how the socioeconomic state of the world might just be due to a lack of fiction
epiphanote 1 - my (political?!) root cause analysis, theatre love, and the stranger by camus
Hi! Welcome to my weekly epiphanote where I share a mini epiphany, moments I’m grateful for, and what I consumed this week. Grateful to have you here! ✩
This new practice is an effort to reflect more deeply on the wonders of life. Coming out of 2024, I realized I didn’t have a central place to cherish everyday moments and reflections, so here we are! Hope you enjoy.
epiphany
As an avid reader, I’m commonly asked - what do you learn from fiction? In other words, I’m hinted “subtly” at how non-fiction is a superior form of consumption as it directly reflects the Real World™️.
While I think this is a valid perspective, it bothered me as someone who’s been reading fiction consistently since a young age. What has kept me enthralled by fictitious stories? What is the learning they provide?
After an inspiring political conversation with J about our perspectives on the most recent US election, the answer became clear:
Fiction has given me an empathy for other humans like no other. And empathy might also be 1) a solely human asset, 2) the purest type of fiction, and 3) the solution to many global issues.
1) solely human
Our world is shifting and evolving at a rate like never before with the rise of (you guessed it!) artificial intelligence. With every new version of Claude or Grok or Gemini, our solely human capability of empathy becomes increasingly important. AI might be coming for your job, but not your ability to resonate with other humans. Yay!
Whether it’s feeling the elation of Ron when he finally gets good at Quidditch, or the relationship between Richard Parker and Piscine Molitor Patel, fiction allows us to empathize to characters that reveal our inner essences. Despite AI’s efficacy at synthesizing information and completing tasks, it will never be able to relate to us in the way we can each other.
2) the purest type of fiction
Empathy is also not real. It requires the same imagination as reading a fiction book. In order to put yourself in someone else’s shoes, to empathize, you have to imagine a reality that isn’t directly happening to you. You have to create a fictitious world of experience. So not only does fiction allow you to empathize, but empathy is also the purest form of fiction.
3) the solution…?
Look, this might seem like an obvious one, but the world would be a lot better if everyone employed a bit more empathy. Whether it’s a lack of clean drinking water for Indigenous communities in this country, or reproductive rights in the US, one of the core reasons the issues persist is a lack of empathy.
Every man for himself. If it isn’t happening to me, it isn’t happening. It’s someone else’s problem.
It’s so much easier to take the reality you’re given, instead of employing empathy to put others before yourself. It’s so much easier to put the responsibility on someone else than facing the problems head on.
I do recognize that empathy comes from a place of privilege, but thanks to the wonderful conversations this week, it, and fiction, will continue to be important features in my value system.
mundane moments
Wisdom-filled multi-generational conversations amongst family friends about the trials and tribulations of life
The theatrical mechanics, puppetry and colour found in The Lion King musical in the Royal Alexandra Theatre
The warmth and light of the library when you stay long enough for it to get dark outside
i consumed:
The Stranger by Albert Camus, a novella about an outsider of a man who shows no remorse after his mother’s funeral and a violent murder. This was actually my second time reading it, and it always strikes me how much more you pick up on when re-reading. Camus is a master of foils and characterization.
On trading potential for something actual by Isabel, one of the best essays I’ve read in a while that articulates the importance of choosing what to do when you feel like there are too many options. (perfect for all my high school seniors as the future looms!)
SZA’s newest additions to SOS on LANA! Obsessed with the bright but melancholic feel of the tracks. Personal fav is BMF.
Thank you so much for reading ashna’s journal! If there’s anything in this post that resonated with you, I always love to chat, so feel free to shoot me an email 💌 ashna.nirula72@gmail.com. Until next time!
Ashna