#the power of storytelling

[avoicebehindthestars]

How can a show save life?

Someone has asked me that question recently. And I realised I didn't use to get it either. I thought it was an exaggeration, a way to express the love for the show. But then it happened to me…

For the past 4 years I've been struggling with depression caused by external factors (meaning it isn't just down to my brain's messed up chemistry). My living conditions went down the drain without much warning and due to legal complexities, there is nothing I can do about it. My life was reduced to mindless day-to-day existence with zero joy in it, just shuffling one foot in front of another with no hope of it ever getting better. You can guess where my thoughts often wandered. I won't admit it out loud (I have learnt through painful experience how dangerous that is in my country), but I won't deny it either.

And then came Good Omens and it was like getting shocked back to life with a defribrillator. The night I watched s2 finale my brain immediately went into overdrive and I hyperfixated with the intensity I'd never known before (and mind you, I've had plenty of hyperfixations over decades!). It's been many, many years since I'd graduated from university (I majored in literature) and for the first time since, I wanted to pick a narrative apart, analyse every detail I could find, while at the same time constantly daydreaming about Aziracrow. Whenever anxieties and despair came, I now had an escape, a mental safe space to distract me and lift me back up.

I think people underestimate the power of storytelling. The great Polish epic Pan Tadeusz was a massive hit when it was published because Poland had just been partitioned and the narrative told of days gone-by and happier times. It was an escape from the overwhelming, depressing reality, and a place of comfort. When Poland got its first translation of Winnie the Pooh, the translator (a talented poet) had taken many liberties, making it much smoothed-over and more elegant and fluffy than the original - again, it was an instant hit to brighten the grim reality of the II World War Poland. When Jews were forced into labour camps in Nazi-occupied Warsaw, they read contraband books and shared them in secrecy, risking punishment.

So when someone tells you a show saved their live, consider they might mean it. Perhaps they watched it to distract themselves from heartbreak or loneliness, and maybe they found comfort in the fandom. Perhaps they daydreamed about the story to make each depression-ridden day a bit lighter. Perhaps as they succumbed to darkness, they imagined a fictional angel (or demon) holding their hand and offering them a caring embrace.

[theragamuffininitiative]

I'm fixing to lose sleep over pondering what America would look like right now if the past 50+ years of procedural crime dramas had taken their cues more from Adam-12 (which follows two imperfect LAPD officers upholding the law and clearly more interested in helping victims than arresting bad guys) and fewer cues from Hawaii Five-0 (which follows a taskforce of people given full immunity and means to catch the bad guys no matter the cost).

The sheer number of people who joined the police force because they were inspired by the integrity of Pete and Jim vs the number of people who have since been inspired to join law enforcement based on the potential accolades, heroic autonomy, and cowboy power presented in the majority of crime dramas produced since. Stories are powerful, and sometimes I just think we follow the wrong narratives.

[potato-topato]

Hello. I finished watching Trigun 98. I feel like a different person now. Gonna go cry in the shower and then live a better life. Love and Peace 🤞

[agentrouka-blog]

Do you think that grrm meant Lyanna to parallel with Helen of troy?

With Rhagar being obsessed with prophecy which compelled him to "steal" Lyanna it seems very similar to Paris and Helens relationship, especially with the starting of a war and Robert ( who in this case is both Agamemnon and Menelaus- with cersie killing him and all)

it does not align perfectly but with Sansa's own connection with the whole little finger pomegranate = underworld thing it creates a very interesting contrast as both Pesephone and Helen are considered the daughters of Zeus.

I am sorry if this does not make much sense english is my second language and I very much enjoy your metas!

Hi anon!

(Please don't apologize, and thank you so much!)

I do think that GRRM is very intentionally creating literary and mythological and biblical parallels all over the the book series, and some are more overt than others. It's all about storytelling as a larger theme within the series, as history, romanticized legends, fiction, even outright lies.

Lyanna as Helen is certainly one such allusion, and it works beautifully with how romanticized the story is on all sides - obfuscating the much rougher, political truth beneath.

