Latest news with #narratives
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Science
- Yahoo
Mathematical ‘random tree model' reveals how we store and recall narratives
A team from the Institute for Advanced Study, Emory University in the US, and the Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel, has developed a new mathematical framework to understand how humans store meaningful narratives in memory. Their approach uses random trees, mathematical objects that can represent branching structures, to model the way people remember stories. The study's lead authors point out that their the goal was to create a rigorous theory of human memory for complex material stories. Published in the journal Physical Review Letters, the research combines concepts from mathematics, computer science, and physics to explore how events and details in narratives are connected in the mind. While many scientists believe narratives are too complex for a unified mathematical theory, the latest study shows otherwise. According to senior author Misha Tsodyks, despite the complexity of stories, there are statistical patterns in how people recall them, which can be predicted using a few simple underlying principles. "We introduce a statistical ensemble of random trees to represent narratives as hierarchies of key points, where each node is a compressed representation of its descendant leaves, which are the original narrative segments," the researchers note in the abstract. Tsodyks and his team tested their random tree memory model by conducting online recall experiments with over 100 participants recruited through Amazon and Prolific. The team used 11 narratives of different lengths, from 20 to 200 sentences, originally compiled by American linguist William Labov. Participants were asked to recall these stories, and the researchers analyzed their responses to see if their theory held true. Following this, the team used spoken narratives recorded by Labov in the 1960s and analyzed the large amount of data by relying on modern tools like AI and large language models. The researchers found that people often summarize entire episodes of a story into single sentences, leading to the conclusion that narratives are stored in memory as tree structures. In this model, nodes closer to the root represent broader summaries, while more detailed events branch out further away. The study authors believe that when someone first hears or reads a story and understands it, their brain constructs a tree-like structure to represent the narrative. Since people interpret stories differently, each person's memory tree has a unique structure. To test the idea, Tsodyks and his team created a model based on ensembles of random trees with specific structures. What they found was that this model could be solved mathematically and its predictions matched experimental data, with the main insight being that all meaningful material, like narratives, may be represented in memory in a similar tree-like way. The researchers now believe their findings have broader implications for understanding human cognition, since narratives are a common way people make sense of their personal experiences as well as social and historical events. Furthermore, such discoveries also highlight the potential of combining mathematical models with AI techniques to better study how meaningful information is stored and organized in memory. You can view the study here.
Forbes
23-06-2025
- Forbes
The Contagious Stories Your Team Creates When You Don't Communicate
In the face of uncertainty, we create our own narratives. Human nature abhors a vacuum. When no one knows the answer to a question, stories rush in to fill the gap. Thirty years ago, we felt compelled to give an uncertain world the label VUCA—volatile, uncertain, complex, ambiguous. Now we talk about BANI—brittle, anxious, non-linear, incomprehensible. We see polarization, geopolitical instability, and the rise of artificial intelligence that both amazes and terrifies us. In the face of uncertainty, we create our own narratives. But as the late Professor Sigal Barsade of Wharton demonstrated, we are not "emotional islands." The stories we tell ourselves ripple outward, whether we intend it or not. Our feelings and narratives—often unreliable and false—spread like viruses through workplace networks, becoming toxic to productivity, performance, and culture. The Quiet Crisis of Story Contagion You've witnessed this phenomenon. Every AI capability announcement triggers whispered conversations about obsolescence. Every automation headline spawns new theories about who's "really" at risk. Every leadership change generates elaborate conspiracy theories about hidden agendas. These aren't isolated concerns—they're contagious fears that spread faster than any official communication. Remember "quiet quitting"? What started as individual psychological withdrawal became a viral behavior pattern as colleagues observed disengagement and adopted similar approaches. Turnover follows the same trajectory: when one respected employee leaves, research shows others become more likely to follow, creating cascading resignations that can devastate teams. The mechanism is both simple and devastating. As Barsade's research revealed, emotional contagion occurs through subconscious pathways—facial expressions, body language, tone—rather than words. Her studies found that "people do not live on emotional islands but, rather, that group members experience moods at work, these moods ripple out and, in the process, influence not only other group members' emotions but their group dynamics and individual cognitions, attitudes, and behaviors as well." Here's the kicker: negative emotions have more powerful contagion effects than positive ones. One anxious conversation doesn't stay contained—it becomes organizational