2008
Story Lessons, Continued
I’ve written about Story before and gave it its own post. But as I learn about people, I’ve learned some new things.
First of all, most people don’t realize they’re characters in a story — their life story. They don’t step outside the system, as Hofstadter says. Alfred, for example, doesn’t realize he is a character playing a role in the movie The Dark Knight. He is a butler, and he does his butler thing. Sure, he’s so much more than that: a surrogate father to Bruce, an uncle, etc., etc. His character is deep with an entire lifetime of backstory. But he is not aware that he is merely a character in a story. If he were, he might speak to the audience, for example, as they watch the movie.
Most people are in Alfred’s position. There’s nothing wrong with that. We need people like that to keep the Story going. To be the supporting cast.
Secondly, if you start talking to people about the Story, only those who see they are characters will understand you. The majority will just think you are weird (at best).1
The way to communicate with people is to gently prod (often referred to as small talk) until you find out what they’re interested in. Then talk to them in terms of that.2 Not only will you be able to get your point across infinitely easier, but they will think very highly of you and genuinely enjoy your company. This is one of the reasons analogy is so important. If you can make an analogy that someone can relate to, you’re opening the doors of their mind.
Thirdly, your Story depends on other people. Without Sam, Frodo would have given up long before he ever even reached Mordor, let alone conquered the Ring. But if you expect to have an amazing sidekick, you have to be an amazing sidekick for someone else in their Story. It doesn’t make sustainable sense to behave otherwise.
Two people together can do more than twice one person. If you have a project, find people who are interested in the same thing, and work with them. On the days you can’t inspire yourself, inspire someone else. Be the Sam in someone else’s Story.
The Gods lift those who lift each other.
The best fiction I know of related to this is The Neverending Story
If you’ve seen the movie adaptation of The Neverending Story made back in the ’80s and were turned off, promptly forget it and read the book! There were numerous times reading the book when the metaness got to me. For example, in the book, the main character reads this book (called “The Neverending Story”), and he gets the feeling that the book is written about himself. Being aware of my life story, I got the same feeling reading The Neverending Story in real life! — a mind-blowing realization of metaness — which you can’t get from the movie.3
It is often found in the young adult section of bookstores, and this is a slap in the face. That’s like saying Star Wars is for kids because it’s rated PG. No! It is simply that universal that its audience is everyone; “adult content” is not needed. And the same goes for The Neverending Story.
Which category do you fall under?
, is a character in the movie.