Futerra reposted this
Storytelling is the programming language for a human being. This Futerra paper on imagining new climate narratives is one of the most fascinating projects I've ever worked on. Lots of other Futerra thought leadership projects are super-actionable guides or practical templates for change - this work is much bigger in ambition. Stories To Save The World reveals giant narrative arcs that weave through our public discourse, pop culture and our own story-obsessed minds. Hacking these ever-present story arcs is urgent and could change everything. As always, Futerra insights are free to download so as many people as possible can build on, invent from and use this resource in their own work! https://lnkd.in/e3PpJ9f6
Could we have one that is called stories to save us from extinction? Something about us saving ourselves. Sometimes I think with the narrative of saving the world and the planet we reinforce this idea that is an option and we are doing a favor. The separation between us and nature.
We're all natural gossips and eavesdroppers at heart—always have been. Solitaire. That's why we can't help peeking at other people's texts on the subway or listening in on conversations at coffee shops:) So, stories hit differently than stats. Our brains are wired to learn through "what happened next?" not "here's a spreadsheet." In the end, bringing awareness to climate action/change has a lot to do with marketing. Storytelling is the core principle of persuasion. Of selling, whether it's an idea or a product. It makes perfect sense why the climate message starts clicking when it feels like we're peeking into someone else's journey rather than sitting through another lecture. Loved this post. Thank you.
Super interesting and inspiring as always, Solitaire Townsend! 👏🏼👏🏼 I love the examples of different story frames. I'd love to hear more about the behind-the-scenes process to identify and whittle down the list of 10, if you're able to share... I can imagine it was a lively process. Are there any story frames that were not included that get 'honourable mentions' in your eyes or that might feature in an eventual Part 2? cc Thomas Coombes for interest
Ughh, I loved this so much. During my academic life I have been so interested in storytelling and myths in adaptations (mostly books to films) and I loved seen storytelling applied from the perspective of climate change. Super inspiring and helpful to understand and evaluate the stories that actually shape us individually and collectively. Thank you for this amazing post 🙏🏽✨
One of the most insightful reports I've read on storytelling and narrative frames for impact, thank you for sharing!
Love this Solitaire Townsend the transformation of society will happen though the evolution of millions of stories, such exciting times we are living in where we get to write them.
Thanks for sharing, Solitaire Townsend! The idea of storytelling as humanity's "programming language" is both profound and timely. The ability to reshape climate narratives by tapping into universal story arcs offers an intriguing way to inspire action and reframe our collective understanding of the climate crisis.
I joined a webinar you did on this a few months ago and I absolutely loved it! Since then, I have been using one of the stats (we are 22 times more likely to remember a story than any other communication) constantly. Thank you for that!
I found this guide at COP28 and it was one of the most useful pieces of info I've ever seen on the subject, and I still consult it from time to time whenever I'm doing climate-nature comms. Thank you for such a good work done!
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3wTruly love this. There is a fifth story, which I would call “Human Kindness”. This is us, remembering the key evolutionary trait that made our species different than all others is that we have unprecedented ability to love, and moving that loving energy to resignation from violent structures, forgiveness and reconstruction. Perhaps an idealistic utopia, but one that I would like to still live by as a pathway to follow.