Seeing People As Stories by Aparajita

Seeing People As Stories by Aparajita - August 2018 Scholarship Essay

It was during my sophomore year that my friend got a car. That was great for her, but it was even better for me because I now had my own chauffeur. We’d drive from school to my house or to Wendy’s. Our conversations would vary in significance as sometimes we’d talk about the future and colleges and other times about silly things revolving around our classmates. Though the details of the conversations faded away like my money from my bank account, I vividly remember one time I brought up that I am terrified of making friends as an adult because I’ve gotten used to my friends and our shared humor. I added on that I probably am missing out on making more friends in high school because I enjoy staying and sitting tight with my friend group. She nodded and replied saying that I still have time and we went back to eating our fries and talking about the new seating chart and how unnecessary it was and how far we sat from each other. I should’ve picked up on the subtle irony of our entire conversation but it was easier to complain instead. That night I saw a post from one of my favorite Instagram accounts: Humans of New York. The account would post pictures of people from New York as well as other cities, and a small paragraph that gives a small look into their life. I’ve always loved those posts because it invites the idea that everyone on earth is living their individual lives; lives that are saturated with all sorts of emotions, contrasted with experiences they face, and how all of that is happening right this second. This has always made me feel warm all at once as if I am on a rollercoaster and my stomach performing backflips.
Evolution and anthropology have taught us that humans are social creatures and thrive off of interpersonal interactions. However, the definition of interactions has changed over the years as many people prefer interactions via social media rather than face-to-face. I, personally, feel much more comfortable online than face-to-face but it’s clear that the lack of ‘real life’ interactions has a big disadvantage. It has the potential to dehumanize others as many of us see our life as only our life when it is a web of interactions and interconnecting stories.
If I had to have a podcast, it would be me interviewing people on public transportation, me interviewing people in school, people I haven’t said a word to since elementary school, people waiting for their coffee or for the crosswalk light to change. I’d ask them what their favorite word is or when they learned to bike or swim. Small stuff that makes your world feel bigger yet still intimate. I would like to hear a small and maybe insignificant detail about their lives because ironically, those are the ones that mean the most.
I want this podcast so that people understand the magnitude of stories that are out there. It would help them learn and become inspired. In an increasingly fast-paced world, disconnects from society can make anyone feel lonely or scared for the future. However just knowing that someone’s favorite word is goulash or that they pronounce pecan the way that you do, can inspire anyone to step out and realize the potential awaiting outside of their daily commute or even their seating charts.