Humans create stories because we have an innate need to share these stories. Stories may not accurately describe experiences or events but there is usually some truth to them. So while the listener isn’t gaining the same experience, he is given an opportunity to observe the experience or refine it further than their predecessor.

Next, humans created various languages to aid in expressing different kinds of stories. For example: cave paintings, written language, mathematics, poetry, song, plays, computer programs, etc.

The latest challenge humans faced in sharing experiences is one of scale and time. From books, to radio, to television and now the Internet; each of these inventions attacked the challenge of scale and time.

Is this ability and need to share stories unique to humans? While stories don’t define humans, they are how we are remembered. What else will humans need to propel us past the next challenge?