Politics has always been a popularity contest
TICKETS £10 (plus booking fee)
Politics has always been a popularity contest—more about charisma and storytelling than facts or manifestos. Throughout history, politicians have harnessed the latest communication technologies to shape public perception: FDR’s Fireside Chats on the radio, JFK’s televised debates with Richard Nixon, and Donald Trump’s mastery of social media. Each era proves that whoever controls the narrative controls the power.
In today’s post-truth age of “alternative facts” and AI deepfakes, the ability to know what is true - and what is right - is becoming increasingly complicated. Recent US events - from the recent ICE shootings to figures like Charlie Kirk and the Capitol Riots - are interpreted in radically different ways, depending entirely on political persuasion. The same event can exist as two opposing stories at once, leaving people angry and polarised.
While the left often appeals to fairness, logic, and evidence, the right frequently leverages emotion, loyalty, and repetition, shaping how events are perceived before facts can catch up. Donald Trump’s “flood the zone” strategy - overwhelming the media with multiple stories and controversies - seems to be winning this battle. As Clay Shirky observed, “we brought fact-checkers to a culture war,” only to discover that facts rarely win on their own.
Join award-winning Journalist, James Ball, and narrative expert, John Yorke, as they explore the mechanics of political storytelling on both the right and the left, examining why some narratives stick while others falter. They’ll discuss how stories are shaped and why understanding narrative structure, in a digital world driven by offence and outrage, is as crucial as understanding the facts themselves.
JAMES BALL
James is an award-winning journalist and author whose work focuses on politics, power, and the impact of technology on democracy. A former reporter for The Guardian, he was part of the team awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Public Service for reporting on the Edward Snowden revelations.
He is the author of several books, including Post-Truth: How Bullshit Conquered the World, and is a regular commentator on UK and international media, analysing how information, misinformation, and power shape public life.
JOHN YORKE
John is one of the world’s leading experts on narrative, known for his work analysing how stories function and why they resonate with audiences. His book Into the Woods: How Stories Work and Why We Tell Them has sold over 250,000 copies worldwide.
He is the former Controller of BBC Drama Production and former Head of Drama at Channel 4, and has won numerous awards, including BAFTAs and a Golden Globe.
Yorke founded the BBC Writers Academy in 2005 to train new screenwriting talent in the UK, and it has since produced a generation of successful writers.
John will be signing copies of his latest book, Trip to the Moon, which will be available to purchase on the night. This event will take place downstairs in The Tusk Room at The Walrus Pub, Brighton. Unfortunately there is no wheelchair access available at this venue.
DOORS OPEN : 19:00
TALK STARTS : 19:30
AUDIENCE Q&A : 20:30
BOOK SIGNING : 21:00