Knowing How to Tell a Good Story Is Like Having Mind Control | Alan Alda | Big Think

[@Thomasfboyle]

This guy just told us a story about telling stories

[@mikew1332]

Yes he did. And the lesson is worth it.

[@jonathangibson9098]

Meta!

[@HeavyTOVids]

Jonathan Gibson Metal! Fucking metal! METAAAAAAAL!!!!!!!

[@cadenrolland5250]

So you're telling me, that he is telling me, how to tell others a story, by telling me a story? Deep. ;-)

[@jeffersonsantiago5567]

Yo Dawg

[@hermask815]

A good story doesn’t have to be true, it just have to be told in an interesting way.

[@Monkey80llx]

Just a shame that a lot of people try to convince people that their bullshit is true!

[@BucketOfMarbles]

A good story is always true, but the truth might not be literal.

[@billielith]

Ummm, that is not what Mr Alda said, but every lawyer will agree with you, I guess, lol.

[@HernanHH95]

Also it doesn’t have to be interesting

[@Devil-gamin]

@@BucketOfMarbles is

[@rickkwitkoski1976]

Good STORY! From the "Life of Pi", near the end of the movie the narrator asks, "Which story did you like better? The one with the tiger or the one without?" "With the tiger" is the answer. Of course, everyone knew that version wasn't true, but it definitely WAS the better story. Overcoming adversity.

[@kookiecastro8452]

*so its just imagination? the one with the tiger?*

[@poojashree5838]

Are you sure that was the real story, from what i understood the insurance company didn't believe that he could have sailed and survived all those days alone with a tiger and that the tiger left him in an island. The insurance won't pay the claims if they can't believe the story, that is when he simplifies his story to make it more believable, and narrates a different version of it without a tiger.

[@kookiecastro8452]

@@poojashree5838 insurance company??? i dont get iit

[@guiguspi]

@@kookiecastro8452 I understood that the animal story was just a way to cope with the horrible real story (each animal was acctually a person). The real story involved two(?) instances of murder and cannibalism, one of them to his own mother.

[@kookiecastro8452]

@@guiguspi whats the horrible story?

[@PsoriasisChannel]

Telling stories changes everything. Thank you Mr. Alda.

[@mikew1332]

I wish more of the commenters understood that that was his point. Thank you, Psoriasis.

[@jolieholliman-douge]

I love coming back to this video! Sometimes, I unfortunately forget how much of a gift Alan Alda is to us all. His sharing/lessons are always relatable, applicable, and inspiring. Thank you, Big Think.

[@Wolf88888]

Beautiful! The glass of water analogy captures it all--a whole course on dramatic narrative in a single, simple metaphor. Perfect!

[@johns9350]

There's a lot of wisdom here. Life's a journey full of obstacles. We're story tellers. To get people to listen, tell an engaging story. They'll remember.

[@AWildBard]

Alan Alda tells a story about how important storytelling is. Brilliant

[@oz9213]

[carries glass of water nonchalantly across the stage, swishing it back and forth, slams cup on the table spilling water everywhere] "I've never liked the people in my village"

[@jackkraken3888]

Villagers:"Well we didn't like you either. "

[@ristoshikongo7730]

@@jackkraken3888 20 July 2021 Great story both of you.

[@davidottley2739]

A big "thank you" to everybody who came out for this performance. Don't forget to tip your waitstaff!

[@souldissolve]

Reading this I finally understand why it takes a village to raise a child. And if the village fails to do so, the child will eventually burn down the village to feel it's warmth.

[@Dogen70]

Excellent

[@zinqtable1092]

Yes! Thank you Alan Alda, I finally have a verbal translation for why quite often the how is more interesting than the what.

[@englishwithviviana]

Mr. Alan Alda, you're one of the most fascinating people on this planet. Thanks for sharing your wisdom with us.

[@MotorDetroit]

This is great advice! As an engineer I’m compelled and training to speak in dry bullet point facts and charts. That’s valuable information! But you make a very compelling case to speak in narrative to a degree to keep attention. I cannot argue and will try to do so :)

[@mellow-jello]

Thanks, Alan. It reminds me of the story of the blind man on a blind horse. When challenged by his pals of telling the most scariest story, the main character conjured the tale of a blind man that was riding his blind horse back to his village, only to stray away the path towards a cliff face, and meet a horrible death once falling over. He stop the story as the half step at the edge was told, beating his friends in their contest of storytelling.

[@starpravesh]

It's not the goal that's important, but the journey.

[@thv.taecrew]

i love how all of his videos seem and sound like it's a conversation... .and as though he himself is geniunely invested and interested contently in it. not an assertive, ordered talk or smth like that... idk how to explain, it just feels that way..

[@LearnThaiRapidMethod]

Fermat’s Last Theorem A book about how Andrew Wiles discovered the theorem as a child and spent the next 40 years solving it! And along the way, we learn fascinating insights about mathematics and how discoveries are made…

[@pallaviborkar711]

I did not know Alan Alda was doing such good work. I remember him clearly form the M.A.S.H, and have been a fan of his comic timing & dialogue delivery since then. What a wonderful artist. 👏😍

[@RealBillP]

M.A.S.H. was the greatest story about a true story! Thanks Alan for the laughter and reality!

