Some Brief Thoughts on How Stories Make Us Human

The way we tell stories evolves over time, but one thing will not change: We find our humanity and our very selves in stories.

[@The_Tauri]

Speaking of science, there is this idea that consciousness itself emerges through the act (perhaps need) for a complex brain to tell itself a story of what the world is, constructed moment by moment through the synthesis of innumerable sensory inputs. That, having a consciousness telling itself a story about the world and its place in it is the only way to make sense of the flood of information coming in every second is why we have a sense of self as well as perhaps consciousness itself. So, storytelling might be at the very core of our being. But in a sense we are also trapped by it. We cant help but tell ourselves stories about our self and place in the world. And if those stories turn sour, we can fail to recognize them. But we can change the story, because the best thing is, its at least partly self-authored. We arent merely a character playing out what someone else wrote (unless you believe in destiny or fate I guess). But if we can take the authorship, we can change the story. PS: Wouldnt mind a video with some not-brief thoughts as well. :D

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

@@The_Tauri I love this! Yes, I believe that storytelling is intimately connected to our sense of self and consciousness. I think we should proceed at least as if we believe we can take authorship, even if that’s just another story. 😊 Thank you for your excellent comment!

[@The_Tauri]

@@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy 💙

[@douglashufnagel7424]

Did you use this monologue for your students? It really sounds like something a professor would tell their students on the first day of class. Expansive, articulate, explains why the study of storytelling is so crucial.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

We have a discussion on this topic on the first day of my introduction to literature course, so this is sort of the short version. Cheers, Douglas!

[@bryson2662]

I've been reading Le Guin's Essays lately. This reminds me of some of them

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

@@bryson2662 Le Guin’s essays are just as important as her fiction, I think. Cheers, Bryson!

[@nicksisti4026]

I can attest that he does! 😅

[@Talking_Story]

Absolutely lovely.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Thank you for watching, John!

[@nazimelmardi]

What a great video is this. A short format of cheering us up today again to listen and tell stories. Fantastic! 👏

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Thank you, Nazim! I'm happy that the video cheered you up!

[@Johanna_reads]

Beautiful reflections on how stories make us uniquely human! It's wonderful to think of how many possible story forms exist, and how many stories inform our personal narratives. I once watched a presentation with Raymond Moody who specializes in Near Death Experiences, and he talked about how often people report "life reviews" for those experiences. He said that if he were to speculate something about God, it would be that God must love stories. Haha!

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

What a wonderful addition to the conversation, Johanna! The fact that near death experiences consist essentially of "rolling the film" of our lives confirms that we are the storytelling creature. Thank you!

[@ericF-17]

Nice video. I think increasing empathy is one of the most important roles that storytelling has - possibly its main function.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

I support this message! 😁Cheers, Eric!

[@KalleVilenius]

Terry Pratchett talks about this very topic very well in Hogfather, about how we need stories to be human. Death has a speech about it, and if Death says something you should listen to him.

[@KFoxtheGreat]

I came to the comments to mention Pratchett and am glad I found someone else beat me to it! 😊

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Always listen when Death speaks. And also when Sir Terry speaks.

[@Bardic_Knowledge]

There's also several chapters talking about the idea in The Science of Discworld 2: The Globe. Including a thought of how the human binomial nomenclature should be Pan Narrans, rather than Homo Sapiens Sapiens.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

@@Bardic_Knowledge Sound like I should be reading that! I really must get to more books by Terry Pratchett.

[@Bardic_Knowledge]

@@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy There's four Science of Discworld books. The format is half an original story set on the Disc and half science related to the story. Book one is about the history of our universe (as seen through the eyes of the wizards), book two is about the importance of stories (as the wizards fight to get Shakespeare born), book three is about evolution (as the wizards help Darwin write the right book), and the last is about science itself (as the wizards have a legal battle against some Omnians over ownership of our universe).

[@peterdeluca]

Absolutely loved this video and topic. Definitely think a video expanding on the history of the printing press and its impact on the modern novel would be very interesting! “Imagination…to seek peace in our mortality.”

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

@@peterdeluca Thank you, Peter! I’m happy you enjoyed the video!

[@MetalGildarts]

Beautifully stated as always. Stories really are an extension of the human heart. I’m on draft of my book and I found it impossible to not take inspiration from my own life experiences; my own “story” let’s say.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

@@MetalGildarts Stories from the heart are the best. Much fulfillment in your writing, Marco!

[@Chance.Dillon]

Story is experienced every day in our own comprehension of what is perceived. And so, mediums of other stories help us feel even more human, almost assuredly that we are not alone in our human experience. What a darn beautiful video.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

@@Chance.Dillon Beautifully said, Chance! Thank you for watching and adding to the conversation!

[@thefairylibrarian3282]

Stories are so fundamentally important to who we are and also to understanding who we are. They teach us how we as a society and as a species view ourselves and the world around us. To study stories, we have to ask ourselves some of the most fundamental questions of human existence. It's not a coincidence that the study of literature (and thus of stories) is the oldest form of science in the world. Long before we even started caring about things like physics and biology, we were investigating stories as they are at the core of who we are.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

@@thefairylibrarian3282 Beautifully said in regard to what stories teach us! Cheers!

