The Science Behind Abstract Storytelling

Does a story need words? Does a tale need specifics? Does a picture need color? The brain does a good job of noticing patterns and filling in the blanks when it’s running low on information. And because of this, fan theories and speculation can be every bit as engaging as the content itself. But why are humans so naturally talented at explaining the unclear? That’s exactly what we're here to discuss today.

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▶Games Shown

Journey (2012) - That Game Company
Limbo (2010) - PlayDead
Inside (2016) - PlayDead
Celeste (2018) - Matt Makes Games
Hyper Light Drifter (2016) - Heart Machine
Gris (2018) - Nomada Studio
The Gardens Between (2018) - The Voxel Agents
Way to the Woods (2020) - Anthony Tan
Flower (2009) - That Game Company
Control (2019) - Remedy Entertainment
Detroit Become Human (2018) - David Cage
Ghost of Tsushima (2020) - Sucker Punch Productions
Hollow Knight (2017) - Team Cherry
The Witness (2016) - Jonathan Blow
Child of Light (2014) - Ubisoft Montreal


▶Clips/Movies Shown

Inception (2010)
Avengers: Endgame (2019)
Carole & Tuesday (2019)
The Incredibles (2004)
SpongeBob SquarePants (since always)
Sherlock Holmes (2009)
Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992)
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008)
A Beautiful Mind (2001)
The Big Bang Theory (2007)
Neon Genesis Evangelion (1995)
Interstellar (2014)
Billy Madison (1995)
Watchmen (2009)
Ice Age 3: Dawn Of The Dinosaurs (2009)


▶Music Sources:

Brethren, Arise - Chris Zabriskie
SAINT PEPSI - T.K.O
Overworld Theme - Final Fantasy VII OST
Donkey Kong ▸ Aquatic Ambiance - Super Lofi World
Above the Clouds - SHIKIMO & Gibarian
Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask "Song of Healing" (Lofi) - Mattox
Under Two Palms - Distant Desires
Kansetsu Ki...... (間接キ......) - Kaguya-sama wa Kokurasetai OST vol. 115.


▶Research Articles Cited

Apparent Behavior (Shape Study)
https://www.all-about-psychology.com/...
VID:    • An experimental study of apparent beh...  

Ascribing Meaning to Meaningless Even
https://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/28/yo...

Animating Anthropomorphism: Giving Minds To Geometric Shapes:
https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/...

Kahneman Fast and Slow Thinking:
https://www.passeidireto.com/arquivo/...

Apophenia357:
http://zhi100.blogspot.com/2007/07/bl...

https://prezi.com/hqggexd_fmma/new-fo...

Jesus on your toast:
https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2014...

Dopamine and Patterns:
https://www.researchgate.net/publicat...


*All images, graphics, and fonts created or found with postermywall.com, Pexels.com, Videvo.net, and Lightworks v14 editing software. All gameplay footage captured with Elgato 60FPS recording device*

#PsychOfPlay