Right now, the AI bubble is so inflated that the entire American economy leans on its hype. Today we’ll discuss eleven major shifts and insights in these turbulent artificial intelligence times for you to base your strategic and storytelling steps on. Preferably before bubbles burst. Fasten your seat belts...   Oh, the existential questions... (image credit Futurama) Insight 1 — Growth Is Not Exponential The promise of artificial intelligence is that it will unleash an expone

In storytelling we explore the challenges, frictions and conflicts that life throws at us, trying to learn its lessons so we better ourselves. In that space, comedy has the biggest role to play of all, talking truth to power and creating a safe space for us to ridicule our most horrid demons, cutting them down to size and laughing at them, so they don't consume us. In short, comedy is catharsis. And it is the great equalizer of humanity we now need more than ever. Let's expl

Those who squint their eyes can see that within America, the tone is shifting from left-right to up versus down. A turning point is visible in media signals and language, while tentatively the word revolution is appearing, all in the context of an economic storm building. So, today I give you an outsider perspective on the narrative shift that could change everything from within the USA itself, as signs of an uprising grow. Even South Park (image credited) is weighing in with

As a story, populism is a simple one. It promises that all the complexities of life can be evaded by simple, straightforward talking leaders. The type of strong leader that 'gets things done'. It's easy to see its appeal. Yet looking at the graveyard of failed ideological politics in our times, even populism has now added its tombstone. So today, mostly from a storytelling point of view , we'll discuss how and why populism has failed. And then we'll paint a picture for humani

Now that Europe can no longer lean on its big American brother, the spotlights have put it into full view. While the first reactions to the new world order from European leaders have been surprisingly positive, there is still a lot that needs to be fixed when it comes to the story of democracy in Europe. Here goes... Credits: TheMetaPicture.com Before we start We have highlighted a similar story for the US in this blogpost addressing the particulars of why America is now not

Now that America's society is getting hit, here's an outsider's view on what steps Americans need to take to finally become a true democracy again. Today, we're rewriting the story for America, just to inspire you to make it better. Buckle up for a wild ride. Here goes... A step before we walk... Super quick word before we begin. Forgive me if and when I point out things you may already know as an American. A European like me is also learning as I go, most of all from my many

By Maggie Maris – Author My Journal & Rogier van Kralingen  – Writer The Whole Story   Every year around Christmas, we basically fall into two categories: those who love it and those who don’t. The misunderstanding is huge between those who cheerfully sing Christmas carols and those sitting dejected at the dinner table. At some point someone will say: " Christmas is fun, right? Why aren't you more cheerful?" and the mood will sour quickly after that. So, this Christmas stor

Compelling. That's what it all comes down to, building compelling narrative in storytelling. So, today we'll dive into the big 'Why' of storytelling, then quickly move to the fundamentals of narratives, following it up with inspiring practices, and finish it all with an artistic sheen. Without further delay, here we go... Storytelling Book Good storytelling is - and will always be - in demand The very first thing you need to know about storytelling - and that even the best s

In Stranger Things we follow a tight knit group of youngsters in the '80's who encounter things that are not of this world. Still having flexible minds, they are the only ones able to get to the bottom of the frightening mysteries, and they do so with flair plus a whole lot of funny bickering. I cannot begin to describe how well executed this series is. So, let's break it down storytelling-style. We'll skip the usual suspects like embracing friction and building a journey ,

Sometimes you can't seem to start, or you are stuck, you run into a writer's block or something else is in the way of your storytelling or you as the storyteller. No worries, we've got your back. For your convenience we'll release two checklists - one for Branding, Product, Service, Organization, Cultural & Corporate Storytelling and this article on Art, Fiction, Character, Film, Novel, Literature & Poetry Storytelling as the second. Just go through the tips and tricks, and

The Socrates Method is the practice where you keep asking questions until there are no more questions to be asked and everything you need to know about a subject has come to light. The premise is that the answer is already there, it already exists... you just have to keep asking the right questions until it appears. And it's that method that we'll use to kick start your storytelling. For your convenience we'll release two checklists - this one on Branding, Organization, Cult

On October 6th 2008, from a landline at the Waldorf Estoria hotel in New York, my dad phoned me up and said: "I don't know how long they will keep this line open, so if I get disconnected, know that your mom and I are okay. But there is total panic here. Cell phones are dead, televisions are on... the market has crashed. Biggest downturn ever. So listen to me carefully, here's what we are going to do... we're going to write a smart, short book called Recession Marketing, and

For years now, a debate has been raging about purpose-driven thinking. This concept of 'purpose' for companies seems well-intentioned and successful. However, the word "purpose" is also often used to sell hot air. So today we look at purpose-driven branding and marketing through the lens of the storytelling: is it an effective story? Under what circumstances can it be trusted? We'll get right to the gist of it all: the greatest gap is between 'saying' and 'doing'. To find out

Just like there is a consensus why Super Mario World tops most the lists of the best video game that has ever been made, and we agree on the brilliance of the holy trinity A Space Odyssey, Apocalypse Now and The Shawshank Redemption, we also know collectively there is one action movie that tops them all: Die Hard. They may not be your personal favorites. Maybe not even make it to your own top ten. But we kinda agree that on average, these works of art are the best in their ki

Apparently, America is now a kingdom. How did it get here? I offer Americans an outsider view  from those who’ve lived under kings. The honest kind that might hurt. And it’s all about the story you tell yourself. How did we get here? Even now that the dust has settled, to those who have actually read it , The Supreme Court immunity decision is still beyond shocking . Or is it? Many people across the world have recognized for some time now that America does not have true separ

Creative endeavors are extraordinary hard to do. So, sometimes, us creatives and artists get blocked. We call it 'Writer's Block' but it can be applied to all arts, from visual to music to writing, film-making, photography... the lot. Whatever the art or creative profession, the story is simple. We get stuck, we get blocked. So, how do we become unstuck? The answer is: getting our lives in order. In other words, writer's block has nothing to do with your art. But everything w

The power of the mind is truly phenomenal. And one of the most powerful things to do with this power, is to visualize outcomes before they are there. Athletes do it, just before they need to perform, and win because of it. Actors do it just before they step on stage, and nail their performance due to it. People in burnout and depression do it, and find themselves healing quicker. And you too, can use visualization to get an incredible creative project or story out there. Like

Today, a simple post with a series of very important definitions and descriptions related to storytelling, as follow up to The Nine Very Best Quotes on Storytelling , and their deeper meaning. All descriptions below are an excerpt of The Whole Story - The Ultimate Guide to Storytelling , and are my own definitions based on storytelling theory and my own experience in crafting stories. The wordings are meant for all types of story, including novels, documentaries, film and gen

Sound is invisible. Yet, it exists. Love is the same. You can't grab it. Yet, that feelings is very much there. And the universal energy you need to tap into for your creative work is invisible too. Yet that too, exists. Today, let's make that energy more real and discuss how to tap into it better. Flow... here we come! Tapping into Universal Creative Energy When we talk about inspiration 'hitting us' or use words like 'the muse' or 'creative energy', it always feels very in

In 2012 I was supposed to run the mother of all marathons: New York. It was on the top of my bucket list and it felt like something I had to do to prove myself. You can imagine what such an endeavor means. A marathon… the months of injury-prone training, special diets and a bill of over 5000 bucks are but a few things you need to endure. Yet, I endured them. And finally, in November that year I arrived in The Big Apple to run the run of all runs. Then hell froze over. You