Tokyo and tech through the eyes of a split pea

Robert McKee

The June issue of HBR (yes, I’m a bit behind) has an interesting interview with Robert McKee, (in?)famous storytelling coach. If you’ve seen Adaptation, you may remember his role in the movie. I have never met McKee, but I found his portrayal in Adaption rather amusing — an agressive and antagonistic character, though the movie may very well have exaggerated this (granted the softside expressed in his last scene). The HBR interview also seems to show a dark, pessimistic personality, but I may just be reading into it too much. At any rate, I found this quote thoughtful:

The great irony of existence is that what makes life worth living does not come from the rosy side. We would all rather be lotus-eaters, but life will not allow it. The energy to live comes from the dark side. It comes from everything that makes us suffer. As we struggle against these negative powers, we’re forced to live more deeply, more fully.

Then a little later:

One of the principles of good storytelling is the understanding that we all live in dread. Fear is when you don’t know what’s going to happen. Dread is when you know what’s going to happen and there’s nothing you can do to stop it….We get rid of [this dread] by inflicting it on other people through sarcasm, cheating, abuse, indifference…We all commit those little evils that relieve the pressure and make us feel better. Then we rationalize our bad behavior and convince ourselves we’re good people…The imperative in nature is to follow the golden rule of survival: Do unto others what they do unto you. In nature, if you offer cooperation and get cooperation back, you get along. But if you offer cooperation and get antagonism back, then you give antagonism in return – in spades.

Most of the interview isn’t actually that negative. McKee has some good pointers for aspiring leaders on how to emotionally guide a group through tough times with inspiring storytelling. In the end though, it’s the ones who have lived who have a story to tell. The question is, how much of the story should you propel?

Go here if you want to purchase the article. Or even better, support your local library!