storymind.jpg (11001 bytes)
Hidden in the dramatic structure of stories is a model of the mind...

Directory:

Home

Story Mind Basics

The Minds of Men & Women

How to Solve Problems

A Model
of the Mind

The Math Behind the Model

Applications
of Mental Relativity

The Mental Relativity Tapes

Press Coverage of the Story Mind

Letters & Replies

********* 

 

Running Away
from a Problem

by Melanie Anne Phillips

Men and women justify differently. The problem solving of one is the justification of the other. This is because one is based on a Spatial Brain Operating System (or SBOS) and the other is based on a Temporal Brain Operating System (or TBOS). Either system is an equally valid way of measuring discrepancies between the observed state of things and the state of observation.

Left Minded individuals measure things according to their spatial arrangements, therefore, ignoring a spatial arrangement is tantamount to justification. Right Minded individuals measure things according to their alteration over time, so for them, ignoring a spatial arrangement does not significantly affect their ability to accurately problem solve.

As a result, if an inequity is apparent to an LM, moving out of the effect of that problem is seen as running away, since it ignores an inequity in the problem solving area. Many stories have been written about characters trying to avoid a problem by avoiding proximity to it. The prevailing moral outlook on this has (in general) been negative. That is why it is so startling to many when a film like Brazil comes along and states that moralistically, it is okay to simple ignore a spatial (or situational) inequity and pretend it does not exist.

Even that story, however, pulls its punches by first showing that it is actually impossible to affect change in the inequity leaving only the choice of endless suffering with it, or tuning out altogether.

But for the RM, there is absolutely nothing wrong with moving away from a problem even if it is completely solvable. That is why the problem that Ripley faces in Aliens (2) is inappropriate to her character. The stated problem is that she is running away from her fear of the Aliens. The stated solution is to "Get back on the horse" and face her fear. That is a Left Minded solution to a Left Minded problem. But by definition, females are Right Minded. In Aliens, Ripley is clearly a man in drag. Her entire character is a male persona, expressed through a woman's body.

The purpose of this, clearly, was to give a boost to the downtrodden women of society by allowing them a heroine who can compete and even triumph in a male dominated culture. But the effect was worse than if they had not even tried. Rather than portraying a real female character that suffers RM justification and grows to overcome that, and confront the real RM problem, the authors have created a caricature of women that fits in with the male understanding of what women are, seen in male terms. What a disservice born of noble intentions.

Copyright Melanie Anne Phillips


Brought to you by


Owned and Operated by the Creator of StoryWeaver & Co-Creator of Dramatica
Serving more than 12,000 writers since 1997

Get the Writer's Survival Kit Bonus Package
FREE with ANY Purchase!

Writing Software Buyer's Guide
About Our Store

 We'll Beat ANY Price!
     90 DAY Return Policy

Movie Magic Screenwriter 2000 Movie Magic Screenwriter
pad
List price: $269.95
Your price: $179.23
(
Academic: $99.95)
Storyweaver Software-<br>Your Step-by-Step<br>Guide to a Complete Story!
Our
Bestseller!
Storyweaver
Step by Step Story Development Software

pad
Just $29.95
Dramatica Pro 4.0<br>Story Development<br>Software Dramatica Pro 4
Story Development

pad
List price: $269.95
Your price: $179.23
(
Academic: $99.95)
20 hour Writing<br>Course on CD ROM<br>featuring Dramatica 20 hour Writing
Course on CD ROM
featuring Dramatica

pad
$19.95
Dramatica Tips & Tricks Book Dramatica Tips & Tricks Book
pad
$19.95
Dramatica Software<br>Companion CD ROM Dramatica Software
Companion CD ROM

pad
$19.95
Dramatica Writers DreamKit 4.0 Dramatica Writers DreamKit 4
pad
$49.95
Hollywood Screenwriter Hollywood Screenwriter
pad
$49.95
Final Draft 7 Screenwriting Software
pad
List price: $249.00
Your price: $199.47
(
Academic: $129.42)
Power Structure
Story Development
Software

pad
List price: $269.00
Your price: $159.95
Power Writer
pad
List price: $159.95
Your price: $99.95
How to Create
Great Characters
Online Workshop

pad
$49.95
How to Create
Great Characters
DVD Video
$19.95
How to Make Your Movie
An Interactive Film School

pad
List price: $89.95
Your price: $49.95
The Dramatica Theory<br>2 hour audio program The Dramatica Theory
2 hour audio program

pad
$19.95
PACKAGE DEALS
$59.95 & Up
Master Storyteller:<br>Improve your<br>Writing Skills! Master Storyteller:
Improve your
Writing Skills!

pad
$29.95
The Story Mind:<br>Structure Vs. Passion The Story Mind:
Structure Vs. Passion

pad
$9.95
20 hour Writing<br>Course on CD ROM<br>featuring Dramatica StoryWeaving Seminar
pad
In Person - $199.95
Online Video - $99.95
Dramatica Theory Book Writing with
the Story Mind
1 hour audio program

pad
$9.95
Writing Characters<br>of the Opposite Sex Writing Characters
of the
Opposite Sex
2 Hour Plot Class<p>Learn how to<br>plot your story! 2 Hour Plot Class
Learn how to
plot your story!

pad
$19.95
Mental Relativity Book: The Psychology Behind Dramatica Mental Relativity Book: The Psychology Behind Dramatica
pad
$19.95
Dramatica Pro 4.0<br>Story Development<br>Software Mastering
Dramatica Pro
Online Workshop

$49.95


Prefer to order by Mail or Fax?
Click here for information.

Questions? Email customer-service@storymind.com

We'll beat ANY Advertised Price! REALLY! 
AND, if you see a lower price within 30 days of purchase
we'll refund the difference!

90 Day Full Money-Back Guarantee!
Return item within 90 days for a complete refund
of your original purchase price!

Get the Writer's Survival Kit & Sampler FREE
with ANY Purchase!

StoryWeaving Seminar
Join the creator of StoryWeaver & co-creator of Dramatica
for a two-day writing & story development seminar
Click here for details!

Visit the best writers' site on the web:

storymindad.gif (9491 bytes)


Subscribe to the Storymind.com
Writing Tip Newsletter!

Available at the Storymind Store:

Software for Mind Analysis & Problem Solving

Dramatica Pro

Dramatica DreamKit

Books:

Mental Relativity: The Story Mind

Audio:

Mental Sex

Products for writers based on the Story Mind Theory

Accessories:

Dramatica Software Companion CD ROM

20 Hour Dramatica Course on One CD ROM!

Dramatica Theory Basics 2-hour CD Set

Writing with the Story Mind CD

Books:

Dramatica Tips & Tricks Book

Dramatica Theory Book