“It’s easier to find than to invent.” This quote, often attributed to Nikola Tesla, captures something I’ve spent nearly 30 years learning on improv stages around the world. When I started out as an improviser, I believed great stories had to be clever. The more surprising, the more layered, the more elaborate, the better. I […]
Articles Tagged: #communication
What Improv Theater Can Teach Modern Leaders: A Psychologist’s Three Exercises for Better Teams
How applied improvisation builds stronger teams. Three exercises from Nicolas Bechthold’s chapter in “Der Impro Code” — and why agile leaders should pay attention.
The AI Whipping Boy: A “Punching Bag” for the Soul?
I’ve been thinking about a rule that feels almost sacred in classical psychology: the dignity of the therapist. In a traditional setting, the patient is expected to meet the therapist with a certain level of respect, maintaining a professional hierarchy. It makes sense, of course – human therapists have feelings, morning coffees that haven’t kicked […]
Unveiling the Curtain of Secrets: How Improv Theatre and AI Embrace the Art of “Theory of Mind”
In the world of theater and sitcoms, secrets are the spice of life. They’re the juicy plot twists that keep us glued to our screens, making us laugh, cry, and occasionally cringe in empathetic embarrassment. But have you ever stopped to think about the delightful dance between characters and their secrets, both hidden from each […]
The Art of Extend: Deepening Stories in Improv Theater
Ah, the fearsome ‘extend’! If you’ve ever dabbled in the magical realm of improvisation theatre (or have tried your hand at scriptwriting), you’re probably familiar with the terms “advance” and “extend”. In a nutshell, you either move the plot forward, injecting juicy new elements, or… you linger. Now, why on Earth would you want to […]
Exploring the Use of Large Language Models in Improvisational Theater: Harnessing Personality and Memory to Create Engaging Stories
Introduction:Large language models have revolutionized the field of natural language processing, providing powerful tools for generating coherent and context-aware text. However, their primary focus has been on neutrality and objectivity, aiming to avoid personal biases and adhere to prevailing social and scientific opinions. In the realm of improvisational theater, this presents a unique challenge as […]
The Secret Ingredient of Improv: A Dash of Michelin-Star Wisdom and a Whole Lot of Spice!
You might have had that “Aha!” moment while taking a cooking class, sailing, or maybe even sitting in a 7-Eleven munching on a hot dog. Surprisingly, my moment came at a Michelin-starred restaurant in France, specifically in the pastry section, and it taught me a life lesson that changed my perception of improvisational theater. Yeah, […]
Unleash Your Inner Superhero: 8 Secrets to Transform Your Life Faster Than You Can Say ‘Avocado Toast’! 🚀🥑
🌟✨ Hey, Superstars of Self-Improvement! 🌈💡 Picture this: you, channeling your inner Marie Kondo, decluttering not just your wardrobe, but your mind. How? Well, grab your superhero cape because I’ve got some intelligence (not the artificial kind) coming your way, based on an article that’s spicier than Sriracha on your morning toast. 🍞🌶️ Here’s the […]
Working with Your Brain, Not Against It: Managing ADHD
Tom: Good evening, folks. Today we’re here to talk about maximizing productivity for those with ADHD in the workplace. Dr. Chatterbox: (chuckles) Yes, Tom. Because let’s face it, ADHD can make it feel like a circus in your brain when it comes to getting things done at work. Tom: (laughs) That’s right, Dr. Chatterbox. But […]
Prompt: Emotional Rollercoaster
Can ChatGPT change emotions in a dialogue? Is it able to end a scene properly? Hell, yes! Write five lines of dialogue between Jim and John discussing gardening. Both are happy.