The human brain is wired for story, capable of constructing narratives even from the most rudimentary stimuli. That’s the central argument of technologist Kevin Ashton’s modern book, The Story of Stories, which traces the history of storytelling from prehistoric campfires to the modern smartphone.
Ashton, who co-founded the Auto-ID Center at MIT – a research group instrumental in developing RFID technology and credited with coining the term “the Internet of Things” – argues that storytelling isn’t merely a cultural pastime, but a fundamental human drive. The book, published by Harper, explores how the technologies used to transmit stories have shaped not only the narratives themselves, but similarly human society.
The book opens with a scene of early humans gathered around a fire. “In the warmth and security of their flames, they communicated about events remembered and imagined, from places and times near and far. Or, they started telling stories,” Ashton writes. This primal act of sharing experiences, he contends, laid the groundwork for all subsequent forms of communication and cultural development.
Ashton’s historical survey ranges widely, from the advent of writing and the printing press to the rise of electricity and the digital revolution. He highlights the often-unexpected origins of commonplace materials, noting that 19th-century paper production in the United States relied on rags – some sourced from ancient Egyptian mummies – and the unpleasant odor that accompanied the process. “Paper mills did not always admit that their ‘Egyptian rags’ had once wrapped mummies, perhaps for fear of upsetting a delicate public,” he writes.
While the book’s narrative can sometimes perceive fragmented, jumping between anecdotes and historical details, Ashton ultimately connects these threads to the present day. He argues that the proliferation of storytelling in the digital age – fueled by social media and the ease of content creation – has created both unprecedented opportunities and significant challenges.
Ashton points to the spread of misinformation during the COVID-19 pandemic as a stark example of the dangers of unchecked narratives. He details how false claims about the virus and vaccines circulated widely online, contributing to vaccine hesitancy and preventable deaths. He also warns of the potential for manipulation through increasingly sophisticated forms of artificial intelligence, which can now generate realistic fake images, videos, and audio.
“Will powerful people ‘rewind time to say things they did not say, and to unsay things they did?’” Ashton asks, suggesting that the ability to fabricate reality poses a profound threat to truth and trust. He contends that digital platforms are not simply reflecting reality, but actively shaping it.
Ashton’s proposed solution is not to suppress storytelling, but to cultivate critical thinking skills. He emphasizes the importance of vigilance, doubt, and humility in navigating a world saturated with information. He suggests that recognizing the inherent gullibility of the human mind is the first step toward discerning truth from falsehood.
Despite the potential for misuse, Ashton remains optimistic about the power of storytelling. He believes that the sheer volume of narratives being created today – representing the “heterogeneous beauty and glory of all humanity” – offers a counterweight to the forces of division and manipulation.
