Cueva de Las Manos, cave painting ~7,000 BCE. Along with the mural of left hands, dramatic hunting scenes are featured as well.
So... Why Storytelling?
So... Why Storytelling?
Why do you cry when your favorite character dies, or wince at their misfortune? It is because authentic stories connect with you. These emotionally charged stories can be delivered in any number of ways--whether it be music, art, writing, or performing arts. Storytelling's ability to build empathy and connection has existed for over 40,000 years--and we believe it can continue to eradicate barriers that keep us apart.
We are lucky enough to live in a world of rapid technological growth and development. Through these technologies, our collective capabilities as a society have grown in unimaginable ways--and have given each individual the ability to affect the world. One doctor can treat illnesses that were once considered incurable. One farm can feed thousands. One person on a home computer can reach millions.
Yet this power comes at the expense of values that once united us as a society. Relationships and human connection suffer as technology puts walls between us--making us more likely to communicate via a device than a voice. As a result, we indulge in convenience at the risk of true connection. Creativity and originality suffer as artificial intelligence technologies that seemingly enhance our abilities also strip us our true creative identity. As technology brings more voices to more people, it also fuels echo chambers and homogenous thought--giving us the impressions that there is one "right" answer.
This is why we believe storytelling is vital today. Storytelling requires creative identity and fuels connection. Storytelling is one of the oldest forms of communication, with the earliest records dating back 40,000 years ago. It has been used to pass down myths of glory that continue to inspire and connect.
We believe truly unique storytelling today can still unify. The act of simply participating in shared genuine experiences drives connection, while some stories create a shared identity for a group or community.
We will explore the power of storytelling during our sessions!
Developing a Creative Identity
Unity is great, but is homogeneity great for storytelling?
The short answer is: no.
A creative identity is essential to making a story unique and delivering the true empathy that connects with audiences.
As artificial intelligence booms in our younger generations, its convenience and temptation threatens to become pervasive in all aspects of our lives. This is problematic in many ways, but most importantly, it strips us of a creative identity, and limits our diverse voices to a monotonous, boring one.
It's very easy to fall into the rabbit hole of convenience over effort, yet the rewards of developing a creative voice independently are astounding. It creates a unique identity, much like a fingerprint, and draws others towards your work. Trends fade quickly, but authenticity does not.
We will be covering all of this and more during our sessions.
