How Our Imaginations Intertwine With What We’re Being Told
The easier something is to imagine, the more probable we think it is. -Rationality: What It Is, Why It Seems Scarce, Why It Matters, by Steven Pinker-
It’s not that it is actually more probable, but we think it is.
Which is why storytelling is such a double-edged sword.
On one hand, it bridges the gap between information that needs to be communicated and how well someone is going to be able to receive it. On the other, it paves the way for stoking the fears of those around us.
When you take in the world around you today, either through news outlets, conversations with friends, or a good book, think about the stories you’re being told.
Does your imagination influence how likely you think something is to happen?
Are the images in your brain a reflection of the facts… or a prescribed path?