[@robg6965]

Thank you Alan Alda. You gave me a spark of an idea for my short story I wrote several years ago that lacked something to make it more engaging. It has been languishing for some time until just now!!

[@CogentConsult]

Alan, you are an excellent communicator. I was riveted to every word you said…especially the first three.

[@empathylessons2267]

I could learn a thing or ten from this

[@abeechr]

Alan Alda is an American treasure.

[@KryzMasta]

He's of course totally right. Because a) he's right, and b) he's Alan Alda. So we've concluded he's right. However, now everyone has seen this, everyone is doing this. So American Idol, America's Got Talent, and all those other godforsaken shows have people come in who are not really talented, but have such a tear-jerking story you're guilt-tripped into voting for them. I mean, what kind of human being are you if you don't vote for the kid with the chicken who overcame leukemia? Still, there's no denying his point. I wish we could all weed through the bullshit some more and find the actual valuable stuff (both the hard facts AND the story that makes it great).

[@ram29jackson]

assuming the tear jerk stories are true to begin with

[@akselk12]

Such a clear old mind! His speech is so smooth, relaxing, and his brilliance is shinning. (i used image am i ;)

[@TommyShlong]

He has a great podcast! Also if you never saw MASH you need to, he's great I it

[@julianlorenzon2833]

This is positively wonderful, i wish i could like it twice!

[@cunningman]

Wise and magnificent, thank you Mr. Alda. And Big Think!

[@85bezzer]

Great advice! There isn't a story I have ever connected with that did not have an obstacle or a struggle.

[@TheRustyLM]

I LOVED him in Crimes & Misdemeanors!

[@abhattach21]

Summary: Lead with an engaging story before sharing the technical stuff or instead of giving a short, boring answer with no human value.

[@kookiecastro8452]

i dont get it, why the title is like that? so the good story is better if its toxic, than the plain Great Information

[@TrickyD]

Stories are the 1st tool to teach aka pass on important information.

[@tommypaint6734]

Alan Alda is a good dude!

[@SaleemRanaAuthor]

Fascinating. A story about a story, an explanation about the value of a story, a dramatic onstage demonstration of how to set up a story, and a practical example of how to apply a story to achieve a goal.

[@PersonalPower]

Mastering the art of story telling is a beautiful thing! And it would boost my KZbin channel a lot. I wish I'd be better at it!

[@shinios4487]

great videos but you might wanna turn the volume up.

[@DanielBrown-cc4hw]

Thank you for creating this!!!!

[@95atnoon60]

Thank you! Instantly applicable and powerful!

[@astrobros4196]

Science itself is nested inside a story, the story of alchemy, the story of rebellion, the story of the savior. It would do many scientists a service to recall that.. so much philosophical confusion in the scientific community.

[@davidstevenson5830]

Hawkeye always was quite bright.

[@MarkShaneHansen]

I don't normally pay much attention to the names of speakers, so thanks for pointing this out. Despite finishing season 11 of M*A*S*H last week, I didn't recognize him. I know it's an old show, but going from that to this in a week messes with my head :).

[@binkz5987]

Bravissimo ...Mr Alda nailed it 👌

[@domokato]

A good story has obstacles. A better story shows the character or relationship transformation that results from those obstacles.

[@Happydeath1712]

But, Wait, How did he get to Toleto?

[@MarkShaneHansen]

Klinger probably gave him directions. After all, *Toledo is Klinger's hometown, so he should be able to help.

[@mattramsdell3173]

why would anyone want to go to toledo?

[@gorflunk]

Franz Kafka - An Imperial Message There are parallels between what Mr. Alda is telling us and what Kafka described.

[@stevenjbeto]

First of all, Mr. Alda, it is a great joy to see your face and to listen to the sound of the voice that brought such pleasure to millions in so many venues. Secondly, sir, is not the application of scientific method and the creation of story an act of free will? I take offense to others who marginalize what seems so fundamental to human nature. Third, in my working years, I was a terrible employee and suffered for having been outspoken, though privately with a supervisor. A better, less direct story might have been a better approach. And finally, I puttz with chisel and wood, and pen and paper. I have mastered neither, but your insights seem applicable to both of my hobbies and heightens my curiosity. Your gifts seem unending, Mr. Alada.

[@maryseeker7590]

On my way to Toledo my appendix burstand a whole bunch of Northerners from both New York and Michigan helped me because I'm from California true story

[@StrasnusDude]

This guy just told me a great story

[@tejuswadbudhe7909]

Thank you

[@sp277]

Great ! Thank you very much.-

[@cjua2803]

its funny how many new break throughs or everyday objects are created by accidents

[@jonathangibson9098]

Came here to say this.

[@brandonbohr.7301]

YEAH with your videos I am learning english

[@whatthefunction9140]

The obstacle is the way

[@BusinessPicks]

Love this! ❤

[@cherilynnfisher5658]

So true! Did I ever tell you my story about "the BIG one that got away. . ."? lol

[@LorettaBangBang]

Awesome!

