Entry #4. Evolution of Storytelling

Evolution of Storytelling

For all of human history, storytelling has been perhaps the most enjoyed pass time among society (aside from physical intimacy of course). Storytelling is one of the few activities we still do that largely resembles the same activity that primitive humans engaged in. It may not look exactly like how it did back then, but that is because of our desire to create engaging stories has allowed us to reinvent storytelling time and time again. 

Cavemen of course began the art of storytelling before any of civilization was created. Cave paintings have shown us that these primitive tribes would all gather to enjoy a story told to them, oftentimes passed down from generation to generation. Not much is known about these though, as the written word was not yet invented and therefore no documentation exists. Not long after the birth of civilization and societies came the art of theater. Stories were told through a play, where multiple people pretended to be part of the story instead of the narrator role that traditional storytelling had. The ancient Greeks and Romans had stories of fictional beings who had fantastical powers and existed in magical worlds, stories were not being limited to what was considered possible. 

Written word has had perhaps the greatest influence on storytelling however, as it changed what storytelling could be. Books brought with it an advantage of letting this kind of entertainment be a solo experience. People did not have to attend an event like a play to feel the magic of storytelling, it could be done alone at any time. Books also preserved the stories that it told, greater than a play script could. But despite the advantages, books did not have the audio that plays and traditional
storytelling had, and usually did not have the visuals that make storytelling more engaging. Books became a milestone in human achievement however, being used for hundreds of years. 

The 20th century has brought more progress in every aspect of human life than any time period prior to it, so naturally the art of storytelling would once again be reinvented. The motion picture combined the audio/visual engagement of theater with the accessibility books, creating the perfect marriage for a new entertainment medium. Stories have never felt so real when filmmakers are able to replicate the exact vision they have for their story without the clunky restrictions of a theater stage. The viewer could now experience the story as if it were happening before their very eyes. More fantastical stories becoming more convincing as the film industry innovates. Even recently some video games could be classified as the next evolution from film. They are storytellers where the audience becomes a part of the story, something that few mediums could say they achieved. 

What I find amazing about all these things however is how they all still have an impact in our modern society today. Films are now as anticipated as national holidays, more books are being printed now than ever, theater is still a respectable art form and even simple oral storytelling can be found in things such as vlogs.