-
What is transmedia storytelling?
Transmedia storytelling, also called multiplatform or enhanced storytelling, is characterized by the use of multiple media platforms—video games, graphic novels, music videos, mobile apps and so on—to tell a story across time in an expansive rather than repetitive way. In 2007, Henry Jenkins wrote: “Transmedia storytelling represents a process where integral elements of a fiction get dispersed systematically across multiple delivery channels for the purpose of creating a unified and coordinated entertainment experience. Ideally, each medium makes its own unique contribution to the unfolding of the story.” In other words, in transmedia storytelling each element serves as a piece of a giant puzzle, thus contributing to the narrative while at…
-
What is narrative?
“Narrative” is a framework used to tell a story by connecting a series of events. Randy Olson offers a more compelling definition—narrative is the series of events that occur in the search of solutions to a problem. However, in these posts we’re talking science communication. So we can say that “narrative” is one of the buzzwords currently used by science communicators—but it’s a buzzword because its importance has been highlighted only during the past few years, so it’s used over and over again. The use of this buzzword has been useful, though. Now, everyone recognizes its power—we all know that a convincing narrative is needed to win over an audience.…
-
Tempus and Hora
The story of Tempus and Hora has been told here and there in different contexts, for example to illustrate the value of planning for interruptions, or to explain that dynamic but stable systems are arranged in nearly decomposable hierarchies. It has also been used to highlight the concept of scientific reductionism—in other words, the reduction of complex phenomena into their most basic parts. Herbert Simon—who was awarded the 1978 Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences for his pioneering research into the decision-making process within economic organizations—liked to tell the story of Tempus and Hora. Indeed, the story appears in his landmark book “The sciences of the artificial.” It goes more or…
-
The best speakers are those who give
Shift your perspective (or your mindset)—you’re there, in front of your audience, to give. Even better, you’re there to give, and you don’t want anything back. Forget your “take” mindset. Audiences respond differently to “takers” and “givers.” Why are you presenting your research? To show how much you have accomplished, or to help your fellow scientists succeed in their own research? To show your results to “advance the field”, or to advance others? To add to the list of your presentations, or to empower those in your audience so they can build their own list? To toot your own horn, or to help others shine? Once you’re clear about your…
-
Understanding your current mindset is key to meaningful communication
Your unique mindset interacts with others’ mindsets to forge a communication bubble—it’s up to you to make the bubble pop or to make it bounce for the entire time you need it. Do you know how? First of all, you need to be aware of your mindset and be able to describe it. Mindsets, which are made-up by the constellation of your values and beliefs, shift and change over time, so it essential to keep track of these shifts and changes. You should attempt to understand others’ mindsets only when you feel you have a good understanding of your own. So, when does the bubble pop? Let me give you…
-
Using storyboards for science and medicine storytelling
“Whether we wear a lab coat or haven’t seen a test tube since grade school, science is shaping all of our lives. And that means we all have science stories to tell.” — The Story Collider You can tell stories on the impact that science has in your life, and you can tell stories about the research you’re doing or the medical treatments you’re implementing. You can tell many different stories intertwined with each other. Through these stories, you can connect to your audience. But what is your motivation for telling stories? What is your motivation to connect to people? Is it to help people or to market yourself? Is…