reality. The Leadership Trap: When Solutions Become Problems Most leaders, sensing building anxiety, rush to provide answers—any answers—even when they don't have them. The instinct is understandable: people are worried, so offer reassurance. Problem solved, right? Dead wrong. When you offer false reassurances or half-baked solutions, people sense the disconnect immediately. Now you've created a bigger problem: they're still uncertain about the original issue, plus they've lost trust in your authenticity. The stories they create become exponentially worse: "If leadership is this disconnected, things must be catastrophic." Most uncertainty stems from forces beyond any single leader's control—market volatility, industry disruption, technological change. Pretending otherwise makes you look either delusional or dishonest. But here's what you can control: how your team processes uncertainty collectively. The Development Solution: Building Collective Containers The antidote to destructive story contagion isn't better individual communication, it's what organizational psychologist Manfred Kets de Vries calls creating "safe transitional spaces" where teams can collectively process uncertainty. In these spaces, people 'have permission to talk about issues they never had the opportunity to confront before." This approach recognizes uncertainty as a developmental opportunity rather than an information problem. When teams have structured ways to explore collective anxieties, several powerful dynamics emerge: Emotional Containment: Research on group interventions shows that psychologically safe spaces to talk about feelings and the complex aspects of work help people manage difficult emotions more effectively. Shared Recognition: A "join the human race" effect occurs when people realize they're not alone in their confusion, giving people a sense of being understood and that their feelings are validated and accepted. Enhanced Perspective: Groups develop greater insight and enhanced understanding of complex challenges and can learn to hold judgement on issues. Collective Resilience: Teams that process uncertainty together build what researchers call "stronger team feeling, a sense of cohesiveness.' The Power of Surfacing Cloud Issues When groups explore uncertainty openly, what Kets de Vries terms "cloud issues" emerge—collective anxieties like "fear of abandonment, shame, guilt, and fear of engulfment" that float unspoken through organizations. These aren't individual neuroses; they're shared concerns that, when surfaced and examined together, lose their power to generate destructive narratives. Consider the difference in impact: Individual Approach: Employees of your organization are concerned about AI replacing their roles. You thoughtfully approach your team members in one-on-ones about their individual worries. Each leaves temporarily calmer, but without a shared understanding protecting the team, the underlying anxiety in the organization infiltrates again. Group Development Approach: You create space for the team to explore AI-related concerns together. People discover shared anxieties, examine realistic scenarios, identify uniquely human capabilities and develop collective strategies. The anxiety transforms into shared understanding and proactive planning. Building Developmental Containers: The Practice Creating these developmental spaces requires more than good intentions. Research on group interventions reveals several elements: Clear Developmental Purpose: Teams need an explicit understanding that they're building collective capacity to navigate uncertainty, not solving every problem immediately. Structured Psychological Safety: This goes beyond psychological safety to actively creating conditions where people can surface anxieties everyone knows about but no one discusses. Time and Commitment: Research shows consistently that meaningful group development requires sustained engagement, not one-off sessions. Vicarious Learning Opportunities: People learn from their own experiences and from observing how others navigate similar challenges, creating exponential learning effects. From Problem-Solving to Capacity-Building While one-on-one uncertainty conversations can provide temporary relief, they don't address the systemic nature of story contagion. Here's the key insight: processing uncertainty becomes more powerful when it happens collectively. Individual reassurance creates temporary calm but doesn't build lasting organizational capacity. Group development creates what researchers call "improved learning culture" conditions that become self-reinforcing. Think about it this way: instead of playing whack-a-mole with individual anxieties, you're building your team's collective immune system against destructive narrative contagion. The Leader's Choice Leaders face a clear decision: individual damage control or collective capacity building. Organizations that will thrive in our uncertain world won't be led by people with all the answers, but by teams that have developed collective ability to navigate questions together. The investment is significant. Creating developmental containers requires time, skilled facilitation and organizational commitment to learning over quick fixes. But consider the alternative: allowing destructive stories to spread through your organization, creating compounding costs in productivity, innovation and cultural health. The stories your team creates when you don't communicate will always be worse than reality. But the stories they create together when you give them structured opportunities to process uncertainty collectively? Those stories can become the foundation for organizational resilience that no individual leader could provide alone. The choice isn't between certainty and uncertainty—it's between isolated anxiety and shared capability. Choose wisely.
