Unlocking the Power of Belief: How Stories Shape Our Reality and Future
Photo by Frank Mckenna
In the heart of Nashville, Tennessee, lived Peter Londe, a retired shoe salesman, a man whose life took a dramatic turn in 1974 when he was diagnosed with oesophageal cancer—a verdict that, in the 1970s, was tantamount to a death sentence.
Londe's treatment was overseen by physician Dr. Clifton Meador. Yet when Londe died, it was not from the cancer that was believed to ravage his body but from a belief in a diagnosis that was, in fact, incorrect. An autopsy revealed Londe did not actually have oesophageal cancer. There were a few cancer cells in his body but none in the oesophagus and nowhere near enough to kill him.
This story is not isolated. The number four, or "Si," in Chinese culture, harbours an omen misfortune, its phonetic resemblance to the word for death casts a long shadow over the lives of Asian communities worldwide. Research by the University of California, San Diego, into the mortality rates of Chinese Americans versus white Americans between 1973 and 1998, unveiled a staggering 27 percent increase in deaths from heart disease on the fourth day of the month among those of Asian descent, a pattern absent in their white counterparts.
“The characters in fiction are just wiggles of ink on paper. They are ink people. They live in ink houses inside ink towns. They work in ink jobs. That have inky problems. They sweat with ink and cry ink, and when they are cut, they bleed ink. And yet ink people pass effortlessly through the porous membrane separating their inky world with ours. They move through our flesh-and-blood world and wield power in it… They shape our behaviours and our customs and in so doing, they transform society and histories.”
Jonathan Gottschall captures the phenomenon so eloquently when he discusses the power of stories to transcend the boundary between the inked page and our tangible reality. Stories, he suggests, are not mere figments of imagination but are potent forces that shape behaviours, customs, and, ultimately, the course of history itself. Peter Londe's story is a testament to this, a vivid illustration of how belief can dictate the boundary between life and death.
At the core of human civilisation lies story. It is the bedrock upon which societies are built and the lens through which we interpret our existence. Stories are the lifeblood of culture, imbuing societies with values, norms, and identities. They dictate the rise and fall of leaders, the success of change, and even the discovery of medical breakthroughs. Yet, the power of story is a double-edged sword, capable of both inspiring monumental achievements and precipitating profound tragedies.
In this complex tapestry of narrative and belief, two roles emerge the storytellers and the truth-seekers. While storytellers weave the fabric of our collective reality, truth-seekers ensure the integrity and evolution of our shared narratives. Their mission is not to dismantle the stories that define us but to fortify their foundations, enabling our beliefs and actions to adapt and thrive over time. In a world where the appeal of a good story often overshadows the quest for truth, the balance between these roles is paramount.
As we navigate the intricate play of narrative, belief, and reality, we must ask ourselves: Are we the architects of stories that uplift and enlighten, or are the guardians of truth, ensuring the stories we tell and live by withstand the test of time?
In the world of organisations, change and uncertainty, the need for both storytellers and truth-seekers has never been more critical. They are the yin and yang of human progress, the dual forces that shape our world and our place within it.
So are you a storyteller, weaving narratives that captivate and inspire?
Or are you a truth-seeker, dedicated to the pursuit of authenticity and understanding?
