Monday, May 21, 2012

The Power of Story- Ken Burns

An interview in The Atlantic with Ken Burns on the power of story. Also included is a short five minute video. Here.



Much to ponder here. Especially Goddard's quote, "Cinema is truth 24 frames per second, but every edit is a lie." Burns confesses that film is manipulative, either in a good way or a harmful way. It addresses the human condition, and good stories (what I gather him saying), move people not just to be entertained, but to do something. 

Burns went on to describe the story of Jackie Robinson in his series on Baseball. When a racist in 1942 was confronted with Robinson's playing baseball for Brooklyn, they were forced to either give up baseball, switch loyalty to another team, or to embrace an African-American playing for their favorite team. Such is the power of story.


Implications for pastors, like me, who get the opportunity to share God's Story every week?