--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: People don't think in terms of…" description: "\"People don't think in terms of information. They think in terms of narratives. But while people focus on the story itself, information comes along for ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/50b/jonah-berger-25324_along-for-the-ride_people-don-t-think-in-terms-of-informati_3063446.png" --- # People don't think in terms of information. They think in… ![“People don't think in terms of information. They think in terms of narratives. But while people focus on the story itself, information comes along for the ride.” quote by Jonah Berger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/50b/jonah-berger-25324_along-for-the-ride_people-don-t-think-in-terms-of-informati_3063446.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/50b/jonah-berger-25324_along-for-the-ride_people-don-t-think-in-terms-of-informati_3063446.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/50b/jonah-berger-25324_along-for-the-ride_people-don-t-think-in-terms-of-informati_3063446.png) > “People don't think in terms of information. They think in terms of narratives. But while people focus on the story itself, information comes along for the ride.” [Jonah Berger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonah-berger/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. People process reality through stories, so information is best delivered within a narrative framework. **In simple terms:** Stories shape how we think about facts. Key Takeaway Use narratives to convey information effectively. Themes communication storytelling information Mood thoughtful analytical Type explanatory insightful When to use this quote - advertising - education - political speeches - social media posts Key Concepts cognitive psychology narrative theory media studies Questions to Reflect On - How can we balance story appeal with factual accuracy? - When does narrative bias mislead? A Different Perspective Narratives can oversimplify complex data. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Along for the ride](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/along-for-the-ride/) [Data](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/data/) [Focus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/focus/) [Marketing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/marketing/) [Narrative](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/narrative/) [Narratives](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/narratives/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Stories](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stories/) [Storytelling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/storytelling/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) ## Related quotes > [I just want different narratives for people of color, especially women of color. I just want something that's different. I don't want us to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/viola-davis/i-just-want-different-narratives-for-people-of-color-especially-women/) [Viola Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/viola-davis/) > [If we need simple narratives so people can amplify and spread them, are we forced to engage only with the simplest of problems?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ethan-zuckerman/if-we-need-simple-narratives-so-people-can-amplify-and-spread-them/) [Ethan Zuckerman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ethan-zuckerman/) > [I think that through the narratives of other people you get closer to your own.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chath-piersath/i-think-that-through-the-narratives-of-other-people-you-get-closer-to/) [Chath Piersath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chath-piersath/) > [I am and always have been fascinated with people, and I have a very good time coming up with the narratives of people's lives,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bennett-miller/i-am-and-always-have-been-fascinated-with-people-and-i-have-a-very/) [Bennett Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bennett-miller/) > [I've been trying to immerse myself in the narratives of other people. I try to not isolate myself as much. It is really hard.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carrie-brownstein/i-ve-been-trying-to-immerse-myself-in-the-narratives-of-other-people/) [Carrie Brownstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carrie-brownstein/) > [Large-budget movies start to lose focus on the story and the actors, and it becomes purely about the visual, or CGI, or framing with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cameron-monaghan/large-budget-movies-start-to-lose-focus-on-the-story-and-the-actors/) [Cameron Monaghan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cameron-monaghan/) > [I've tried to shut myself off as much as possible from the hype of 'War Horse,' and just thought, 'OK, I'm going to focus…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cody-fern/i-ve-tried-to-shut-myself-off-as-much-as-possible-from-the-hype-of/) [Cody Fern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cody-fern/) > [Some people focus more on sonics. Some people focus more on story. I focus on both sonics and story.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-ocean/some-people-focus-more-on-sonics-some-people-focus-more-on-story-i-2/) [Frank Ocean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-ocean/) > [Perhaps your best work will come only after you side-step your ego and focus on someone else's story for awhile, and how you can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/perhaps-your-best-work-will-come-only-after-you-side-step-your-ego/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Cinema and the arts invite viewers to focus on a story and, in doing so, peel away its layers and peer into the depths…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/forest-whitaker/cinema-and-the-arts-invite-viewers-to-focus-on-a-story-and-in-doing/) [Forest Whitaker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/forest-whitaker/) > [Some people focus more on sonics. Some people focus more on story. I focus on both sonics and story, but music sometimes, just music…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-ocean/some-people-focus-more-on-sonics-some-people-focus-more-on-story-i/) [Frank Ocean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-ocean/) > [When, in the third book, we do learn the identity of the Blue Rose murderer, the information comes in a muted, nearly off-hand manner,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-straub/when-in-the-third-book-we-do-learn-the-identity-of-the-blue-rose/) [Peter Straub](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-straub/) > [“The most interesting information comes from children, for they tell all they know and then stop. Mark Twain”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerd-gigerenzer/the-most-interesting-information-comes-from-children-for-they-tell-2/) [Gerd Gigerenzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerd-gigerenzer/) > [I read so much data. There's so much information that comes my way. And there's got to be a way for me to delegate…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-j-lundgren/i-read-so-much-data-there-s-so-much-information-that-comes-my-way-and/) [Terry J. Lundgren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-j-lundgren/) > [The most interesting information comes from children, for they tell all they know and then stop.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/the-most-interesting-information-comes-from-children-for-they-tell/) [Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/) ## More by Jonah Berger > [Connecting with others is rewarding; it makes us feel like we're not alone in the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonah-berger/connecting-with-others-is-rewarding-it-makes-us-feel-like-we-re-not/) [Jonah Berger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonah-berger/) > [People don't need to be paid to be motivated.