The Myth Gap: What Happens When Evidence and Arguments Aren’t Enough

by Alex Evans

Why, with absolutely no idea what Brexit actually meant, did the UK vote for Brexit?Why, rather than vote for the best-qualified candidate ever to stand as US President, did voters opt for a reality TV star with no political experience?In both cases, the winning side promised change and offered hope. They told a story voters longed to hear. And in the absence of greater, more unifying narratives, then true or not, voters plumped for the best story available.Once upon a time our society was rich in stories. They brought us together and helped us to understand the world and ourselves. We called them myths. Today, we have a myth gap – a vacuum that Alex Evans argues powerfully and persuasively is both dangerous and an opportunity. In this time of global crisis and transition– mass migration, inequality, resource scarcity, and climate change - It is stories, rather than facts and pie-charts,that will animate us and bring us together. It is by finding new myths, those that speak to us of renewal and restoration, that we will navigate our way to a better future. Drawing on his first-hand experience as a political adviser within British government and at the United Nations, and examining the history of climate change campaigning and recent contests such as Brexit and the US presidential election, Alex Evans *how tomorrow’s activists are using narratives for change, * how modern stories have been used and abused, * where we might find the right myths that will take us forward

Genres: Nonfiction, Politics, Psychology, Sociology, Science, Philosophy, Anthropology

162 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 12, 2017

About the author

More than one author on Goodreads is named Alex Evans.

Reviews

[Bettie]

https://www.newscientist.com/article/...

[Carolyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I spotted this book in the Mitchell library and was delighted - "Brilliant" I thought, "Somebody's figured out how to operate in this weird new world where literally nothing makes sense".

And I'm not sure Alex Evans has quite done that, but it has given me a lot of food for thought. It's a short book with some big ideas: primarily:

1) enemy narratives are no longer useful. Demonising Trump, or UKIP, or anyone else just divides us further and achieves little actual change. We need narratives - "myths" in Evans' language - that give us common purpose and tell stories of what we can achieve together.

2) we need to create a longer now and a larger us. In other words, we need to tell stories that make us think about the next 20 years, not the next twelve months, and expand the people we think of as "us" beyond our street, town or country.

His experience is primarily in climate change campaigning but his reflections make sense in a lot of areas. I've thought a lot about this book since I finished it. I'm not sure it's given me lots of answers, but I think it's given me a constructive way to approach campaigning and being a political person.

[Keen Reader · Rating 1 out of 5]

Hmmm…I’m not really sure what the point of this book was, I can see what he means about us needing to tell new and improved myths and the importance of storytelling etc, but too often this reads like he’s consulted some generic book of quotations and went hog wild with it and just thrown in some padding of his own as a token afterthought to string it all together making for quite a tenuous and confusing result?...

Over the course of two very short pages he manages to squeeze in a serious list of spoilers to a large amount of books/movies which was a tad cheeky. You have been warned. Elsewhere he talks about how some of the greediest and most awful corporations in history have now decided to adopt some mindfulness meditation. As if this is somehow a positive thing for us or wider society?...

Perhaps the most amusing and puzzling quote is the Churchill one which has seemingly being chosen to crowbar in the fact that one of his distant relatives was the doctor to Churchill. The quote itself seemed to glorify empire and its ideas, which seems a tad “off message” with the overall aims of this book, but I suppose the important thing is that we now know about that all important Churchill connection.

The author also enjoys telling us that he was in the “war room” for the Labour government. For those of you who may not know or care the “war room” is a term often used by privately educated white people to refer to a room full of other privileged peers during an election, who collectively have rarely done a proper day’s work in their lives let alone fought in an actual war. Though of course that government he was part of did start quite a nasty illegal one, but they didn’t do any of the actual fighting. They just start it and get others to fight and die instead.

So this had some brief, interesting moments, but overall this was all over the place and didn’t have a coherent or clear message, it just felt like a chain of quotes thrown together with some casual thoughts and seasoned with some humble bragging.

[Manda Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Essential reading if we want to step forward into a new, sustainable future

We need a new narrative - a number of us have been saying this for some time. What I haven’t seen written before, is a precise look at the kinds of new narratives we need and how they might arise. Alex Evans has the right pedigree and clearly the right depth and breadth of emotional and structural intelligence to write a book that makes that essential step: here’s a blueprint. It behooves those of us who create fictional worlds to find ways to use this blueprint constructively to wreak worlds which can sustain us, and we them.

