Posts Tagged ‘story’

Tell Stories

We live in a world with information overload. Data, facts, statistics and definitive answers to specific questions are immediately available from search engines on the internet. But people want more than facts. They want understanding. They want meaning. They want context. They want stories. Children ask their parents to tell them stories because they like to fit the pieces of the story into a context they can understand. It is… Continue reading

March 9 2009 | By Paul | Tagged: convey, emotion, example, feeling, messge, personal, story, tale, tell | 9 comments»

How to Tell a Joke

Many people shy away from telling jokes because they once told one that fell flat or they are afraid of appearing silly or of offending someone. Jokes are canned humorous stories which are subtly different from personal anecdotes. With personal anecdotes you have the authority to tell them because they happened to you. Jokes are independent and in a sense artificial so you take a little risk when you launch… Continue reading

December 5 2008 | By Paul | Tagged: amusement, comedian, comic, funny, humor, joke, raconteur, story | 13 comments»

Buzzwords Are Disposable, Human Beings Are Not

Photo by autanEvery month, there are new business books on the market promising "secrets & insights" into "exciting change" which is happening... right now! They often use curiosity-baiting phrases like "Learn how [BUZZWORD] is transforming the way we communicate" or "Use the power of [ANOTHER BUZZWORD] to engage your customers".Buzzwords include but aren't limited to "Web 2.0", "virtual worlds", and just about anything… Continue reading

August 20 2008 | By Torley | Tagged: business, buzz, buzzword, Communication, language, marketing, media, mindhack, social, story | 6 comments»

Life Lessons You Can Learn From The Joker

Batman’s most infamous nemesis, the Joker, has been a longstanding archetype for prankish mayhem, and the late Heath Ledger’s masterful performance in The Dark Knight has only elevated the character to new heights. Despite the Joker’s unforgettable acts as a sociopathic murderer, many people are intrigued by him, and even find this Clown Prince of Crime to be maddeningly charismatic.So what’s there to love?… Continue reading

July 31 2008 | By Torley | Tagged: batman, catchphrase, color, hero, humor, lesson, life, myth, story, villain | 15 comments»

Thanksgiving and the Stories We Tell Ourselves

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving here in the U.S., possibly the most important secular holiday of the year. On this day, football is played, families come together and fight, vast quantities of turkeys are consumed, and stories are told. Stories of family and football, of course, but also a particular story, the story of the United States in its infancy, when beleaguered pilgrims came to American shores fleeing religious persecution… Continue reading

November 21 2007 | By Dustin | Tagged: achievement, self_improvement, story, thanksgiving | 14 comments»

My Best Presentation Tricks

Giving presentations can be a complete and utter thrill. Too bad attending them can be a complete and utter bore. If you are on the giving side, I want to offer you up a collection of my best presentation tricks to date. I've written on presentation and the storyteller's promise before at my site. I've written what has oddly become my top-rated post of all time, Bring out

May 16 2006 | By Chris | Tagged: hacks, howto, Lifehack, lifehacks, presentation, story, storytelling, tips | 145 comments»