Whoever controls the narrative has the power | Gretchen Busl | TEDxTWU

Reasoning is complex and learned while storytelling is innate. Master plots become a way of making sense of the world. When we don’t see ourselves in the master plot, we think we need to be prettier, thinner, richer, …fill-in-the-blank. Stories really do shape our worldview, and we cannot let them do so uncritically.
Gretchen Busl is a narrative scholar, working to understand how stories can be used both to divide communities and to bring them together. She is an assistant professor in the Department of English, Speech, and Foreign Languages at Texas Woman’s University, focusing on global literature, rhetoric, and writing. As a Public Voices fellow with the Op-Ed Project, she is committed to erasing the artificial division between academic and public discourses. She believes that understanding and harnessing the power of narrative is a critical tool for social change.
This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at ted.com/tedx

[@R0ugeProductions]

This is one of the most important Ted Talks of all time.

[@Backyard.Archery]

Agree... super important

[@MagicBoterham]

Right?

[@nm3498]

Excellent subject and execution. Much appreciated

[@sofi1518]

the audio is waaay too quiet

[@TGIAM7]

I have been so enlightened ! This was good !

[@yuribhr4847]

thanks for this lecture

[@christophergardiner5351]

One thing that I like to do, as a person who has taught before, is whenever someone is teaching something to me is to watch the lesson again and apply what was being taught in the lesson to the lesson itself, and consider if the teacher is applying the lesson in their methods. This is no different.

[@jeffinrodriguez914]

Tyrion Lanister said something like this towards the end of Game of thrones; about the power of stories and the importance of it.

[@christophergongora7885]

Got is great example of how politics work well the first 4 seasons

[@faithturner1523]

Wow this never has been so important than right now 💛✨

[@Ryan-mq2mi]

Hi Faith, love that name. Let’s hope that dissent and counter information stays available, as if the world’s information becomes centralized - which we can already see that’s the trajectory, it will be easily controlled and any counter information will be considered folklore but that will take in a serious criminal meaning, as all unapproved information will be considered dangerous mis and disinformation that has no place in society, especially when the correct information is so clear and settled. Hope I’m wrong but even if, I can take solace in knowing we live in a fallen world, that is temporary, and God has already won

[@mihnic0504]

I was obsessed with the Justin Fields / Chicago Bears story in 2024. Not necessarily because he’s my favorite player but because there was an obvious narrative that was created against him. One example is Stephen A Smith came out and said, “ he just not the guy”. After listening to Smith speak it was obvious that Smith may never have watched Bears game throughout the season. Yet other Bears fans were repeating his words. After the Bears traded Fields Smith then changed his position on Fields and stated he is a promising young talent. Stephen A Smith is a tool used to control the narrative.

[@elizabethbrownlow9380]

Awesome explanation of the power of narrative! I use it in my Ethnic Studies courses.

[@christopherjoseph3286]

The winner writes history

[@xulumbusiralph6035]

Don't know how many times she said "alright? okay?" Lmaol

[@reflectionprojection]

Very useful talk- thank you I am a Law student trying to make sense of a story that does not instinctively make sense to me Also thinking about my role in family as black sheep No matter how many 'A's' I get- it's never enough LOL

[@reflectionprojection]

I'm old now so obviously, when I'm talking about grades I'm speaking somewhat metaphorically- the family can't have me as the good guy when they're a pack of vulgar drunks- that's how I cast them in my narrative I guess

[@riffraff1651]

when they lower the volume like that, is because they don't want you to know

[@craigfacey9037]

Too quiet and can't hear it :(

[@kevinharrison3265]

Your intelligence is very attractive. ❤😂🎉

[@MrLigonater]

Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra.

[@aaron.althouse]

His eyes open.

[@breaduard8882]

Anyone heard the Carti reference?

[@XShollaj]

Came here from wsb control the narrative 😁

[@melodielewis5574]

who else is watching this because of school, and who else is watching this not understanding a thing

[@xavierduax685]

Shiiiiiiiiiiiiii lmfaoo

[@faithturner1523]

Good teacher 👏🏽 apply it to present day situations in the news. What is mainstream media trying to push on you. Fear, division and isolation.

[@donnabolton7442]

Can't hear it. Audio way to faint.

[@miniminamanmina3715]

See spot run ,run, run, run, do you remember your first grade reading story .

[@lonelyleaf270]

she is like the female equivalent of Mr Mackey from South Park, mkay?

[@kjarri7780]

The sad thing is you could show this to the russian or chineese people today and they wouldn’t know what she was talking about

[@Yoda-sx3oz]

anyone know how the narrative paradigm relates to conspiracy theories

[@1995yuda]

Western society is built on 2 distinct cultures: 1. Greek 2. Hebraic. The hebraic biblical culture is the mother of Narrative and the greek culture the mother of Rationality. But biblical narrative is rational and logical, it is rhetorical by nature, it requires critical thinking skills to understand and grasp. It does offer simpler layers of communication for the unthinking masses, but don't confuse yourself and think that is all it has to offer.

[@ALEXFVHS]

Guh

[@1995yuda]

You just couldn't help yourself, could you? How ironic that in a talk about the rhetoric of narrative you made sure to subvert and push your own propaganda. To add salt to the wound you talked about being critical but was uncritical and contradictory yourself.

[@matthewbean395]

Extremely common occurrence for these narrative scholars. Their perspectivism is presented as the truth, rather than as a perspective.

[@hitoshiigarashi5350]

I agree with her but I am suprised to learn in the end she's a leftist.