The tidbits of popular inspiration roll through twitter and facebook in a nearly constant stream.  You want your stuff retweeted or shared through the networks?  Come up with a bit of folk enlightenment, maybe put it into a jpg pic as a “meme” (horrible mis-use of that word!).  Keep it simple – a quick saying or maybe a set of “tips” devoid of heavy philosophy that could wear down a bizzy day.  It could be a Bible verse or a simple admonishment to be a more decent person.

There’s nothing wrong with this sort of stuff, and it probably has been present throughout the history of human interaction.  But the volume and popularity of these sorts of things leads me to wonder if there isn’t a hunger for spirituality and connection that is missing from the ordinary grind of the day.  There appears to be a missing presence in the moment, a sense that ghosts float past our conscience whispering a calling to be a better part of the world.

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It is the most basic of all stories, common to every culture and probably written first in our genes.  The Hero’s Journey is a powerful tale of destiny, determination, usually reluctance and doubt, culminating in a victory that inspires and gives great gifts to the world.  It can be told as Luke Skywalker or Harry Potter, over and over again, with infinite variation.

What is less obvious is that, as a powerful archetype, it is also used to sell.

The Hero’s Journey is important to much advertising, especially when it comes to political campaigns.  It is worth getting to know at the gut level it springs from not just to sell people and things, but also for its effect on the narrative that shapes our world.

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