A Note on Narrative

"Narrative" is a word you hear a lot in politics, framing the narrative, controlling the narrative, changing the narrative, and so on. There was an interesting quote on narrative in the May 24 New Yorker, "What did Jesus do?" by Adam Gopnik.

Certain kinds of truths are convincing only in a narrative. The idea, for instance, that the ring of power should be given to two undersized amateurs to throw into a volcano at the very center of the enemy's camp makes sound and sober sense, of a kind, in Tolkien; but you would never expect to find it as a premise at the Middle Earth Military Academy.

I have an old old Star Fleet Academy Athletic Department shirt. But that would be nothing compared to a Middle Earth Military Academy shirt. If anyone knows where to get one, please let me know.

In any event, I thought it was an interesting quote on narrative and definitely something to remember when reviewing candidate statements.