Geek Girl Authority
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Geek Girl Authority
The Psychology of Chance: Exploring Probability in Sci-Fi Narratives
In the vast expanses of science fiction universes, few concepts are as simultaneously mathematical and mystical as probability. From the quantum uncertainties that drive parallel universe theories to the statistical improbabilities that heroes must overcome, chance and probability form the backbone of countless beloved sci-fi narratives. But what is it about these mathematical concepts that captivates storytellers and audiences alike? As a longtime sci-fi enthusiast who's spent countless hours analyzing the intersection of science and storytelling, I've always been fascinated by how writers use probability as both a plot device and a philosophical exploration. Sci-fi creators leverage these mathematical concepts to build tension, drive character development, and pose profound questions about fate versus randomness in ways that continue to captivate audiences across all media. The Quantum Roll of the Dice: Probability as Plot Device Science fiction has long been enamored with quantum mechanics and its strange, probabilistic nature. The quantum world, where particles exist in states of probability rather than certainty until observed, provides the perfect scientific foundation for narratives exploring chance and multiple possibilities. Notable Examples of Probability-Driven Sci-Fi Plots Science fiction has a rich history of using probability as a central narrative element. The most compelling stories don't just mention chance – they weave it into the very fabric of their universes, using probability as both scientific foundation and philosophical playground. Below, I've compiled some of the most fascinating explorations of probability across various sci-fi media, highlighting how these mathematical concepts transform from abstract theories into powerful storytelling tools. Title Probability Concept How It's Used Impact on Narrative Rick and Morty Infinite universes Creates unlimited parallel timelines Allows for exploration of every possible decision outcome Devs (TV series) Deterministic universe Probability is an illusion; everything is predetermined Creates tension between free will and fatalism Dark (Netflix) Causal determinism Past, present, and future exist simultaneously in a probability loop Explores whether characters can break predetermined paths Doctor Strange Seeing all possible futures The Time Stone allows viewing 14,000,605 possible outcomes Creates dramatic tension through astronomical odds Star Trek Heisenberg Compensators Fictional technology that manages quantum uncertainty Solves the uncertainty problem in teleportation The Three-Body Problem Computational universe Reality behaves like a simulation with probabilistic rules Examines how civilizations might respond to unreliable physics Table 1: Probability Concepts in Popular Science Fiction Works Science fiction writers have masterfully employed these concepts to create tension through improbable odds. Consider the iconic scene in Star Wars: A New Hope where C-3PO informs Han Solo that the odds of successfully navigating an asteroid field are approximately 3,720 to 1. Rather than deterring our smuggler hero, this astronomical improbability only strengthens his resolve, highlighting a uniquely human trait: our tendency to rally against statistical impossibilities. The Human Factor: Why We Misunderstand Probability One of the most fascinating aspects of probability in sci-fi is how it reflects our real-world cognitive biases about chance. Humans are notoriously poor at intuitively understanding probability, and sci-fi narratives often exploit this fact to create compelling stories. Common probability misconceptions that appear in sci-fi include: The Gambler's Fallacy: The belief that previous outcomes affect future independent events The Hot Hand Fallacy: Perceiving streaks in random sequences The Law of Small Numbers: Drawing major conclusions from minimal data points The Monte Carlo Fallacy: Believing that deviations from expected behavior will correct themselves The Base Rate Fallacy: Ignoring general statistical information when judging specific cases The Clustering Illusion: Seeing patterns in truly random distributions These cognitive biases don't just make for interesting character flaws—they reflect genuine human psychology. When a character in Battlestar Galactica insists that jumping to the same coordinates seven times in a row will eventually work despite previous failures, they're exhibiting the same gambler's fallacy that might lead someone to believe a roulette wheel is 'due' for red after several blacks. Fate vs. Randomness: The Philosophical Dimension Beyond plot mechanics, probability in science fiction often serves as a vehicle for exploring deeper philosophical questions about determinism versus free will, fate versus chance, and order versus chaos. Consider the divergent approaches in two classic sci-fi works: Isaac Asimov's Foundation series and Philip K. Dick's The Man in the High Castle . Asimov's psychohistory presents a universe where, while individual actions remain unpredictable, the collective behavior of human societies follows statistical laws that can be calculated with near certainty. This deterministic view suggests that while small-scale events may seem random, large-scale history follows inevitable patterns. In stark contrast, Dick's alternate history novel hinges on the I Ching, an ancient Chinese divination text based on probability. Characters consult the I Ching to make decisions, suggesting a universe governed by chance rather than determinism—yet the narrative itself hints at deeper patterns beneath apparent randomness. This tension between determinism and randomness resonates with