The Art and Science of Storytelling

Magic of Stories

Stories have existed since time immemorial from cave paintings to epics in ancient culture, from the use of shadow play and puppetry to the current digital age. They have been a crucial part of our evolution.

Human being are all born story tellers. Stories are a part of who we are. It’s how we evolved and understood the world around us, it is the method we used to communicate, learn and instil values. We are programmed to respond to stories. It is something that comes naturally to us.

Ever wondered how some stories hooks you to keep turning pages, whereas some others makes you explore and travel new places? Have you felt the joy and anxiety that Harry felt when he went to Hogwarts for the first time or pain that he experiences when Sirius dies? Did you jump with joy when Po defeats Tai Lung? Or do you have a feeling of dominance after Batman saves Gotham?

Why do we experience all these myriad emotions?

What is the science behind storytelling?

Why is it so powerful?

Neuroscience says that when you either hear a story, see a story or read one it activates as many as 7 areas in our brain and the neural activity in our brain increases fivefold.

Neuroscientists have this saying that neurons that fire together, wire together. So, when we are hearing, reading or seeing a story our brain is lighting up, and our neurons are wiring together. This triggers us to remember the information we are getting. Stories also trigger the release of neurochemicals like dopamine, oxytocin and endorphin that helps us focus, motivate, bond, connect, trust etc. it makes us more human it creates empathy, make us laugh and in general be more relaxed.

Stories helps us connect with people, relate with people and in fact even inspire people. Stories have been instrumental in how people, culture, societies, countries and businesses have evolved over centuries.

In this era of digital transformation, data and artificial intelligence how are you as students, teachers, designer, content creators, business leaders and organization going to leverage the power of storytelling?

What’s your story?