose
Overall, I found The Storytelling Animal to be an engaging read. One part that interested me the most was chapter 9 where Gottschall discusses "the Exodus" from the bleakness of ordinary life into the brilliance of virtual reality. Soon, considering the creation of quantum computers; it may be possible to run a simulation of something as complex as Earth if given the right amount of programming. With that much power, one could be absorbed into the stories made in virtual realities to the point where all of the senses are stimulated. (Such as in the 1999 movie The Matrix)
ReplyDeleteThe Storytelling Animal is a very interesting book. It is one that I have enjoyed far more than I had originally expected. My takeaway is simply how story revolves around every aspect of our life. It is amazing to me that we have so much story in our lives. The fact that we rely on it so much is simply something that is awing to me.
ReplyDelete-Nathaniel Starry
Test post please ignore
ReplyDeleteWhat I take away from this most is how much our lives are influenced by story. Stories can charge us up with the emotion and passion needed to change the world - just like in Hitler's case. We immerse ourselves in stories of all kinds, and they affect us in different ways, each equally powerful. I had never really stopped to think about the impact of story on our lives, but this time of reflection on that subject has been fascinating. It's pretty incredible that simple things like stories carry the power to change the world.
ReplyDelete--Brittany Jolly
The Story-Telling Animal, as an assigned read, was not something I was expecting would have such an impact on my views, both socially and psychologically. The fact that humans are so immersed in story that we literally can't go a moment (awake or asleep) without it astounds me. The section of the book that I keep returning back to is the focus on children's play. Gottschall truly opened my eyes to how important and even transcendental a child's play can be to both their development and temperament. It's a view that I am delighted this reading presented to me.
ReplyDeleteI think the part that is most likely to stick with me is the idea of how fantasy is almost a science in and of itself. Fantasy is something that humans are drawn to, just like science, while also being systematic like a science experiment. It's interesting to think of how something that so much of our lives are based off of is as methodical as a science experiment.
ReplyDeleteUntil reading this book, The Story-Telling Animal I did not realize how much of the human life is revolved around stories. From children, we not only marvel over the different tales told but we also try to create our own, imagining what can never happen and we wish could happen. Stories are in literally every aspect of our lives, to when we tell someone about our day we tell a story, which just happens to be fiction to the dreams we have at night and the history we learn in school. Gottschall points this out throughout the book showing that human nature is simply revolved around “story-time”.
ReplyDeleteI suppose, out of all that I've learned while reading The Storytelling Animal, the one thing that will stick with me is the significance of a story. Gottschall provoked a great deal of many changes in perspective for me, but the most important one that still seems to amaze me is that I am not a solitary one within a species that who obsesses over story and thought where others live unburdened. That may sound narcissistic or maybe even ignorant, but the human race has yet to decipher the internal thought theory so, as a result, I felt that my seeming obsession for a constant story to dominate my thoughts to be a solitary...affliction. As I grew up I often found myself wondering if others ran away with their own minds into a story even as an adult. At nineteen I still find myself constantly running scenarios when idle or disinterested. I win arguments with myself and strive to create stories that would make me, their creator, feel sorrow or fear. I am obsessed with story, affliction, and the very base drive to make stories. Gottschall revealed to me not that this trait is shared, but that I even have this trait. I thought it the ramblings of the idle mind, but I now understand that, though it may still be the ramblings of an idle mind, it has the potential to be so much more.
ReplyDelete-Cheyenne Cooley
Although it has been over a month since I have finished the book, the question of "Why do people crave story?" still often wanders into my mind. In fact, I'm afraid it will haunt my mind forever anytime I read a book or watch a movie! I could be watching Netflix and wonder, “Why am I enjoying this so much?” Additionally, why the “Story People” survived and why the “Practical People” didn’t was such a tough concept to answer that I still find myself debating the possibilities. Overall, I found every chapter of this book to be interesting and thought-provoking.
ReplyDeleteThis book has given me a interesting look at the brain. I knew the brain was an amazing organ, but I didn't realize how great it was! I loved seeing how the scientific side explained our stories (even if I was hesitant about letting science into my beloved Neverland). While reading this book and reading other books as well, I found myself stopping to see what was said, and what my mind was creating. It was interesting to see what I had put into the story! I really enjoyed reading "The Storytelling Animal."
ReplyDelete-Lauren Tucker
The Storytelling animal is one of my new favorites- however I have one major take away/problem with the work. The part where it makes you think you're losing your mind. Being a creative person, hearing that creativity is extremely close to mental illness is kind of a wake up call. One thing that I do understand to a certain degree is paranoia. I am constantly running through past scenarios, making sure that what I said wasn't accidentally taboo or awkward. But some people, like Alex Jones, are constantly going through scenarios in their own minds that were supposedly conspiracies. Although I must admit that whoever pulled the fire alarm on him during an interview is a genius and I wouldn't have been able to pass up that opportunity either. On page one forty-four Gottschall talks about how every fictional character ever imagined, is in reality, nothing more than chemicals soaked into pressed particulates. This really set me back a few steps because suddenly I realized, everything that made every fiction book special to me, isn't real. But at the same time it brings me great comfort to know that the guy who thinks that a ordinary sedan is undercover military intelligence, has nothing to show for it but words on paper and outbursts on videos.
ReplyDeleteDaniel Bonar
I would have to agree with Linzi that the part of The Storytelling Animal that will stick with me the longest is why humans crave story. Since I've read this chapter, I have been noticing the stories all around us. We make up stories to explain our surroundings, help us remember facts, and to entertain our desires when they are not plausible at the moment (such as flying through the air like a bird while on a long bus ride). Another section that will stick with me is the inclusion of video games, specifically MMORPGs, to the constant emersion of story. I have played games for years and have often found myself dreaming of things in-game or longing to return to my virtual home. I finally realize that the reason this occurs is because I am truly a storytelling animal.
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