Human beings are programmed for stories. From the time we are small our brains fill in the gaps of information with a story. For centuries storytelling was an audible/spoken medium and communal event. From ancient bards, theater, and jesters, to the tribes gathering around a fire in the coldest seasons to tell stories, this was how it was passed down. While written records were kept, not everyone could read them, so it was more a way of preserving stories than just giving them full access to people.
In the age of information, stories seem to be rather belittled. Stories are often labeled “not real” or “not true”. They are said to be the opposite of facts, which is a deeply reductive concept. Stories do provide information, provide context, and supply a considerable amount of bias. How we spin the facts into a story determines how those facts are accepted by the public.
Every single political candidate is telling a story. That story contains a version of facts, mixed with opinions and projections. And stories are how we learn to distinguish the Big Bad Wolf disguised as our grandmother. The old fairy and folktales teach hope, trust, and fear, as well as the value of being cleverer than the ones who are trying to deceive us.
As I observe the increased fervor of political conversations, I bring all my experience of stories to analyzing facts. I know that the candidates will not give me all the facts, I know that they are trying to choose the villain, and hope that will get you to root for them. I know the news outlets will be selective in their portrait of policies and candidates. So I need to find sources I trust and still use the skills of analyzing stories to filter through the information.
It’s not a perfect filter, but it is one of the ways that we learn that there will always be those out to cause harm. If we allow those people to have power, the harm they cause will be much greater. What is the story of someone’s life? Do they leave a string of hurt? Are they willing to admit when they are wrong? Is the story they tell one that accuses and deflects blame?
Politics is not about the facts. It’s how you tell the story. Choose your word wisely, my friends, they just might be your last.
For the Ears
I am a fan of audiobooks, particularly for my children who do not seem to have the capacity for just sitting down and reading. My eldest daughter likes to pair a physical book with an audiobook, most recently A Little Princess. My boys both prefer to listen while doing Legos or some similar occupation. I managed to convince my eldest to listen to an audiobook while mowing the lawn last summer. He likes the “How to Train Your Dragon” series.
For the Eyes
On TikTok, I have a series of videos on the political flyers in my mailbox. As well as other things.
Stories have a visual component. A picture book can tell a great story with few to no words. Children who can’t yet read will create stories around pictures, which is such an important skill for them to develop their brains.
For the Taste Buds
Lately, I have been adding sliced sourdough to my weekly grocery order, which is everyone’s favorite toast for breakfast, or in addition to all the soup options for dinner.
May this week bring gentleness to your senses and your soul.