[Daniel Hrenak · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kde bolo tam bolo, boli príbehy, ktoré ľudí učili ako si majú vážiť seba, ľudí okolo a Zem na ktorej žijú. Prišla ale zlá moderna doba a ľudia príbehom prestali veriť. Veď všetko sa dá overiť na Googli a vieme, že Zem je guľatá (teda všetci rozumní to vedia), a že predsa keď je tu miliardy rokov, nemusíme sa o ňu prehnane starať. A tak sa začali sústrediť na to, čo oni sami potrebuju alebo chcú a zem nech sa točí ako vie. Záver tohto príbehu je otvorený, ale v náznakoch sa dá čítať, že ak ľudia prestanú úplne veriť príbehom o raji na Zemi, tak im nebeský raj môže byt rovnako vzdialený.

[Anja Anic · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting argument, but remains rather vague. I hoped the author will go in depth explaining the necessity of myths, and even more - storytelling, but was a tiny bit disappointed as the argument wasn't compelling enough to convince me how much we need it. Given the argument is that we need to not only try to won people over with rationality and facts, but play on their emotions as well, I found the authlr didn't play enough on my emotions to convince me. Not to say that the middle got me a bit lost. Solid 3.5

[Yxas · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to love it. It isn't what's advertised though. Instead, it's an appeal to embrace storytelling in our efforts to campaign for progressive social justice movements and environmental restoration.

Some of the chapters which explored actual myths were really enjoyable. Your enjoyment will depend on your spiritual threshold though; as a non-Christian who has been enchanted by biblical tales, I found the stuff on non-canon bible stories fascinating. If you think it's a load of old tosh with no redeeming artistic or ethical merits, then I'm afraid you'll get nothing from some of this book's best chapters. But I enjoyed them. I liked the final chapter too.

At one point I was annoyed by a tedious equating of Dawkins' Atheism with religious fundamentalism - yes teh (intended) New Atheists, who are in some ways the forerunners of the alt-right, can be truculunt and tasteless, but it is evidently not the case that they're as fundamentalist as religious fanatics can be. Being obnoxiously antitheist and putting silly posters on buses isn't the same as fundamentalism.

This would be an exquisitely picayune complaint, were it not for the fact that this (sort of) ties in with a trend of dismissing the fervour that accompanies activist movements in favour of a tepid, friendly approach of bargaining built around shared myths. Let's sit down, sing songs, imagine a better future together and we'll resolve all of our differences in how we interpret the severity or existence of global warming.

Okay, that's an unfair characterisation on my part, but I think I'll stand by it. It's more annoying because the author constantly ignores the potential for myths to be exploited for movements which may increase prejudice, inequality or environmental destruction. You see, the author redefines myths as stories - and I think I understand why, but I'm not sure why you'd opt for a term synonymous with falsehoods when you have a perfectly serviceable and charming word in "story". This could've been so much better if it was about how to embellish movements with powerful, benign stories.

It should be revised to cover the eschatology of extinction rebellion and why that's working so well for them. Now that would be fascinating.

Anyway, it's churlish to give such a well-intentioned, terrifically well-written book such a low rating. But it is what it is. 2*

[M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Concise yet profound

Personally I think the author is a bit biased on the Brexit issue. Equally hyperbolic collapsarian (sp) stuff from the remain camp and continuing over recent days (I am not a racist think xenophobe). Also, Its not the Apocalypse it's swings and round about in or out of EU good and bad in different ways. Anyway.... That aside...

This book was a pleasure to read and had significant things to say on a wide range of issues from 'enemy narritives' and 'short termism' to the singularity. The issues are woven around a single thread of the environment.

As a scientist/engineer I think its slightly heretical to put myth ahead of fact but this book has made me think about the possible benefits of stories and also of religions in terms of community.

As a manager I worry about the young people I work with not finding purpose. Being isolated through technology, or lack of any community forum to discuss issues and also unrealistic expectations of life through social media. Youth suicide etc. This book really does touch on it all.

As a grumpy git the enemy narratives formed by the 'occupy wallstreet' people annoy me as if you earn more than £24k YOU ARE THE1% i.e. richer than 99% of the people on the planet. But equally I need to avoid thinking of all of them as unwashed students as that clearly isn't the case.

I'm going to read it again (aided by it's brevity) and check out all the links! Fascinating non-waffly read (unlike this review).

[AnnaG · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is fascinating as a look at the motivation and thought processes of environmental activist. The author has devoted his life to achieving political progress on climate issues and clearly cares very deeply about it. He provides clear narrative of the failings of his movement so far to get the action it wants and concludes that since the message is right, it just needs re-packaging in a more palatable format to get action.

