In this brief reflection on life, I discuss the power of storytelling and the human touch in content creation, reminding us that good content always has a story behind it.

Lasting entertainment is found only in the charged human truths beneath the image.

Robert McKee

I’m reading a book I first read almost 20 years ago… Story, by Robert McKee. It’s a book about screenwriting, but it contains universal truths about the power of storytelling.

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There’s a lot of talk these days about Artificial Intelligence (AI). I’ve even been experimenting with it myself. It’s fun. It can be a useful tool for productivity. But it can’t replace a human.

There is going to be a lot of noise in the coming years with “content creation” as people adopt AI. People will forget that what always makes content engaging is a good story. And a good story, well-told, has to have a human touch. It’s an expression, deep from the heart, that captivates us, and keeps us coming back to films, plays, poems, and novels… over, and over, and over.

There will be people in the coming years who will try to sell you on the idea that any content is good content. Don’t believe it. Whether it’s content on social media that gives you a glimpse into someone’s life, or it’s a feature film… Good content will always have a story behind it. Always.

And the best stories come from the heart. The human heart. From a human writer.

As I’ve been working on my podcast I’ve been rediscovering the power of storytelling. I still love it after 20 years of telling stories. And I’m challenging myself to dream again about what other stories I’d like to tell in my life.

And for me, that’s something I discover when I shut off the noise, listen to my heart, and embrace the power of a good story, well-told.