Other allusions include Agamemnon and Iphigenia in various father daughter relationships, chiefly Stannis and Shireen (but also Ned and Sansa). Or Persephone and Hades, as you mention. Sansa and Littlefinger create an obvious reference to the concept of a stolen daughter, while Catelyn/Lady Stoneheart and Arya reflect other aspects of the story, the maternal figure turned wrathful, the daughter who must return from the underworld to give her peace. The connection to the seasons obviously suggests that there may be an even larger reference at play to the Long Night, some forgotten tale of theft and grief and wrath.

GRRM has also directly referenced his admiration for the confrontation between Hector and Achilles, to illustrate his "the villain is the hero of the other side" approach to conflict.

Basically, when in doubt it's not unlikely that a recognizable parallel is intentional. It may just be a passing nod to similar themes, as opposed to a blueprint for an exact copy of the plot, but in many cases he seems to want us to keep these ancient stories in mind.

[mxdwn]

Voices Silenced, Stories Told: Reflections On ‘Killers Of The Flower Moon’ And The Power Of Storytelling

https://movies.mxdwn.com/feature/voices-silenced-stories-told-reflections-on-killers-of-the-flower-moon-and-the-power-of-storytelling/

[meripehchanme]

https://www.meripehchan.me/myblogs/the-power-of-storytelling-enhance-your-reach-with-business-bio-platform/

Every brand has a unique story waiting to be told, and with storytelling, brands can elevate their brand to new heights. By crafting a captivating narrative, women entrepreneurs can connect with their audience, build trust, and increase brand awareness. And here with MeriPehchan, a dedicated business bio platform for women entrepreneurs, ready to be your voice. With MeriPehchan around, telling a brand story has never been easier or more effective.

[storytellingcourses]

How the Power of Storytelling Can Transform Your Business

As everyone knows, storytelling is an important aspect of everyday communication especially when it comes to business. Its contribution to the growth of corporate enterprises remains untapped. Utilising the power of stories can help your business grow exponentially. This will not only help your company to gain more customers but will increase your business profits.

Here are a few reasons why you should use the power of storytelling in business.

Connects audience

Business storytelling allows you to better communicate with your audience who will relate to your stories. You can express the benefits of the products by giving them a suitable example that they can relate to. Studies suggest that people remember stories more than listening to hard facts.

Builds human connection

You can share the stories behind the goal of your business and provide some clear concepts to the listeners.  Using storytelling in this manner allows audiences to create a human connection with your business and make your business more trustworthy.

Improves your experience

Effective storytelling is an excellent method for conveying the practical application of the products and services of your business. Let's just say, if you provide business training, you can share the struggle days of your company and how it remained successful throughout the years.

Bottom line

If you want to captivate your audience with effective storytelling then contact 

Next Dimension Story offers the best storytelling coaches with proven strategies and expert guidance. They will teach you effective ways of storytelling to help you connect with your audience on a deeper level and leave a lasting impact.

If you are interested to join their online session, then visit their website and book your appointment with the expert storytelling coaches today!

[giantkillerjack]

Me: hm, I want something to put on the TV as background noise... Huh. Looks like YouTube is recommending something called The Last Unicorn. That's perfect, it's probably some old shitty animation that has aged poorly! I can watch it ironically!

Me, 2 hours later as the credits roll: *crying, cheering, buying the book, composing the songs*

Me, 2 weeks later: So I have compiled all of the quotes from the book that I think could make good tattoos, and also, HOW HAVE I NEVER LEARNED ABOUT HOW THE LAST UNICORN FUCKING SLAPS??? This gay-ass little fairytale fed my soul! Watered my crops! Transed my gender! Can't believe I heard of this story from youtube recommendations, of all places!!

[reality-detective]

Before he was president, Trump bought an estate in West Palm Beach, Florida. He put up an 80 foot flag pole and flew a 375 sq. ft. US flag on it.

The City Council told him that he could only have a 30 foot pole but he refused to take it down. They told him they would fine him $1250 a day until he took it down. He said fine, that's a chump change. When the fine reached $120,000 he went to the city council and made a deal. He said he would lower the flag to a 50 foot pole if he could donate the $120,000 to the Veterans Affairs, to which they agreed.

