Look Who it Was Random video

Made to be made by story: Jonathan Gottschall at TEDxUMD

2,058 views · Published 5 July 2014 · 17:01 · Indexed 19 October 2026

Channel: TEDx Talks · 2014 · Nonprofits & Activism

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Jonathan Gottschall is an author and Distinguished Research Fellow in the English Department at Washington & Jefferson College. In this funny and insightful talk, he argues that fiction's power comes not from its ability to allow people to indulge in escapist fantasies but rather its ability to allow people to immerse themselves in yet-unfaced realities. Mr. Gottschall invites his audience to delve deeper into the world of fiction and discover how it shapes us as humans.

In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)

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