I'm not sure if such a formulation exists. Like most people, I care more about human life than other species and the idea of having less children to save the polar bears will always sound wacky. The final chapter envisioning a socialist (communist?) utopia sounds like something out of Big Brother to me. Reading between the lines - environmentalist heaven involves shivering in the dark whilst the government restricts possessions, family-size and diet; I hope my government makes me a better offer than that! Nevertheless, it's interesting to see such an articulate and intelligent writer striving for this goal.

[xuma · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5. Interesting essay with food for thought regarding the use of stories to aid and further movements such as climate change. Points I especially liked:
- A warning against the polarisation of sides, especially relevant in today's age of cancel culture and simply blocking out whatever "the other side" has to say. Evan's "enemy narratives".
- We see religion and science as a battle of religion VERSUS science, and religion is losing because it must clearly be in the wrong with all of those flawed and unrealistic stories... weren't people so silly back in the day, to believe all those stories that they were told at sermons?! Wait a second... even if those tales didn't really happen, we can still apply their morals in our own lives. We can accept that religious texts mightn't be factually accurate, but can still learn from them. Religion needn't be the alternative to science, but they can work together.

I would have liked to see more examples of old myths, and how they used to be used. The few times that Evans did this, it was a highlight in the book for me.
Would recommend as a short read to broaden one's views, and show another way of engaging people with one's cause.

[Meliha Avdic · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anyone who wants to take part in 'making the world a better place' should be reading books like this. And anyone actively involved in 'making the world a better place' should try writing books like this.

As an activist (and I mean 'an activist' - did my MSc in Voluntary Action Management and I'm working on improving this in our world) this book is a nice introduction, gives some idea of what that world looks like, and Alex covers his experience well, but the message he sends is beyond the walls of 'establishment'. I would say that he has the right idea, masses are now coming to the end of the 'star-struck' road, and are increasingly interested in reality, so the myth is needed, but the myth is nothing like the myths of the ancients. Masses today want reality, and they want to understand the world that we, humans, have created.

[John Warner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was fascinated by the use of religious language and religious substructure - I was fascinated more for the problems this text might generate for some of my atheist friends who are allergic to "religious language" - it would be deeply problematic for them, I fear.

The idea that we need "stories" that offer guidance to ourselves, the various levels of society we live in (house, street, neighbourhood, town, region, state etc.) and more importantly globally as we become neighbours one with another.

A fast read for me - but it was useful to be reminded of points and interesting to learn about groups and of course other books.

[Neil MacDonald · Rating 5 out of 5]

Imagine a catastrophe. Any catastrophe you like, so long as it’s big enough. People stand, silhouetted by the flames, wailing and shaking their heads. And then you shoulder your way into the crowd, saying “Let me through, I’m a story-teller.”

That’s the invitation of Alex Evans in his book The Myth Gap. This is a very important book, not least because there’s really only one significant idea in it – collective stories are fundamental to our wellbeing, and they are forged in dialogue. This short book isn’t a detailed analysis, but an invitation to see human dialogue in a new way.

Once, he says, we were rich in stories that helped us understand the world and think about ourselves. We called these stories myths. But somehow the word myth became synonymous with untruth. Evans, who was a political adviser to the British government and then the United Nations on climate change, argues that we need new myths to bring us together to confront shared challenges. Stories that can speak to us of renewal and restoration.

Evans draws on recent experiences such as the Paris Climate agreement of 2015, and the 2016 Brexit referendum in the UK and Donald Trump’s victory in the US Presidential election. He argues that people are animated, not by figures and pie charts, but by stories. The stories that animated 2016 were nationalist myths of “taking back control” and “making America great again”. In a situation where myths have shrunk, we can be easily captured by impoverished negative myths.

We need stories that embody a larger us, all seven billion of us, and a longer now at the intersection of a deep past and a deep future. We need this if we are to think across generational timespans, rather than gorging ourselves now and leaving future generations to pick up the bill. Connected to this is the idea of a better good life, one which rejects the idea that we are what we buy.

A profound insight (though without evidence to support it) is that our ability to respond effectively to climate change is weighed down by a freight of guilt and grief. If true, that would suggest a need for the atonement and redemption that myth provides.

I’m a story-teller, so this idea excites me. But I’m also originally a scientist. And the idea that evidence and facts aren’t enough is troubling to me. I worry that it’s a capitulation to “post-truth” politics without examining what makes that politics appealing.