So he took down the 80 foot pole and a landscape company came in and built up a 30 foot hill where the pole was and then put up a 50 foot pole.

That's why ya gotta love this guy! 🤔 🇺🇲

[anetherealpoetess]

shipping discourse is so crucial because it encourages people to examine and re-examine their perceptions of female characters. when we actively think about why a ship feels comfortable or uncomfortable, we are less likely to be swayed by patriarchal notions of womanhood disguised as progressive ideals within fandoms.

female-dominated spaces, like many fandoms, are growing more conservative in tone, especially around complex female characters, and there is a growing discomfort with heroines attracted to villains. this trend parallels the conservative impulse to judge a person's morality based on their reading preferences. (a bad, bad thing.)

we are seeing a huge shift towards puritanical ideals of female purity (check out the trad-wifers on tiktok), and it is a rot seeping into fandoms. we have to keep shipping discourse alive. we have to keep talking about female characters and their complicated relationships with themselves, but also with other characters, including their attraction to morally-grey or outright villainous characters. keep asking people to examine and re-examine their perceptions of womanhood. keep them thinking.

we cannot let our fandoms reduce complex female characters and their relationships to simple moral statements. this approach creates a pipeline to conservative radicalisation, where the only shipping discourse allowed is through a tiny patriarchal lens. fandoms are spaces were we should explore, brainstorm, and celebrate female complexity, resisting the urge to flatten characters and their relationships into 'good' or 'bad' based on narrow conservative ideas of female purity.

[otaku553]

Need to write a 4000 word essay and take a neurobio final before I’m done with the term and both are due Thursday so we’re going back to the procrastination doodles again

[sauronism]

s2ep3 // s2ep6. a storytelling through appearance.

sauron appear before celebrimbor in a simple garment with little intricacies and a circlet that represent halo above his unkempt hair. a humble yet modest approach to his bearing. a common depiction of an angel. despite this, the white robe sauron wore is tainted. signifying his hidden corruption.

once he took control of eregion, and hold the title of a lordship, only then he appear in embellished robe and styled hair. the circlet no longer there. the color of his robe is fully black, as gold ordained his clothing. a design representing the pollution and the greediness of his desire to possess middle-earth. he is no longer hiding behind the role of an emissary. he is now, sauron, ruling eregion behind celebrimbor.

[helenvader]

These two stills nicely show the passage of time during Sauron's goo phase. Stalactites and stalagmites do not grow exactly quickly.

It's only after the shot in the second still that Blobron devours the poor rat.

It means he was a black puddle for a very long time before he turned into a spaghetti monster, crawled out of the cave, had a sled adventure, was run over by a carriage and turned into Halbrand... possibly not of the Southlands. :-)

It's a lovely example of "show don't tell."

[leotanaka]

gandalf's story and sauron's story running parallel to one another yet again...

[agentrouka-blog]

"Life is not a song, sweetling," he'd(petyr) told her. "You may learn that one day to your sorrow." In life, the monsters win, she told herself."- Sansa(AGOT VI). "In songs, the hero always saved the maiden from the monster's castle, but life was not a song, no more than Jeyne was Arya Stark."- Theon(ADWD I). What do you think about the quote life is not a song in these two instances?

I'd say in light of the fact that Theon does, in fact, when the stars align, and opportunity meets his recovering sense of self, choose to save Jeyne Poole from the monster's castle.... there's something to be said for how the songs can come to life. By choice. By one's own contribution.

To bring the song to life - to create a sublime moment of poetry within their rough world - a character must insert themselves into the fabric of a story by their own actions, and surrender themselves to risk. Surrender themselves to a song that might not even be their own.

Theon may escape Ramsay with Jeyne but he is not rewarded for his act. Stannis captures him and execution looms. And yet for Jeyne this is the most important thing anyone has ever done for her.

It's a beautiful mirror to Brienne who becomes a true hero when she steps out into certain violent doom at the Crossroads Inn. Will anyone sing of her bravery? Maybe those orphans whose lives she paid for with part of her own face. Or maybe they won't. She still did what she did and they lived.

The point is, we as readers are partaking of the song. We see them and what they do.

