Every great achievement comes down to two things.
Want to change the world? Start with a story and a tribe.
The lives that we have built, the interactions we have with other human beings, every single advancement we’ve made, every life saved, every glorious moment — we owe them all to two inventions:
Communities and stories.
Without communities, we don’t have the ability to combine our resources, abilities, and efforts. Without communities, we are destined to fail at many of our endeavours simply because great things cannot be done alone.
When we visited the moon, it was the work of a community.
When we eventually cure cancer — and I firmly believe that we will — it will be through the work of a community.
When Fugazi released their music and jumped in the van, they were supported by a community.
It’s been this way for thousands of years, ever since we first realised that we were warmer, safer, stronger, and bolder (and more likely to survive) together rather than apart.
Stories are the foundations of strong communities.
The stories we tell are what bind people together. The stories that we tell, that we are a part of and that we identify with are hugely influential. Every war in history has been fought by stories as much as by weapons, and so has every great movement for peace.
Stories are how we’ve passed down our knowledge through the ages, from year to year, discovery to discovery. Every family has stories that give them their identity, just as every street, suburb, city, state, and country does.
All technology needs to be wielded carefully.
All technology needs to be questioned, understood, and considered before it’s applied. The same goes for the communities we form and the stories we spread, tell, and create. Their impact is massive and incredible, and it can — and will — shape our world.
When authoritarians want to keep people down, they control the communities they form and the stories they tell. They know that if the right people in the right communities tell the right stories , their power will end.
It’s exciting to consider that by forming tribes, communities, and groups and through sharing our stories, we can effect change and progress. We should embrace this concept.
I am an optimist. I observe the communities around me, listen to their stories, and despite the prevailing difficulties, pain, and agony, I see hope.
Hope that stems from the immense strength I witness.
Hope that is fuelled by the resilience of humans and the power of the myths, legends, and narratives they weave.
I am convinced that we can overcome anything through our combined efforts, the communities we form, and the ideas we share.
It is through communities that we find solace, comfort, and strength. The stories we share within them are a binding force and a guiding light, shining on the only safe path during times of uncertainty. They give us a sense of identity and belonging. They help us understand our place in the world and how we can contribute to its betterment.
The world can be frightening.
The 24/7 news cycle can be devastating.
There are brutal challenges and obstacles that look impossible to climb.
That makes it more vital than ever for us to incubate and nurture the right communities, to learn from one another, and to work together.
We have the capacity to create a world that is not only better for us, but for future generations as well.
Remember — our stories define who we were, who we are and who we will be. They shape our communities and our world.
