Shallow Dives

Anton Chekhov's simple rule about rifles on walls transformed storytelling—and reveals how our minds demand that details matter. Understanding this principle changes how you consume stories and construct meaning in your own life.

When you're absorbed in a good story, you're not just entertained—you're neurologically transported into a different reality. This phenomenon, called narrative transportation, explains why fiction can change your real-world beliefs more effectively than facts alone.

You aren't just a person who tells stories—you are, in a very real sense, the story you tell about yourself. Narrative identity theory reveals how we construct our sense of self through an internal life story, complete with themes, turning points, and character arcs.