I don’t buy his argument, for example, that the Remain campaign in Britain’s EU referendum relied on rational argument and facts. It seemed to me they relied on patriarchal authority, fear and a narrative of doom. Though I was a Remain voter, it also seems to me that he ignores the entirely rational experience of people on the Leave side. People in declining industries and declining towns forced into competition with immigrants for jobs, services, and pride. The “take back control” narrative worked because it spoke to a lived reality of being ignored.

As an unbeliever, I also find his fascination with Judeo-Christian myths limiting. Though, in fairness, I do have to accept that God has some of the best stories. I did also find his exegesis of the alternative story of the Fall story contained in the Book of Enoch fascinating, though not necessarily relevant to his theme. For my money, James Martin’s Canyon metaphor in his book The Meaning of the Twenty First Century, contains the outlines of a more relevant story to today’s world.

I do think stories are profoundly important. They are among the oldest human devices for encoding and sharing knowledge. They have the huge advantage over collections of facts that they tell us what goes with what, what is important and what is unimportant, who to praise and who to blame.

In the end, the importance of Evans’ book may lie less in his solutions than in his pointing to fundamental truth that we need to be animated by better stories to confront the challenges of our time. Shared stories provide devices and safe spaces through which we can negotiate purpose, transformation and hold each other to account in the process. And, I would add, those stories need to embody the best values of rationality, equality, and shared purpose. One of the triumphs of science has been to help us see our place in the universe. We are utterly improbable inhabitants of a small, fragile blue planet on the outer rim of one of the spiral arms of one galaxy. There is a power in that truth and a reminder that we all sink or swim together.

[Alex Robinson · Rating 3 out of 5]

A longish essay contemplating how the world might come together to fight climate breakdown. Evans explains why facts aren't enough to inspire change, the common features of unifying myths, and why we need ones "that can prompt us to think in terms of a larger 'us', a longer 'now', and a better good life", and plenty more besides.
Insightful rather than inspiring, but perhaps that's another book.

[WIZE FOoL · Rating 5 out of 5]

"A must read for anyone considering how to save the world." I'd go so far as to say, if you want to make the world a better place for all, take a moment and read this book. It's short, insightful and an easy read.
It filled me with hope for the future that people out there understand what's needed for a better world and are working towards it.
ENJOY

[John Owen · Rating 4 out of 5]

An intriguing read, but I'm not entirely convinced by Alex Evans' argument. In a way, we probably have too many 'myths', most of them generated by memes, like Brexit, or Trump. Invariably they are found wanting, simply because they contain no substance, other than hot air.

[Charles Anderson · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author argues that humanity needs to invent new myths about what our future should be. It's an interesting idea, but I always associate "myth" with "untrue", so creating myths to live by feels dangerous. His suggestions for our new myths also seem overly idealistic.

[Alex Priest · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really fascinated by Alex Evans right now. Tons of good insights, and pulls together a lot of seemingly disparate threads that I’ve found myself attracted to over the years. Eager to see if and how his ideas play out in the future.

[Paul Millington · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting idea but lacks actionable suggestions for fixing the world.

[Mette · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok, but very theoretical/academic, which wasn't what I was after. Would have preferred a more practical insight. Felt like I had to dig to find useful/practicable bits.

Some of the good quotes were...

On climate change:
‘The public in developed countries saying they believe climate change is real... but also that they are not particularly willing to countenance big lifestyle changes... it’s a classic thin yes. There’s no great conviction or urgency here. Politicians understand this, so the policies they adopt are similarly halfhearted.’

Ch3 on the problem with enemy narratives: “climate activists can often seem more interested in maintaining the moral high ground than in bringing along people who think differently.” This is problematic as lots of social problems require some level of consensus, which is difficult if you make it party political or antagonistic

The myth gap ‘provides an ideal habitat for... prophets of imminent social, environmental or economic collapse [eg farage and trump]... too often, political progressives try to fight these hugely resonant stories with policy memos.’

[Fiona · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was OK.
Started of really strongly, explained about myths, opened my eyes to the difference between literal and mythical truth - something I was sort of aware of before but suddenly clicked. So I sort of got why scientists can be religious better than I had.

Then somehow the book ended. Suddenly. It was launching into a peak and stopped there.

It was an interesting idea, not totally new, and there seem to be a lot of 'gaps' around (the dialogue gap, empathy gap, nature gap...), and many environmental books have been talking for years about the need to move from stories of doom and gloom to stories (now myths) of redemption. Maybe this tied everything together, but I don't think it did entirely.

So, overall, I liked the premise and the argument, but felt it dropped out before getting to the 'how to implement' stage. I might try again to see if I get more from it the second time.