IF A STORY MOVES YOU, ACT ON IT
https://www.ted.com/talks/sisonke_msimang_if_a_story_moves_you_act_on_it/transcript
The title of this TED talk is quit misleading. Sisonke Msimang, the speaker, discusses three reasons on why stories are not as magical as they seem, and why they often get in the way of real action. The first reason she discusses is the way stories can create illusions of solidarity. People hear and read stories that create an illusion that they actually did what they read or that they are some how making an impact by listening to someone else's life. Unfortunately, by just sitting and reading or hearing isn't actually taking action, and many people fall into this trap. The second compelling argument deals with the protagonist and antagonist. Most people are drawn to the protagonist, due to them usually being the likable character, and in most cases the hero. Yet, the antagonist is the person you disregard, and throw under the bus because their morals or actions don't agree with what you believe. The antagonist stands for the things in life we don't want to confront or acknowledge. Msimang at this point in her talk told a story of her childhood about a kid stealing her bike, and then getting chased down and forced to apologize. She related this story to how she had too, for the first time in her life, stand and listen to the boy give an apology, when she knew the boy hated her and her statues, and how it was a hard lesson to learn that the messages we don't want to hear are the ones we need to hear most. Lastly, Msimang stated that stories are not always good because people normally forget to look at the bigger picture. She goes on to give a few examples of how people forget to link the narratives to meaning. In conclusion to her speech, she lists off a few ways society could make the world a better place, in the realm of storytelling. Although, she believes storytelling has a lot of faults, she believes some of it can still be good.
Sisonke Msimang was able to get her point across through humor and personal stories. By using a form of pathos, Msimang is able to lighten up the mood of her talk. She begins her speech with some humor to drag the audience in, "...and it's the perfect talk. It's the talk that I would have given
if I had been famous first." This gave way to laughter, leading her audience to listen in on what she was saying. She keeps with the humor through out her speech. It was found mostly in her stories, "So my bike was stolen while I was riding it...". Since she was able to make people laugh, she was able to connect with them and having a connection is one way to get people to like you and care about what you are saying. So, by using humor she could get her point across and have people take real notice and consideration. Another tool Msimang used to get her point across was logos. It's difficult to tell someone what they're doing has no real significance, but it's easier to tell them with facts. One specific example, was closer to the end, when she began to discuss the ways in which people have begun to trust stories instead of the media. she quotes, " only 10 percent
of young adults under the age of 30 'place a lot of trust in the media'". Msimang believes this to be bad, because people should rely on credible facts that come from the media. Following this statement she goes on to say, "From my years as a social justice activist, I know very well that we need
credible facts from media institutions combined with the powerful voices
of storytellers. That's what pushes the needle forward
in terms of social justice." This is a form of ethos, and it is another tool she used to persuade people on her views. By telling people of her life and how it relates to her topic, can convince someone that she is credible to discuss what she's talking about.
I chose this TED talk because I saw another video of her talking on TED talks called "Mad at Mandela" and the way she spoke and what she talked about moved me and I thought she was very convincing. Although this was a totally different discussion she was still able to drag me into what she was talking about, and once she was done giving her speech I understood why stories aren't as magical as they seem. Unfortunately, I'm quick to believe a lot of what people say without hard evidence, and I love fiction, but after listening to Msimang I should really start paying attention to the things that get overlooked. If you're reading this blog I highly recommend listening to it.
Hey erinnn, I enjoyed your post! I especially liked how you discussed one of the arguments with the protagonist and antagonist. I think that it can be related to Jekyll and Hyde with what you said about one not being liked as much as the other. I also thought it was smart that you included cited evidence to support your claims about her method of providing her argument. If I were to make one suggestion, I would not use black text on a dark red background, it was a tad hard to read.
ReplyDeleteGood post Erin! I think I vaguely remember watching this TED talk last year in TOK, and I remember the part when Msimang mentions the part about how her bike got stolen and she had to listen to the boy who took it apologize. You made a very good point by saying that often times when someone is reading or telling a story we don't often look at BOTH sides of it, or check to see if it is coming from a credible source. I think this is something that Msimang focuses a lot on, and rightfully so because it is a very important point. In order to tell a story it is crucial to make sure the reader/audience sees both sides of the story.
ReplyDeleteI remember listening to this TED Talk last year in TOK and really enjoying it both because of the story and because of the lady telling it! I agree with everything you said about Msimang and how she gets her audience to listen by trying to bond with them over humor. I think that that is exactly the way one should go about telling a story, because I feel as though more people listen if they feel the story is relatable. I thought your point about how she established her credibility was also very strong, because I didn't pick up on it when I heard the TED Talk for the first time.
ReplyDeleteFantastic! You started this post with a well written summary of the Ted Talk by Sisonke Msimang, who focused the problems with storytelling. The stereotypes with antagonists being looked down upon is relevant to almost all of the stories I have read, especially those old Marvel Comics! Sisonke Msimang also included the lack of the audience looking at the bigger picture in stories, as well creating an illusion with no action. I liked how you elaborated on the use of humor and personal stories were used to get their point across, even included quotes from the talk! Usually I would give advice in a blog comment, such as something to include, add or elaborate on, but this blog post was so well written I am at no liberty to correct something great. Good job!
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