Re:How to Read Self-Help
by jborichevskiy on Friday January 24, 2020 @03:49PM
(#22142314)
I do like your fiber analogy.
I wholeheartedly agree metaphors are a multiplier to information transfer, but I can't say I've seen a deep dive into the psychology of why beyond simple literature class reasons.
My guess is when given a metaphor our brains just don't have to do as much work to frame the concept and understand it, and retention is better as it's condensed.
I might buy the 'fiber' argument as it were, if it weren't for literature's existing power to convey in compact form already.
Aesop seems miles ahead of the modern self-help crowd here; if anything, there's something about couching information in metaphor that makes it particularly satisfying to digest, which is why we can teach children about boys who cry wolf with more efficacy than simply preaching honesty - which children put to more credible use in examining their teachers' hypocrisy.