Storytelling independent of medium.

I’ve have been getting a number of responses to my previous post on Ag8 and the future of storytelling. I believe a lot of people seem to be confusing the medium for the message. I simply believe that paradigm is outmoded. The internet, by its very nature lends itself to discussions around technology. I want to start hearing more conversation around our story.

Storytelling throughout history has been independent of the medium. Sure, as a result of the medium certain forms, genres and archetypal characters of storytelling emerged. An incredible history has built around the shared myths and symbols that have emerged from the various mediums.

However, a good story usurps any medium.

When you read a great book, the story doesn’t stop there, you tell your friends, you discuss the book with others, and a myth is built around that book. This will largely be shaped by your close networks, what you have seen/read/heard about the book in other media etc. While the audience may not be actively communicating with the author, they are certainly shaping the subjective story that emerges. For the story, once read, becomes independent of the page and subject to the experiences, views and symbolic belief systems of the audience.

In a sense, nothing has changed. Their are still people creating and people consuming. However, the crucial aspect is the currency of openness and speed. The creator must now use the feedback of the audience to refine, defend or promote their story and be clear in their reasons for producing the story in the first place.

If story is truly about educating as much as entertaining then it is up to every storyteller out there to be clear in their convictions. They must tell stories that connect meaningfully with their audience. This doesn’t mean they ever have to lose sight of the story they are trying to tell. It’s just that instead of telling stories in a linear, clear-cut way, storytellers must now develop multiple levels of meaning. They must create, or allow the audience/creator to create, through-lines that are more human in nature than traditional narrative structure.

The story needs to embrace worlds to truly reflect the many worlds that make up our existence (e.g. internal, local, national etc).

Humanity will always require leaders to balance the needs and wants of society. As such, it will require creative leaders and storytellers to guide these communal stories. However, sometimes the best stories come from the most unexpected places. It might just be that we all have a story to tell. This may come as a shock to all the history saturated, culturally elite, traditionalists out there. I’m not interested in tradition for tradition’s sake. I’m interested in the human story. Aren’t we all?

Respect where the story has come from, but also be open minded enough to see where it may go.

The future of the story is out in the wild world. You better get ready.

What’s your story?

NB: While all mediums were created equal, we needed the internet to bring our story together.