[@ZOMGfantasy]

Wonderful video. Thanks Philip for putting words to this love of story we all feel.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

I'm glad you find that the topic speaks to you, Zammar! Cheers!

[@yutubnyaDimi]

Thank you.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Thank you for watching!

[@e.matthews]

Joan Didion wrote in the White Album that "We tell ourselves stories to live." Thanks Philip, an excellent video!

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Joan Didion and a way with words that I deeply admire. Cheers!

[@ReadingByTheRainyMountain]

This was beautiful, thank you Philip! Reminds me of the quote from Martian Sands by Lavie Tidhar - "Intelligence is story. Otherwise life just happens, a series of isolated presents, disconnected moments". :)

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

@@ReadingByTheRainyMountain I love that quote! Thank you for sharing it, Varsha, and for watching!

[@BookishChas]

This was such a great video Philip. Stories really are part of our humanity. Bravo!

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

@@BookishChas Thank you, Chas! There are so many in which we wouldn’t be here without stories. All the best!

[@trance1215]

The Book That Wouldn't Burn plays with these ideas a lot. It's the story of stories!

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

@@trance1215 Yes - great observation! That’s one reason I love it!

[@BrianBell7]

I absolutely love this video. So few people on booktube could make such a concise and powerful video that handles this topic which isn't discussed often. Excellent!!

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

I'm so glad you enjoyed it, my friend! It's something I think about probably more than is normal . . . 😁But I do think it's a topic that is relevant to anyone. All the best!

[@BooksWithBenghisKahn]

So elegantly put and such an inspiring bit of wisdom to wake up to today!

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

@@BooksWithBenghisKahn Thank you, Ben! I appreciate you watching!

[@Snally38]

Great video! I completely agree, and love that you mention multiple forms of storytelling (comics, books, etc) as being valuable. I've learned a lot about people from reading books that challenge me, and many of those books (including your trilogy) came based on your recommendation! Thanks as always for the video!

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

@@Snally38 Thank you so much! I’m so grateful for your support in regard to The Edan Trilogy, and I couldn’t agree more with you about books that challenge us and the potential for growth from engaging with them. All the best!

[@esmayrosalyne]

What a beautiful video, you have honestly left me a bit speechless. Which is not a big problem, because I don't think there's much else I could add that you didn't say better yourself already. Thanks for sharing these wonderful insights, you made me remember why I am so proud to be a book nerd again 🥰

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

@@esmayrosalyne Yay! Book nerds unite! 😊 Cheers, Esmay, and my best to you for all the stories you encounter!

[@curtjarrell9710]

A fine and thoughtful video, Philip. Thank you for your insights.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

@@curtjarrell9710 Thank you, Curt! I appreciate you watching!

[@arabellawillow]

What a wonderful treat on a friday morning 😊

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

@@arabellawillow I’m so glad you like it, Arabella! 😊

[@TomOrange]

what a great video! Im going to send this to my friends when they ask me why I like reading.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

@@TomOrange Thank you, Tom! Just the fact that you’re a reader means you’re a good influence for your friends who don’t understand why you like reading - they may not know it yet, but you are!

[@DoUnicornsRead]

"The tales brought them closer, as if they were entering a world he only summoned for them". Can't remember who exactly wrote that 😉😊, but hooray for the power of storytelling! And thank you, Philip, for including some ochre!

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

@@DoUnicornsRead That sounds like a writer who is preoccupied with the act of storytelling! 😁 It is a fact that ochre has long been an important color in stories. Thank you, Angela, for watching and, as always, for your support!

[@DoUnicornsRead]

@@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy I think you're right. Some other author wrote a blurb about a video, I mean a novel, born out of the love for the story. Says it all. 😁 Strictly speaking it should be colours as ochre is a whole family of pigments that comes in many colours like yellow, red, purple even white. But I will shut up before my obsession with earth pigments gets the better of me.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

@@DoUnicornsRead I’m confident you could speak with eloquence about ochre for a long time!

[@DoUnicornsRead]

@@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy Indeed, and most likely bore my audience to death.😂

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

@@DoUnicornsRead Never!

[@Oharafolk]

Thank you so much for these great reflections!

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

I'm glad you enjoyed them! Thank you for watching!

[@Dwish305]

Well said Philip! Very profound. I can’t wait till you get around to reading Berserk, it’s my favorite story of all time.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Thanks so much! Berserk is on my short list for manga to read after I’m caught up with One Piece. Akira, Berserk, Hunter x Hunter, and a couple others are there. Cheers!

[@NerdLevelRising]

Absolutely love this video - how I wish I would have had you, or even a pale imitation of you, as a teacher in my undergrad literature classes!

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

@@NerdLevelRising Thank you for your kind words! I’m so glad the video spoke to you!