audiences because it reflects our own existential questions. Are we masters of our fate or subjects to probability? When Commander Adama in Battlestar Galactica states, 'You know, sometimes I wonder if the gods just rolled the dice and decided to see what would happen,' he's voicing the same cosmic uncertainty we all sometimes feel. Games of Chance: Gambling Motifs in Sci-Fi The relationship between gambling and science fiction runs deeper than it might initially appear. Casinos, card games, and betting systems frequently appear in sci-fi narratives, serving as more than just atmospheric world-building—they become powerful metaphors for how characters understand and relate to chance. Consider the iconic casino planet Canto Bight in Star Wars: The Last Jedi , serving as a stark visual representation of how the wealthy elite attempt to control and profit from chance while remaining insulated from its negative outcomes. Or the space station casino in Cowboy Bebop where bounty hunters track targets amid the flashing lights of slot machines—a visual reminder that their profession is itself a gamble. The most compelling gambling scenes in sci-fi often highlight the tension between skill and luck. When Han Solo wins the Millennium Falcon from Lando Calrissian in a game of sabacc, the scene establishes both characters' willingness to risk everything on a single bet—a trait that defines their approaches to the larger conflicts in the story. Similarly, in Battlestar Galactica , the regular card games among the crew serve as moments of normalcy amid chaos while subtly reinforcing the show's themes about control, fate, and human decision-making under pressure. What makes these fictional gambling scenarios so compelling is how they mirror our real-world fascination with probability and chance. In both sci-fi and reality, we're drawn to the tension between mathematical odds and unpredictable outcomes. This intersection of probability theory and entertainment isn't limited to fiction—many sci-fi fans enjoy exploring similar probability systems through real-world games of chance. The rise of online casinos has made it easier than ever to experience these probability mechanics firsthand, allowing people to test theories and strategies against actual odds without leaving home. A particularly useful resource for those looking to explore these concepts is , where you can compare various casino bonuses and analyze the underlying probability systems that govern games of chance—much like the analytical approach that makes probability-centric sci-fi so fascinating. The Multiverse: When All Probabilities Play Out Perhaps no probability concept has gained more traction in modern sci-fi than the multiverse theory—the idea that every possible outcome of every decision spawns its own universe. This concept has moved from fringe physics to mainstream entertainment, appearing in works ranging from Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse to Everything Everywhere All at Once . The multiverse provides a narrative playground where writers can explore not just what happened, but what might have happened. Shows like Loki and The Flash use the multiverse to examine how slight variations in probability can lead to dramatically different outcomes, while films like Coherence use quantum uncertainty to create psychological horror from probability itself. What makes the multiverse so compelling is how it addresses our natural tendency to wonder 'what if?' When we see a character encountering their alternate selves who made different choices, we're engaging with the same psychological mechanism that makes us contemplate our own roads not taken. Digital Probability: AI and Randomness in Sci-Fi As artificial intelligence becomes increasingly prevalent in our world, sci-fi has begun exploring how AI systems understand and manipulate probability. From HAL 9000's probability assessments in 2001: A Space Odyssey to the predictive algorithms in Minority Report and Person of Interest , fictional AI systems often serve as the ultimate probability calculators. These narratives tap into our contemporary relationship with algorithmic systems. Today's recommendation engines, predictive text, and targeted advertising all use probabilistic methods to anticipate our behavior. When we watch a sci-fi show where an AI predicts human actions with unsettling accuracy, we're experiencing an amplified version of our daily interactions with technology. This fictional exploration has real-world parallels. Just as sci-fi AI systems calculate character behaviors, actual systems analyze complex probability patterns in various domains. Whether it's predictive policing algorithms or websites evaluating game odds, these systems represent our ongoing attempt to master probability through computation. Conclusion: The Universal Appeal of Chance Why does probability continue to fascinate sci-fi creators and audiences? Perhaps because it exists at the intersection of science and mystery. Probability is mathematically rigorous yet leaves room for the unexpected—the perfect balance for science fiction, which thrives in the space between the known and the unknown. The best sci-fi stories about probability remind us that while we can calculate odds, we can never fully tame chance. As Douglas Adams humorously illustrated with the Infinite Improbability Drive in The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy , sometimes the most improbable events are precisely what make life—and storytelling—most interesting. In a universe governed by probability waves and quantum uncertainty, science fiction doesn't just use probability as a plot device—it helps us process our own relationship with chance, uncertainty, and possibility. And in that exploration, we might just find something profoundly human: our persistent hope that despite overwhelming odds, improbable doesn't mean impossible. Prime Video Cancels THE WHEEL OF TIME After 3 Seasons RELATED: Read our The Wheel of Time recaps
