why why why

stories:
- help us to define our worlds: by telling and retelling we build reality. Can you admit it to yourself? The times you have shifted the truth — just a smidge — to the right or left of reality. Those smidges over time add up. And the repetition makes it all real.
- remind us of where we come from — who we used to be — and reminds of, therefore, of who we are. And beyond that, who we can be.
- stake out territory in a socially acceptable and physically non-violent way. Competition imbues human behaviour. Today I learnt that when confronted with change, most people will become competitive, not cooperative. We can't wrestle in mud over martinis at the bar, but we can tell increasingly amazing, brilliant and engaging stories. Like badges of honour, these stories are testaments to who we are because of what we've done.
- help us get what we want. Stories charm, invoke sympathy, empathy and connection. As damaged as we all are by the inevitable abandonment we experienced as tiny babies and less tiny children (repercussions of which, it could be said, colours every action we take as adults), telling good stories captures people's attention. And we all love attention.
- are about remembering. And sharing that memory. In that way, we share ourselves.