How to Tell a Story With Data: Turn Numbers Into Narrative

How to Tell a Story With Data: Turn Numbers Into Narrative

Is your data failing to persuade your audience despite its accuracy? Why do some presentations move people to action while others leave them unmoved, even when the numbers are solid? Transforming raw data into compelling narratives requires specific techniques and thoughtful planning. In her book Storytelling With Data, Cole Nussbaumer Knaflic breaks down how to tell a story with data into three essential steps. Continue reading to discover how you can translate your numbers into stories that stick with your audience and inspire meaningful action.

Can Cellular Engineering Reverse Aging? Yes, But at a Steep Cost

Glass test tubes in a lab that does cellular engineering

Can the human aging process be reversed? What are the associated risks with cellular engineering? Nicklas Brendborg is a Danish biotechnologist and science writer. He writes in his book Jellyfish Age Backwards that scientists have discovered a couple of ways to reverse aging, however, they pose dangerous health risks. Here’s a look at the two cellular engineering methods that Brendborg discusses.

Westworld & the Bicameral Mind: How the Theory Comes to Life

The Westworld logo illustrates Westworld and the bicameral mind

What if human consciousness wasn’t always part of our mental makeup? How did ancient humans experience their minds before developing self-awareness as we know it today? In HBO’s Westworld, the bicameral mind theory comes to life. This concept, laid out in Julian Jaynes’s book The Origin of Consciousness in the Breakdown of the Bicameral Mind, suggests that consciousness evolved from an earlier mental state. Keep reading to learn how Westworld illustrates Jaynes’s revolutionary ideas about consciousness.

Music as Medicine for Movement Disorders (Levitin)

A man in a wheelchair listening to headphones outside, enjoying music as a form of medicine

How can music help those with Tourette’s syndrome? How does music therapy work in the brain? In his book I Heard There Was a Secret Chord, neuroscientist Daniel J. Levitin explains how music therapy can be a powerful medicine. He specifically mentions Tourette’s Syndrome, Parkinson’s, multiple sclerosis, and Huntington’s. Continue reading to learn how to harness music as medicine for movement disorders.

How to Present Data Visually: 3 Ways to Make Info Easy to Process

A bald man with eyeglasses giving a presentation with a simple graph on a screen illustrates how to present data visually

Have you ever looked at a data presentation and felt completely lost? How can you transform complex numbers into visuals that tell a clear, compelling story? Learning how to present data visually is a skill that combines design principles with an understanding of human perception. In Storytelling With Data, Cole Nussbaumer Knaflic offers practical strategies for making information both accessible and impactful through thoughtful visualization techniques. Keep reading to discover simple yet powerful methods that will transform your data from confusing to crystal clear.

The Future of Anti-Aging Drugs (+ Their Challenges)

A cartoon image of a hand holding a handful of anti-aging drugs

Is there such thing as anti-aging drugs? What side effects do these drugs have on the body? According to Nicklas Brendborg, some medical interventions hold promise for treating the symptoms of old age—or even reversing the aging process. But, like with any medication, a lot more testing is needed. Here’s an early look at some of the anti-aging drugs that Brendborg points out.

Narratization: How Our Minds Write Storylines (Julian Jaynes)

An open storybook, clouds, and a silhouette of a girl's head illustrates narratization

What role does narratization play in the development of human consciousness? How does the ability to create coherent stories from our experiences separate conscious beings from non-conscious ones? In his book, The Origin of Consciousness in the Breakdown of the Bicameral Mind, Julian Jaynes explores how consciousness emerged. He identifies “narratization”—our ability to string experiences into coherent stories—as a fundamental component of consciousness that helps us make sense of our reality. Read more to examine this fascinating concept through the lens of both evolutionary history and modern interpretations.

Unconscious Processing: 2 Ways It Helps Us Survive & Thrive

A person driving a car and talking to another person in the car illustrates unconscious processing

How does your unconscious mind influence your daily life? What evolutionary advantages do these unseen mental processes provide? In his book Subliminal, Leonard Mlodinow reveals how unconscious processing drives most of our brain activity. He explains that this gives rise to a couple of abilities that helped our ancestors survive and continue to shape our experiences today. Keep reading to discover how your brain’s hidden operations might be making the difference between life and death without you even realizing it.

The Power of Music Therapy for Mental Health Disorders

A young woman sitting by a window looking relaxed and listening to music for her mental health

In what ways can music improve mental health incomes? What specific mental health disorders are most affected by music? According to Daniel J. Levitin, the author of I Heard There Was a Secret Chord, music can improve mental health outcomes in two significant ways. It can also improve disorders such as bipolar disorder, depression, PTSD, and trauma. Keep reading for insight into the benefits of music therapy for mental health disorders.

4 Natural Anti-Aging Methods to Extend Your Years

A person running in a wooded park, a natural anti-aging strategy

Are you looking for natural anti-aging strategies? How can you combat the effects of aging without medication? In a society where people are looking to anti-aging medications and procedures to keep them young, natural anti-aging strategies are often overlooked. According to Nicklas Brendborg in Jellyfish Age Backwards, these lifestyle changes can extend your lifespan. Continue reading to learn how to extend your years naturally.