Etgar Keret: Celebrated author feels the world is losing its story

Storytelling has evolved into a vital survival skill, shifting from a pursuit of grand, universal narratives to a "paramedic" function that offers immediate, small-scale relief during times of crisis. Modern digital environments, driven by algorithms that prioritize viral outrage over nuance, threaten to reduce individuals from active creators to passive "users" who outsource their decision-making. By favoring platforms that allow for direct, human-centered dialogue, writers can preserve their individuality and resist the pressure to conform to polarized, algorithmic logic. Maintaining genuine curiosity and personal agency—even in the face of conflict—is essential to reclaiming one's narrative. Israeli author Etgar Keret emphasizes that true connection requires moving beyond the "gang war" mentality of social media, advocating instead for the humble, deliberate practice of storytelling to navigate and humanize an increasingly fragmented world.