Welcome to my new site!
Read No-Injury Policy
C.M. HUMPHRIES
  • Home
  • Less Taken Pod
    • Less Taken Blog
    • Store
  • Library
    • No-Injury Policy >
      • All Things Beautiful Excerpt
      • Facade
  • Delusions (Blog)
  • Connect
  • Home
  • Less Taken Pod
    • Less Taken Blog
    • Store
  • Library
    • No-Injury Policy >
      • All Things Beautiful Excerpt
      • Facade
  • Delusions (Blog)
  • Connect

Forbidden Blog

Fear, focus, and the future. Here, C.M. Humphries writes about whatever. ​

6/9/2012

6 Comments

Your Life As Fiction

 

Science vs. Art

Picture
Ever start to relive a moment from your younger years only to be contradicted by someone else who was part of the moment? 

For instance, say you had a brother who always blew up his toys with fireworks. As you recall the event, you might swear he used to blow up some of your toys too, although someone else might disagree. What is worse is when a third person jumps in and says you're wrong, although you remember the moment like anything else.

According to this article, here's what happened: You clearly recalled your brother blowing up toys with fireworks. You remember the days when this event excited you, and perhaps you remember an event when your brother destroyed one of your toys, which wasn't so enthralling. As you look back on a toy that became nothing more than plastic burned down to static drips like dry wax, you might swear to the heavens that your brother destroyed your toy in one of his pyromaniac moments. 

But still, your brother and whoever else swears you're wrong. It's like that you've confabulated. 

"Confabulate" was definitely not a word I learned until I read this article, and if it was on the GRE I sure failed that question. Basically it means that there were gaps in your memory that you filled in with plausible events from other memories or with scenarios that made sense with all of your previous knowledge.

Don't worry, though, you're probably not suffering from a mental or emotional disorder . . . yet.


Picture
This is just the beauty of how the mind works. Of course, once you confabulate (I love saying that word!) too often and too much of a story, you should probably be checked out. Otherwise, it's our natural storytelling process.

See, the mind doesn't really care about information nor does it remember it that well without a narrative. Sometimes when I used to take a test, I would recall a joke that was made while I was studying a certain subject. Many people remember things when there is some sort of story surrounding it. It's how Bill Nye can teach hyper-active kids the most boring concepts in science.


The downside of all this is many people have either chosen science or art. As it relates here, sure you remember a narrative better than a singular set of facts, but science can explain way. There's no magic or mystique to it, which is the very essence of art. 

A lot of fiction has become unpopular because science explained some of the elements and made certain ideas erroneous at best. Think old-school sci-fi films and how you laughed at their notions of space. 

It doesn't have to be science vs. art though. There's no reason you can't understand a situation and still admire the magic behind it. In fact, here's what Michael Gazzaniga, a cognitive neuroscientist and the author of Who's In Charge has to say:

"Gazzaniga suspects that narrative coherence helps us to navigate the world – to know where we're coming from and where we're headed. It tells us where to place our trust and why. One reason we may love fiction, he says, is that it enables us to find our bearings in possible future realities, or to make better sense of our own past experiences. What stories give us, in the end, isreassurance. And as childish as it may seem, that sense of security – that coherent sense of self – is essential to our survival."

You Might Also Enjoy

Your Storytelling Brain 
How Storytelling Can Save Your Life
Why You Like Fiction
Excluded
Social Network for Storytellers
Video Games + Books
Nonfiction + Pornstars
Fiction is About What We Can't Say
< Here's a quick link to Gazzaniga's Who's In Charge, which is definitely an intriguing read on how our minds work, especially with topics related to this blog post. 

I recommend checking it out. It might even give you some great ideas for your next story. Fiction may be strange, but nothing is stranger than reality. Likewise, nothing makes for a better fiction story than reality. 
6 Comments
Bus Ad Agency Chennai link
12/16/2019 12:49:04 am

We are one of the authorized person for bus branding in Chennai metropolitan. Across Tamilnadu. Bus Back Panel Advertising in Chennai, MTC - Chennai City Bus Advertisement, Bus Advertising Agency, Bus Ad Agency, Bus branding in Tamil Nadu, Bus back advertising size, Bus back advertising Chennai, Bus back advertising cost in Chennai, Government bus advertising, Bus advertising rates in Chennai

Reply
bus advertising in chennai link
2/3/2020 05:29:13 am

Bus advertising in Chennai . Hire us one of the back back panel advertising in MTC Buses in Chennai. Get best rates.

Reply
whirlpool 7.5 kg fully automatic top load washing machine link
10/6/2020 08:40:49 am

Your thing with respect to making will be for all intents and purposes nothing hard to come by of amazing. This instructive article is unimaginably valuable and contains offered myself a superior answer for have the option to my own issues.

Reply
CBD oil benefits link
7/20/2021 02:04:17 am

Valuable information! Looking forward to seeing your notes posted

Reply
dog collars dubai link
10/2/2021 06:44:06 am

I want to thank you for the efforts you have made in composing this article.

Reply
sales email signature link
1/10/2022 01:28:52 am

The content is crisp and I would like to appreciate it because it help me in finding what was looking for on the internet. and it is very gainful content for me. thank you!

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    About

    Fear, focus, and the future. C.M. Humphries talks about writing, horror, and whatever. 

    Archives

    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    March 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    March 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    April 2011
    March 2011
    February 2011
    January 2011
    December 2010
    November 2010
    October 2010
    September 2010
    August 2010
    June 2010
    May 2010
    April 2010
    March 2010
    February 2010
    January 2010
    December 2009

    Subscribe.
    ​We'll keep in touch.