Be brave, she told herself. Be brave, like a lady in a song. (ASOS, Sansa V)

Sansa turns herself - and later Sweetrobin - into characters to help both of them overcome moments of great fear and danger. It makes them stronger. The same thing is true for plenty of people in real life, who take inspiration from fiction during moments of hardship.

Life may not be a song, but they intertwine. They hold hands.

[stubz]

Storyteller

"Hello Max, I'm here to surprise Pollix with a early pick up."

"Oh how nice, although I don't know if he'll want to go right now."

"Why not? Is he in the middle of a game?"

"No, its story time."

The tighalax smirks. "You really think he won't want to come because of 'story time'?" he laughs.

"Just look and see." the human smiles.

The teacher leads the giant feline being through the child centre to a corner where a colorful and beautiful plush carpet lays on the floor. Not that you could see it as it was covered by sitting younglings. All entranced by the human standing before them telling them a story rather animatedly and loudly.

"Pollix, lets go." calls Dux, looking at his cub.

Not even a glance.

"Pollix."

An ear twitch but still no look.

"...Pollix!"

The whole class looks including Kim.

"Oh, Pollix, your dad is here."

"Papa, not yet! The story isn't done." whines the cub.

"...you want to finish the story?"

"Pollix wants to finish the story! Jax and Morgana are fighting the monster now!" cries Nova.

"...is it almost over?"

"Oh, um, almost but, Pollix I can tell you the rest tomorrow-"

"My Papa says its okay!" Pollix cries interrupting Kim

"...is it okay if I...?" trails a very embarrassed Kim.

The tighalax nods and actually goes to sit next his cub. The sight making Max snort as the 8 foot tall feline like being towers over the younglings. After he settles in and Pollix snuggles in on his Papa's lap he gives Kim the okay to continue.

"...story teacher!" whines the children, their teacher taking too long for their liking to continue the story.

"Oh...right...okay then." she mutters, face red from nerves and embarrassment. This was the first time a parent saw her tell a story.

"...the monster roared at our heroes, swinging his mighty axe down at them. Flung into the air our hero, Jax, is grabbed by the giant's fist and thrown into the monster's mouth." The cubs gasp as the human acts out the catching their hero. Her voice slowly getting louder again.

"NO!"

"What does Morgana do?!"

"Is he dead?!"

"Morgana, seeing that the villain ate her friend charges at him as soon as she lands. Her sword drawn and ready, her face angry, eyes full of tears, and with a mighty cry leaps at the giant." She begins to act out the story, going back to her story telling enthusiasm.

"The monster in turn swings his axe at her, with her in the air it will definitely hit her. The axe hits Morgana and she falls to the ground badly hurt...but not without killing the beast. At the last moment she gathers all her magic into her sword and throws it at the giant monster, piercing his evil heart!" cries Kim, thrusting her hand out as if she had just thrown the very sword.

"...and then..." whispers Nova.

"The monster fades away, revealing a hurt but alive Jax. Seeing Morgana he drags himself to her and they hug, happy to see each other again. Even if they're both not in one piece. The healers arrive and the two head home where they continue the rest of their adventure together, as they were always meant to be. The end."

The cubs cheer with most asking for another story.

"No, no more stories for today. Let's give Kim a break, okay, she's already told you 4 stories." Max ushers the kids towards the toys.

"That was a very good tale teacher Kim, I never knew Earth had such interesting history."

"Hmm? Oh that wasn't our history."

"A legend or folktale then?"

"No, just a made up story."

"Ah, could you tell me the name of it? I would like to read it to Pollix at home, it sounded very interesting."

"Oh uh, I actually just made it up." the human smiles.

"You made it up!? How long ago? Must have taken you ages." Praised Dux, tail flicking in excitement.

"Actually I just made it up now, I make the story up as I go."

"...you make it up as you go...y'know that offer to quit your job and join my pack still stands right? Our planet and culture greatly value Storytellers such as yourselves, you could even make a great living if you worked for me."

"Thanks but I don't think I could ever do that, I hate public speaking!" grins the human.

"...but you just-"

"Children are the exception."