[@yoursubconscious]

i like the water thing

[@alejandrosandoval9915]

A story is like a sandwich, the middle is what gets in between the two ends and which ultimately makes the bite so delicious.

[@realityisfake]

Alan Alda has such a weird fascination with Toledo.

[@DrMOB-kt7tt]

That's true

[@IfIOnlyKnew2]

Fantastic!

Amazing videos.. content.. knowledge.. thanks Big Think! we need more like u ;)

[@greenanubis]

Sales basics: make them feel the bullshit.

[@cxa011500]

Sounds great, but it's hard to tell stories when you have a boring life. My entire life feels like that empty glass. It seems like the essential ingredients you need are a destination and goals that you have reached, but I feel like a lack both. I haven't gotten anywhere that I want and I keep going down paths that lead nowhere. :/

[@EzeICE]

cxa011500 my friend the obstacles IS THE STORY. Not the place you want to go. It's always the process. And everyone has a story.

[@ArchitectingHappiness]

@MrGriff305. What a jackass comment to make. Smh

[@marcelchagnon4960]

Life is great awful great

[@AnujiAnuj]

Story-ception.

[@ad9366]

Interesting

[@BabaYaraMUFC]

GrandDad has the coolest hair in the whole world!!!!!!!!!!!

[@mikew1332]

He earned it.

[@chair6180]

Wow, my live has gotten more advanced just by listening to a famous interesting experienced fellow human being's wise words. Awesome!

[@TrishTruitt]

Great lesson in human psychology and very applicable for any type of marketing. Thanks!

[@lannguyen-pu1db]

Could this be applied to the stories in books like the bibul and such and the peepul who believe them?

[@freedo333]

If Alan Alda told me to carry a full glass of water across the stage, before i started id carefully drink some of the water outta the glass- without dribbling a drop- to make it easy to carry

[@notme5249]

Couse is more sticky? For media of sure. How body can follow mind...screw senses isn't means health?

[@PeregrineMoss]

If the glass was two-dimensional, and the water looked like it was floating in air, imagine the gasps then.

[@marcelchagnon4960]

God story. Our real

[@AK-hz4li]

How do we distinguish between fictional obstacle and real obstacle.. I guess there we will need to have expertise of given topic.. it is true that common people are attracted towards good stories but it is also true common people are generally misled into wrong decisions..be it business (share market, consumer market, etc) or political or motivational market..everywhere.. expertise has it's own importance..its like "dont bullshit the bullshitter"🙂

[@absw6129]

Pour the water out. walk up to the mic. look at audience. "Some men just want to see the world burn"

[@d0gsurfer]

Drinks the water; sprints to deliver the life saving glass for the village’s new well.

[@bobstone3386]

Adrian Bräysy I like the way you think.

[@swaggyp1219]

Video: how to tell compelling stories. KZbin: Beard club Ad!!

[@ChristianConstructionWorker]

Hello Hawkeye

[@Hypurman1]

Do you *discover* thin glass, or *produce* thin glass?

[@randyzeitman1354]

Existential before conventional.

[@freddymeisner]

Sounded like Optimus prime was turning back into a truck in the background every time he started talking

[@cerebrumexcrement]

No wonder so many discoveries were by "accident"

[@jasonhatt4295]

Hawkeye!

[@rayyanghayas1243]

Coool 👍👍

[@MrJDOaktown]

Am I the only one the finds that, no matter how good the story is, people don't know how to listen anymore?

[@amanvijayjindal5742]

Glass an atom layer thick is takeaway

[@dimitrisanchez2438]

"The Life of "Si" "

[@lazyidealist]

Where is the like button?

[@ثغامةعبدالله]

That was funny mister Alan

[@SamcroNomad]

in the begining of the video i was like, "mehh", by the end, i was like "Thank you Sir! "

[@marcelchagnon4960]

That not fair

[@apepeterpan]

Yes Barry Allen.

[@karankaran-us9vm]

a simpler verson woulve been intresting...

[@viorel1852]

Why does he sound so much like Richard Feynman?

[@acooldryplace00]

Hot lips Houlihan didn't give this man a chance...until he told a story

[@neld7721]

No wonder there was the virgin birth introduced in the Jesus story, it was not to indicate the birth was supernatural but it was used to indicate the person was extraordinary.

[@Government_Username]

So basically "The devil is in the details."

[@nancymohass4891]

Today human being have one goal, that goal is to become "human " again and there are many obstacles that has been created by greed ! This is our interesting ! Story ,believe it or not!

[@flagelus01]

How he got in Toledo? I need to know!

[@RamBhaktChandranarayan]

if glass was one atom thick, than it can't be transparent.........

[@professorJorge11]

Imagine if my name was George Santos

[@alirezarezaei8427]

Do you know what is the problem . some pepol thinking knowing too much

[@YouKnowMeFromSchool]

I though the FBI and Reddington couldnt disarm the bomb?