SUBSCRIBE
Picture
© 2009-2022 C.M. Humphries. Any unauthorized use and/or duplication of the content without expressed and written permission from the site and content author/owner is prohibited by law. ​ Not intended for audiences under the age of 13 years old.
Photos used under Creative Commons from moedermens, hans s, gidovd, Federico Limonta, Marcin Wichary, heather aitken, Caren Mack Photography, Guilherme Yagui, Latente 囧 www.latente.it, miss_rogue, quinn.anya, Javier Kohen, sampitech, Gerald Gabernig, the_black_room, Bernt Sønvisen, jamalfanaian, andrewrennie, Elizabeth/Table4Five, quirin.thalhammer, swruler9284, Kryziz Bonny, Miguel Virkkunen Carvalho, chuck4x5, Mountain/\Ash, Jonathan Kos-Read, Niels_Olson, h.koppdelaney, Matthew Paul Argall, DidWee, Sweet One, osseous, Tony Webster, maf04, Gustavo Minas, poptech, r.nial.bradshaw, marcoverch, emilianohorcada, porschelinn, markbyzewski, dannywebs, amanessinger, declanandrews, Artotem, M. Martin Vicente, davescaglione, Gamma Man, ell brown, glasseyes view, LukeDetwiler, ephotography, Luiz Fernando / Sonia Maria, Filter Collective, cdedbdme, mhx, Enokson, gagilas, Max Wolfe, Ted Van Pelt, Sigfrid Lundberg, Sean Loyless, Mr. T in DC, Key Foster, marimbajlamesa, Fitsum Belay/iLLIMETER, Vectorportal, Alberto_Montoya, carianoff, luc.viatour, >>> Silly Rabbit, Trix are for Kids <<<, electricnerve, Nanagyei, crimfants, Editor B, gordontarpley, eleanor ryan, eviltomthai, shanon wise, dutchlad, Rick Moerloos, Poetprince, david_shankbone, Kurt and Sybilla, Abode of Chaos, grilled cheese, quinn.anya, Xoan Baltar, Marko Milošević, little blue hen, uzi978, SweetOnVeg, procsilas, Robin Hutton, Thruhike98, zaneology, Cameron Nordholm, CarbonNYC, Enderst07, dollen, LunaMoth116, swanksalot, aturkus, ElvertBarnes, Paul Jerry, Pip R. Lagenta, Joshua Kaufman, currybet, Oh-Barcelona.com, Joe Shlabotnik, Will Folsom, Helena Liu, David.R.Carroll, Robert Bejil Photography, Patrick Doheny, Hachi Gatsu, Justin Marty, Julie Lyn, Scott LePage, Daquella manera, Markusram, ginnerobot, Zach Linder, StevenW., denn, h.koppdelaney, TheeErin, aaron.michels, davidflanders, Dustin and Jenae, Mike "Dakinewavamon" Kline, mr_t_77, gordontarpley, brewbooks, coconut wireless, Håkan Dahlström, Mr. T in DC, urbanshoregirl, cathyse97, The Cleveland Kid, iamliam, andy jou, 666isMONEY ☮ ♥ & ☠, julesxt, MonkeySimon, Carlos Aguilera Espinosa, twentymindsomething, Xanetia, ♣♦♥♠, vonguard, sillygwailo, Geraint Warlow, Alyssa L. Miller, chadmagiera, how will i ever, Parker Knight, Unhindered by Talent, wwarby, teresawer, Lo & Behold >> Shrie L. Spangler, Larry Tomlinson, magnetbox, Very Quiet, prendio2, j_anet, timhettler, David Boyle, hang_in_there, krossbow, robertrice, Schmirn, Fitsum Belay/iLLIMETER, an iconoclast, samlavi, Ron Bennetts, Jagz Mario, eugeneflores, LetTheCardsFall, Rochelle, just rochelle, JaseCurtis, Ivan Marianelli, Dave Catchpole, mike 23, ANSESGOB, Catalin Vrinceanu, kio, kevin dooley, Amanda M Hatfield, Smath., rick, Grace Hebert, auntjojo, Kryziz Bonny, jwillier2, Al Pavangkanan, anokarina, my camera and me, IntangibleArts, Pink Sherbet Photography, hodgers, arohasilhouettes, Neal., greenfaerietree, sidewalk flying, Miles B., Luxxian Flair, amelungc, romana klee, dcJohn, Mitchypop, simonsmith001, Bruna Schenkel, zayzayem, KJGarbutt, simonlesleyphoto, torbakhopper, Glutnix, Panegyrics of Granovetter, Karamellzucker, h.koppdelaney, Photos by Mavis, perpetualplum, FutUndBeidl, NASA Goddard Photo and Video, b0jangles, suburbandollar, UnnarYmir, ohdarling, amulonphotography, Zach Dischner, _Fidelio_, OakleyOriginals, andertoons, little blue hen, rococohobo, FutUndBeidl, Pop Culture Geek, ben.chaney, theilr, genvessel, mariachily, Seth Mazow, Looking Glass, jslee_, lindsayloveshermac, Brett Jordan, AndYaDontStop, danperry.com, functoruser, gcfairch, Mikamatto, Thomas Claveirole, goodnight_photography, cometstarmoon, Ack Ook, Don Hankins, celesteh, Pip R. Lagenta, Cpt<HUN>, stvcr, Andreas.