TEDxMiddlebury - Phil Kaye - Why We Tell Stories

Summary

Phil, a spoken word poet, explores the power of storytelling as a means to cope with life's repetitions and losses of meaning. He recounts personal narratives, including his parents' divorce and his own stutter, to illustrate how words can fade into insignificance or carry profound weight. Phil's journey through his family's history, from war-torn pasts to personal connections, reveals storytelling as a tool for understanding our existence, forging connections, and celebrating the complexity of being alive.

Takeaways

• 📜 The speaker uses repetition as a literary device to illustrate how words can lose their meaning when overused.
• 🌅 The sunset metaphor is used to explain how familiar experiences can become mundane without the emotional impact they once had.
• 🏠 The story of the speaker's parents' divorce is recounted to show how the breakdown of a family can leave a lasting emotional impact.
• 🎭 The speaker's stutter is described as a 'cage made of mirrors', highlighting the frustration and isolation felt when unable to communicate freely.
• 🗣️ The importance of spoken word as an art form is emphasized, with the speaker describing it as a way to share personal narratives and connect with others.
• 🌐 The speaker's work with Project Voice is mentioned, indicating a dedication to helping others find their voice and tell their stories.
• 📚 The speaker's journey of self-discovery through storytelling is shared, revealing a personal quest to understand the purpose of sharing stories.
• 🌱 The idea that stories can provide a sense of belonging and identity is explored, with the speaker reflecting on his own cultural heritage.
• 🏙️ The city metaphor is used to describe how stories can help us navigate and make sense of our lives, providing a map of experiences and emotions.
• 💔 The speaker discusses the power of stories to heal and process grief, using the example of his grandfather's experiences during World War II.
• 🌟 The final poem 'Teeth' is a poignant reminder of the importance of remembering and learning from the past, while also looking towards a future of forgiveness and understanding.

Q & A

What is the main theme of Phil's poem?

The main theme of Phil's poem is the loss of meaning through repetition and its connection to personal experiences, such as his parents' divorce and his own stutter.

Why did Phil's parents send him to the neighbor's house before their last argument?

Phil's parents sent him to the neighbor's house to shield him from the conflict of their last argument, which was a precursor to their divorce.

What trick did Phil's mother teach him regarding the repetition of words?

Phil's mother taught him that if you repeat something over and over again, it loses its meaning, using the example of the word 'homework'.

How did Phil's parents' divorce affect him?

Phil's parents' divorce led to a sense of loss and a change in his home environment, which he describes as having 'no gravity'. It also influenced his view on the power of words and their meanings.

What is Phil's profession and how does he describe it?

Phil is a full-time spoken word poet. He describes his profession as telling stories, which allows him to support himself at a relatively young age.

What organization does Phil co-run and what does it focus on?

Phil co-runs an organization with his best friend and fellow poet, Sarah Kaye. The organization focuses on traveling internationally to perform and teach spoken word poetry workshops.

What is Phil's perspective on why people tell stories?

Phil believes that people tell stories to feel alive, to share, to connect, and to make sense of the great unknown of life.

What does Phil suggest is the best way to tell a good story?

Phil suggests that the best way to tell a good story is to live a good story, to embrace vulnerability, take risks, and break out of predictability.

What advice does Phil give to those who want to start telling stories?

Phil advises to let go of the idea of perfection and to not be afraid to be vulnerable enough to tell one's stories. He emphasizes the importance of connection and making sense of the human experience.

What is the title of the poem Phil recites at the end of the script, and who is it dedicated to?

The title of the poem Phil recites is 'Teeth', and it is dedicated to his grandfathers, reflecting on the historical and familial impacts of war and hate.