Reader Robert Bruinewoud suggested we take a look at the theme “Humans are the Real Monsters.” If you’ve got suggestions for topics you think might be inneresting, let us know!
Monsters and Morals
Are People Just Bad? - Rutger Bregman rejects the idea humanity is essentially cruel and kept in line by a thin layer of laws and peer pressure. Robert Sapolsky thinks humans have problems with violence, but that we lack free will to be truly responsible for evil actions.
What Makes Us Assume the Worst in Others? - Tim Urban looks at modern political polarization to investigate how hate and disgust are generated to dehumanize opposing groups.
It Was Never Meant to be Universal - Danika Ellis looks at how Lord of the Flies was intended as a targeted satire, not a statement about all of humanity.
The Monster Was Always Something Else - Emma Louise Backe lists ways different fictional monsters act as a symbolic warning to the audience. Erika Swyler asks if we have the proper monsters to help us deal with today’s apocalyptic fears.
Spotlight on Colossal - Cassie Da Costa unpacks how Colossal targets the monstrous behavior of the film’s men. Writer/Director Nacho Vigalando explains the influences behind the film’s themes and monsters.
Likes & Retweets
In Case of Emergency: Every Villain is a Hero
Even a monstrous antagonist probably thinks they’re the good guy. What happens when you look at your story from their perspective?
That’s one of the questions you’ll find in the Writer Emergency Pack.
The Writer Emergency Pack is a deck full of useful ideas to get your story unstuck. Give it a shuffle, pick a card, and see how the prompt might spark a way through your current story dilemma.
You can find out how to get your deck at the Writer Emergency site, along with a blog post digging into tips for creating memorable villains.
Previously on Inneresting…
In case you missed it, in last issue’s most clicked link Chuck Wendig explains building characters using Motivation, Action, and Consequence.
Other Inneresting Things
99% Invisible looks back at The Crash at Crush, a railroad publicity event gone explosively wrong.
Simon Weckert demonstrates how a wagon full of phones can trick Google Maps into reporting a traffic jam.
James Northrup explains pre-visualization techniques to plan stunts for film and television.
About This Newsletter
Inneresting is edited by Chris Csont, with contributions from the entire Quote-Unquote team.
Come across something you think other readers might find inneresting? Reach out to Chris on Twitter @ccsont or email us at inneresting@johnaugust.com.
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