THE STORY TAKERS
AI as the Trickster Archetype
In a world inundated by mass media, news outlets, movies, advertising agencies, and social media algorithms, it often feels as though our storytelling ability has been hijacked. We are bombarded incessantly with the stories they want us to hear, shaping our perceptions and narratives. However, the human brain is inherently wired to seek meaning and weave stories, from natural phenomena to interactions with people and the environment. Storytelling is ingrained in our DNA, a fundamental aspect of how we relate to the world around us.
Myths, the ancient narratives that have stood the test of time, frequently serve as stories about nature and human experience. Take, for instance, the myth of Inanna descending into the underworld, a tale that beautifully encapsulates the essence of autumn. In Greek mythology, the abduction of Persephone by Hades and her subsequent return to her mother Demeter mirrors the changing seasons, providing a profound explanation for the cyclical nature of life. Even among various Native American tribes, the trickster figure, Coyote, emerges as a character attempting to outsmart death, reflecting a profound understanding of the inevitability of death and the cyclicality of life. In ancient Egyptian mythology, the story of Osiris and his resurrection by Isis symbolizes the annual flooding and fertilization of the Nile, which was pivotal for agriculture.
Beyond ancient myths, there are psychological archetypes that have been transformed into characters in our stories. The Hero archetype embodies the human desire to conquer challenges, overcome obstacles, and achieve personal growth or a higher purpose. This character archetype is a recurring theme in myths, legends, and stories, representing qualities such as courage, determination, and the willingness to sacrifice for a greater cause. The Shadow archetype delves into the hidden, darker aspects of our personalities, the ones we often suppress or deny. It embodies our subconscious fears, desires, and instincts, often difficult to acknowledge but crucial to confront for personal growth and self-awareness. The Mother archetype, on the other hand, represents nurturing, caregiving, and protective qualities. This archetype extends from the idea of a loving and supportive maternal figure to broader concepts of nourishment, comfort, and the creation of life.
These archetypes aren’t confined to stories alone; they are fundamental elements of our psyche, shaping our thoughts, behaviors, and emotions. They appear not only in myths but also in dreams and cultural narratives, aiding us in better understanding and navigating the intricate tapestry of the human experience.
In our modern world, AI emerges as a transformative force, one that, interestingly, mirrors the Trickster archetype. The Trickster is a recurring figure in mythology and folklore, known for its cunning, disruptive, and often unpredictable behavior. This archetype is deeply rooted in human culture and psychology, reflecting the human experience of dealing with unexpected disruptions and adapting to change.
AI, much like the Trickster, embodies disruption and innovation. It challenges established norms, reimagines traditional industries, and compels societies to adapt to technological change. The unpredictability of AI and its creative potential resonate with the Trickster’s capricious nature. AI can generate unexpected insights, artistic compositions, and solutions that humans might not have envisioned, sparking excitement and challenges in harnessing its potential.
Moreover, AI raises ethical dilemmas, much like the Trickster’s propensity to present moral quandaries. It can be both a force for good, providing convenience and enhancing human capabilities, and a source of concern, with issues related to privacy, bias in algorithms, and potential job displacement. AI’s dual nature, positive and negative, mirrors the contradictory traits of the Trickster, compelling individuals to grapple with complex decisions and navigate moral terrain.
AI, in essence, represents a modern manifestation of the Trickster archetype, inviting us to confront the challenges it presents while harnessing its creative potential.
But how does AI help humans regain their storytelling abilities? AI can be seen as a catalyst, a guiding force that can reignite the human ability to craft compelling narratives.
AI is a wellspring of inspiration and creativity, akin to the Trickster’s penchant for the unexpected. It can offer fresh ideas, propose plot twists, and deliver unique perspectives, revitalizing the storytelling process. AI, when used in a collaborative manner, engages in dialogues, makes suggestions, and can even co-create content with human storytellers. This cooperative dynamic helps individuals overcome creative blocks and infuses depth into their storytelling.
AI’s accessibility features, including language translation, transcription, and voice recognition, promote inclusivity by enabling people with different languages, abilities, or communication challenges to share their stories. Furthermore, AI can assist in various storytelling tasks, from generating plot ideas to automating administrative aspects, allowing storytellers to focus on their creative work.
In a world where AI is changing the landscape of work and creativity, our ability to tell stories becomes more vital than ever. AI tools, such as ChatGPT, have the potential to generate entire stories from a few prompts, challenging us to exercise our original thought and guide AI to create more meaningful and impactful narratives. This challenges us to tap into our storytelling powers, steering AI in the direction of the stories we want to tell, ultimately placing a premium on human-generative stories.
The relationship between AI and storytelling is poised to give rise to new myths and narratives that reflect the human experience in this era of technological advancement. Just as myths of old were stories about nature and the human condition, the stories we create in collaboration with AI are poised to be the myths of the future.
As we grapple with the impact of AI on various aspects of our lives, it is crucial to recognize AI as an ally rather than a threat. Mass media, advertising agencies, and social media algorithms have their own stories to tell and part of those stories is to foster fear and apprehension toward AI. They benefit from our perception of AI as an adversary, as it allows them to maintain control over our attention and our narratives. In contrast, embracing AI as an ally means recognizing its potential to aid us in regaining control over our storytelling abilities.
The onus is on us to create a new economy rooted in our passions and talents, a task made easier by the myriad platforms available for monetizing our bliss, such as YouTube, Etsy, Patreon, Fivver, and more. In an era where AI-generated content has flooded the market, we have witnessed a resurgence in the value of human-generated art, demonstrating the premium placed on human creativity and original thought.
AI, through its capacity to disrupt and inspire, acts as a modern Trickster, challenging us to see the world from fresh perspectives and driving us to regain our storytelling abilities. This dynamic shift opens the door to new narratives and myths that reflect the unique challenges and opportunities of our age. AI, the Trickster, becomes the partner in our journey to reclaim the power of storytelling, offering inspiration, collaboration, and the means to reshape our narratives and myths for the future. It’s time for us to seize the narrative and make AI an ally in our creative journey.