Entrepreneur
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Entrepreneur
Top 5 AI NSFW Writing Generators
The top five AI NSFW Writing Generators are listed in this article along with a description of each one's features and unique selling points for people looking for unbridled creativity. Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own. You're reading Entrepreneur India, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media. Generative AI NSFW writing tools are revolutionizing the way adults write and interact with customized online narratives. These platforms create original, interesting, and frequently explicit AI smut stories based on user preferences using artificial intelligence. For people who want to improve their creative writing, explore new fancies, or just have fun, AI NSFW Writing Generators provide a secure and confidential option. The majority of these tools are easy to use, don't require any particular writing abilities, and can assist users in getting past writer's block. The top five AI NSFW Writing Generators are listed in this article along with a description of each one's features and unique selling points for people looking for unbridled creativity. What Are AI NSFW Writing Generators? AI NSFW Writing Generators are specialized software programs that tell pornographic or adult-themed fiction using artificial intelligence. These generators can generate a variety of content, including explicit narratives and love tales, by letting users enter specified settings. Characters, locales, and plotlines are frequently customizable by users, guaranteeing a very unique storytelling experience. How They Differ from General AI Writing Tools? While standard AI writing tools can generate text like emails, reports, and essays, AI NSFW Writing Generators are specifically made for pornographic content. They include characteristics that ordinary AI tools usually lack or limit, like uncensored outputs, extensive character customization, and the capacity to handle explicit capabilities. Why Choose Tools Without Sign-Up Restrictions? The following are some of the reasons why many people like AI NSFW Writing Generators that don't require registration: They offer more anonymity and privacy. Customers can test the service right away without disclosing any personal information. Finding the platform that best suits one's needs is made easier by exploring several options. Top 5 AI NSFW Writing Generators 1. Smutfinder Smutfinder is widely recognized as the best AI-based NSFW writing generator accessible. Their sophisticated AI creates completely customized adult fiction based on user selections, including names, physical characteristics, and particular interests customization. Exact customization is possible thanks to the user-friendly interface, and the output is always of excellent quality, avoiding awkward or robotic conversation. Smutfinder's exceptional storytelling and ease of use make it the best option for anyone looking for high-quality pornographic entertainment. 2. Candy AI Candy AI allows users to interactively develop characters, allowing them to create rich and personalized adult stories. The site has an easy-to-use interface for creating roleplay scenarios and stories, and it allows voice communications. Candy AI is a great choice for anyone who want interactive experiences, even though the free edition has few features. 3. NovelAI NovelAI is renowned for producing high-caliber narratives and being versatile. With a great deal of flexibility, including the creation of images, users may create intricate adult stories. Although there is a learning curve and a subscription is needed for full access, the platform is well-liked by experienced users. 4. Sudowrite With the enhancement of narrative flow and the brainstorming of generating compelling content, Sudowrite-a conceptualized name-makes it possible to brainstorm, rewrite much-needed NSFW content, or describe explicit scenes vividly. Sudowrite suits every level of writers and is pretty simple to use; however, the regular use of the software requires payment. 5. GPTPLUS NSFW AI Writer GPTPLUS has an NSFW AI-Writer, free to use, which generates original stories based on user prompts. They support multiple AI models that allow a click to copy content with ease while a real blessing for the quick creation of stories without any sign-up or technical knowledge barrier. Limitations of Free NSFW Writing Generators While free AI NSFW Writing Generators act as a starting point, there are many limitations to these: Limited NSFW Access: Several free platforms have restrictions on adult content because of policy-related issues, limiting the full experience of NSFW. Word Count or Session Limits: The free access is provided with many tools but has many restrictions on the number of words or session, thus stopping the flow of creativity. Basic Customization: The free tool version mostly offers limited options to customize characters or plots or scenarios. Lower-Quality Outputs: Free AI models might very well be models using old technology and thus producing outputs that are less clear or sometimes repetitive in nature. No Save or Privacy Option: Some free tools do not allow users to save their stories or do not guarantee their privacy-they might just be downloads, raising concern when it comes to sensitive matter.
ABC News
22-05-2025
- ABC News
Australia Remastered: Nature's Great Divide
The hard line that separates the natural worlds of Asia from Australia is the leaping-off point for amazing wild stories. The strong currents along the Wallace Line create parallel narratives of fascinating differences. Sundays from May 25.
