What do storytelling and war have in common?
Well most would say nothing … but it seems that the United States Defence Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), the military’s key research division, disagrees.
Having long been at the forefront of cutting edge scientific research and endeavours, DARPA has had a hand in many secret projects, including what we now fondly call the Internet, as well as our now third hand, the computer mouse.
Without doubt, whatever DARPA works on eventually finds a way to embed itself in everyday society. Think radar, sonar, and the four-wheel drive – all were pioneered by DARPA research. Now Lasik eye surgery is being used by athletes to get better than 20/20 vision- superman anyone?
And anyone who’s watched the film, The Men Who Stare at Goats, will know of their infamous work on building psychic powers in soldiers.
But storytelling?
Yes, it seems they have turned their eye to a series of studies on the neuroscientific implications of human narratives, which began in February this year.
What the?
DARPA says a discussion of narrative psychology will lead to a “better understanding of the thoughts and feelings of others.”
It’s still not ringing true to my ears. I personally cannot see soldiers reading bedtime stories in hostile situations, to calm the insurgents and situation.
So perhaps there is another reason the Pentagon may want to spend time on such a project.
Human enhancement is a relatively new interest for DARPA, but some of their comments and work over the last decade has led to DARPA being accused of creating ‘Frankenstein soldiers’.
It seems they are interested in the ‘human terrain’ of the battlefields and its surrounds. The idea is the better you understand the population, the easier it is the sway them to your side – and win the war.
In similar, related studies DARPA have been working on self guiding, storytelling cameras, as well as reaching the Afghan people with storytelling, mimes and the Wizard of Oz.
The Army is heavily investing in building ‘cultural counsellors’ to get into the minds of the locals in Iraq and Afghanistan.
OK. And the storytelling? An important aspect of the workshop is the well-known power of narratives and emotions. Translation: how listening to a narrative can impact emotions like empathy, sympathy or outrage and disgust, leading to impulsive reactions. Basically, can security threats be understood and prevented by better comprehending a local culture?
I’ll never look at reading a bedtime story to my kids the same way again.
How disturbed are you by this idea? Leave your comments.
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Secret storytelling weapon that DARPA starts to spin
Well most would say nothing … but it seems that the United States Defence Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), the military’s key research division, disagrees.
Having long been at the forefront of cutting edge scientific research and endeavours, DARPA has had a hand in many secret projects, including what we now fondly call the Internet, as well as our now third hand, the computer mouse.
Without doubt, whatever DARPA works on eventually finds a way to embed itself in everyday society. Think radar, sonar, and the four-wheel drive – all were pioneered by DARPA research. Now Lasik eye surgery is being used by athletes to get better than 20/20 vision- superman anyone?
And anyone who’s watched the film, The Men Who Stare at Goats, will know of their infamous work on building psychic powers in soldiers.
But storytelling?
Yes, it seems they have turned their eye to a series of studies on the neuroscientific implications of human narratives, which began in February this year.
What the?
DARPA says a discussion of narrative psychology will lead to a “better understanding of the thoughts and feelings of others.”
It’s still not ringing true to my ears. I personally cannot see soldiers reading bedtime stories in hostile situations, to calm the insurgents and situation.
So perhaps there is another reason the Pentagon may want to spend time on such a project.
Human enhancement is a relatively new interest for DARPA, but some of their comments and work over the last decade has led to DARPA being accused of creating ‘Frankenstein soldiers’.
It seems they are interested in the ‘human terrain’ of the battlefields and its surrounds. The idea is the better you understand the population, the easier it is the sway them to your side – and win the war.
In similar, related studies DARPA have been working on self guiding, storytelling cameras, as well as reaching the Afghan people with storytelling, mimes and the Wizard of Oz.
The Army is heavily investing in building ‘cultural counsellors’ to get into the minds of the locals in Iraq and Afghanistan.
OK. And the storytelling? An important aspect of the workshop is the well-known power of narratives and emotions. Translation: how listening to a narrative can impact emotions like empathy, sympathy or outrage and disgust, leading to impulsive reactions. Basically, can security threats be understood and prevented by better comprehending a local culture?
I’ll never look at reading a bedtime story to my kids the same way again.
How disturbed are you by this idea? Leave your comments.
If you enjoyed this post, you can get the Word Swords blog content sent straight to your email inbox for FREE.
We promise never to share, trade, sell or market your email address in any way.
Subscribe now.
IT’S THAT EASY.
Photo via stock.xchng user steved_np3
Related scribblings: