Lee Simpson is a master improv performer and theatre director. I had a lovely conversation with him which left me dwelling on many things.

Notably on how we view our lives. He made the case that when we reflect on our histories, when we go back far enough in time, we think about our lives as stories and we view and narrate them as such. In the present or recent past, we tend to see life as more a collection of facts and this process of making our lives into story is very important to us.

For better or worse, how we view or use that process is seemingly a vital part of being human and therefore knowing, using or being in control of that process becomes important in understanding what it means to be be human and understand ourselves.

Another point Lee made was about status. Status is a useful technique on the stage or improv about knowing which person has a higher status and if someone is trying to overcome that status. Comedy can arise, or conflict when perceived status is being fought over, especially if an audience might have different views than to the performers.

I think this extends into real life. People in general know that status of people in a room through signals or cues, and comedy or conflicts occur when this is not clear or agreed upon.

It’s also why the little signals like women/juniors being asked to take notes, the order or greetings or seatings or speaking are so important and if you want to push back against any of these hierarchies then knowing them and overturning them become important.

Lots more to think about in our conversation here.