[@christianshobbiblog1816]

Great video Philip! This brought me right back to my favorite feeling during lectures which is when the professor really gets my thoughts going at 100mph and I leave the lecture feeling as if I have a better understanding of the world. My reading goal for the rest of the month is to finish Dust of Dreams (no way I can get TCG done at this point of the month lol) and to get to the halfway point of Mahabharata. Cheers and hope you’re having a better weekend than I am 🤣

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

@@christianshobbiblog1816 Thanks so much, Christian! Best wishes to you for the reads!

[@CombativeRoboGuy]

I remember that you mentioned somewhere that you believe we humans should be called “The storytelling creature” and it got me thinking at the time. And the more I thought about it the more I agreed and if I’m being honest it changed the way I view the world around me. It’s a thought process that somehow made the world seem a good bit lighter. I find myself with a more positive outlook on life because of it and for that I thank you

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

That is beautiful to hear! There have been some great thinkers who have explored this idea that we are the storytelling creature, and I think seeing ourselves that way helps to explain a lot of what we are and do. It also means we can always aspire to be better!

[@MartialGamerchannel]

Thanks!

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

@@MartialGamerchannel Thank you so much! I deeply appreciate your kindness and support!

[@jameswittak3483]

Really love this, thank you!

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

@@jameswittak3483 I’m happy you enjoyed the video! Cheers!

[@vaughnroycroft999]

I've always loved your essay format videos. I found this one to be incredibly soothing to my soul. Seeking my own story has definitely helped me along the way to defining who I am, and what it means to be human. Better still, it's provided the realization of the unending aspect of storytelling. I better grasp that my own life is an ongoing quest. Could've listened to you all morning, my friend. Please keep doing these and feel free to make them longer. Thanks.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Seeking our stories is, for me, one of the most meaningful ways to spend our time here. I'm so glad this topic spoke to you, my friend!

[@geauxreadbooks]

Wonderful thoughts Philip. It’s fascinating that stories have always had a part in the human experience.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Thank you, Matt! Stories are at the core of human identity and consciousness. One of many reasons to love them!

[@RhiannaVarney]

What a great video! 📖

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

@@RhiannaVarney Thank you! I appreciate you watching and commenting, Rhianna!

[@fndmaioli]

There's a quote from Robert Rodi, I don't remember where exactly I read it, but it had something to do with Sandman, maybe a short story. Anyway, I love it and here is how I noted it down: "Stories are important. They're all we've got, really. Stories are hope. They take you out of yourself for a bit, and when you get dropped back in, you're different--you're stronger, you've seen more, you've felt more. Stories are like spiritual currency."

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

I love this quote! Thank you so much for sharing it and enriching the conversation here!

[@Unimportant]

Stories to me are a bridge between the conceptual and the empirical. It gives form to imagination in ways that other people can appreciate. It may seem superstitious, but I think a story that gets to be told is happy it's been told.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

@@Unimportant I love that notion! Thank you for sharing it!

[@thefantasythinker]

I miss college :) Thanks for this!

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

The best thing about being a professor is that I don't ever miss college! 😁

[@BeverageEnjoyer]

Love this analysis

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Thanks so much! I’m glad you enjoyed it!

[@Wookie.Boogie]

Nice video! Not much to add, just trying to help with the algo! Cheerio

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

@@Wookie.Boogie My thanks for the comment and for watching!

[@BenderPro-g3f]

Hi I wanted to ask if you would ever make a video on how to go about publishing a book anything that an experienced person would know I'm sure there are other videos on it but it'd be great to get advice from you!

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

I’m actually thinking about making that video, so thank you for the extra incentive. Knowing that there’s interest helps!

[@superfuss1984]

I think Terry Pratchett had a Co-Fab Book on this.... 🤷‍♀️

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

@@superfuss1984 There have been some Pratchett comments here, so that sounds about right!

[@superfuss1984]

@@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy I really miss him..He made Philosophy(?) Funny...

[@whackadoodlesoup3314]

are you doing your editing and channel management yourself?

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

@@whackadoodlesoup3314 Yes, indeed.

[@MartialGamerchannel]

Awesome. Would it be possible if I can be to be a patron, and get you that Akira 35th anniversary box set I mentioned earlier? Would love to hear your thoughts on it, and I know that one in particular, is an bit pricey. I know you are busy with other works of art right now, so I mean a bit later. Tho if you can do dm later, Id try to grab it as a gift and divert mail it to a PO Box

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

@@MartialGamerchannel You are very kind! I have read a little about Akira since you recommended it, and I have decided that I’d like to read it once I’ve caught up with One Piece. That will likely be late this year or early next year. Such an important series as Akira, which introduced manga to the wider world and had a tremendous influence on cyberpunk and dystopian fiction, should be read. Thank you so much for your kindness in offering to help me with procuring it. I don’t have a patreon because I’ve never been comfortable with the idea of receiving money for my videos from people whom I regard as my fellow fans of storytelling - we are all passionate about great stories! As we get closer to when I start reading the series, we can think about how I’ll access it. For now, I’m very moved by your generosity and appreciate your advocacy of a series that sounds like a must read for me. All the best!