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonah-berger/people-don-t-need-to-be-paid-to-be-motivated/) [Jonah Berger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonah-berger/) > [“Useful things are important. People don’t just value practical information, they share it. Offering practical value helps make things contagious.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonah-berger/useful-things-are-important-people-don-t-just-value-practical/) [Jonah Berger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonah-berger/) > [“So to get people talking, companies and organizations need to mint social currency. Give people a way to make themselves look good while promoting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonah-berger/so-to-get-people-talking-companies-and-organizations-need-to-mint/) [Jonah Berger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonah-berger/) > [“The mere fact that something isn't readily available can make people value it more and tell others to capitalize on the social currency of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonah-berger/the-mere-fact-that-something-isn-t-readily-available-can-make-people/) [Jonah Berger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonah-berger/) > [If something is built to show, it's build to grow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonah-berger/if-something-is-built-to-show-it-s-build-to-grow/) [Jonah Berger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonah-berger/) > [Virality isn't luck. It's not magic. And it's not random. There's a science behind why people talk and share. A recipe. A formula, even.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonah-berger/virality-isn-t-luck-it-s-not-magic-and-it-s-not-random-there-s-a/) [Jonah Berger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonah-berger/) > [“Even in cases where most people are doing the right thing, talking about the minority who are doing the wrong thing can encourage people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonah-berger/even-in-cases-where-most-people-are-doing-the-right-thing-talking/) [Jonah Berger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonah-berger/) > [“Contagious content is like that—so inherently viral that it spreads regardless of who is doing the talking.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonah-berger/contagious-content-is-like-that-so-inherently-viral-that-it-spreads/) [Jonah Berger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonah-berger/) > [“Give people a way to make themselves look good while promoting their products and ideas along the way. There are three ways to do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonah-berger/give-people-a-way-to-make-themselves-look-good-while-promoting-their/) [Jonah Berger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonah-berger/) > [Marketing is about spreading the love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonah-berger/marketing-is-about-spreading-the-love/) [Jonah Berger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonah-berger/) > [“Our desire to share helpful things is so powerful that it can make even false ideas succeed. Sometimes the drive to help takes a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonah-berger/our-desire-to-share-helpful-things-is-so-powerful-that-it-can-make/) [Jonah Berger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonah-berger/) > [“Harnessing the power of word of mouth, online or offline, requires understand why people talk and why some things get talked about and shared…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonah-berger/harnessing-the-power-of-word-of-mouth-online-or-offline-requires/) [Jonah Berger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonah-berger/) > [“When we care, we share.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonah-berger/when-we-care-we-share/) [Jonah Berger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonah-berger/) > [“Word of mouth is more effective than traditional advertising for two key reasons. First, it’s more persuasive. Second, word of mouth is more targeted.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonah-berger/word-of-mouth-is-more-effective-than-traditional-advertising-for-two/) [Jonah Berger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonah-berger/) [Explore all 23 Jonah Berger quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonah-berger/) ## More Along for the ride quotes > [Sometimes a question can hurt more than an answer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-dessen/sometimes-a-question-can-hurt-more-than-an-answer/) [Sarah Dessen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-dessen/) > [“It's never fifty-fifty in a marriage. Someone falls in love first. Someone puts someone else up on a pedestal. Someone works hard to keep…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jodi-picoult/it-s-never-fifty-fifty-in-a-marriage-someone-falls-in-love-first/) [jodi picoult](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jodi-picoult/) > ['Faithfully' speaks to me. It's about a guy who's busy with his work, always on the road, but I'm still completely into you. If…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/myles-garrett/faithfully-speaks-to-me-it-s-about-a-guy-who-s-busy-with-his-work/) [Myles Garrett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/myles-garrett/) > [“And you think you can help me find my way?” He shook his head, his eyes went warm and I got another neck squeeze,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kristen-ashley/and-you-think-you-can-help-me-find-my-way-he-shook-his-head-his-eyes/) [Kristen Ashley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kristen-ashley/) > [“This is a 911? You know you only text that when someone is dead or dying. You scared the crap out of me.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-dessen/this-is-a-911-you-know-you-only-text-that-when-someone-is-dead-or/) [Sarah Dessen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-dessen/) > [You know it's never fifty-fifty in a marriage. It's always seventy-thirty, or sixty-forty. Someone falls in love first. Someone puts someone else up on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jodi-picoult/you-know-it-s-never-fifty-fifty-in-a-marriage-it-s-always-seventy/) [Jodi Picoult](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jodi-picoult/) > [You've got all these characters and yet, you're hovering over one character like a fly over a stinky diaper. Realize that you've got a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-wendig/you-ve-got-all-these-characters-and-yet-you-re-hovering-over-one/) [Chuck Wendig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-wendig/) > [“Life…Isn't a roller coaster, it isn't unexpected or surprising. It's not a free ticket to go along for the ride... Simply put, Life is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bilal-hussain/life-isn-t-a-roller-coaster-it-isn-t-unexpected-or-surprising-it-s/) Bilal Hussain > [I'm a storyteller... I haves a God-given gift that I can share with you and perhaps entertain you and bring you along for the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kurt-sutter/i-m-a-storyteller-i-haves-a-god-given-gift-that-i-can-share-with-you/) [Kurt Sutter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kurt-sutter/) > [“Then he picks up the first book and holds it so Peter can read the title. I Hadn’t Meant to Tell You This Peter…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-levithan/then-he-picks-up-the-first-book-and-holds-it-so-peter-can-read-the/) [David Levithan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-levithan/) > [ I was lucky to come along for the ride. \[My mother\] really is an amazing woman. And the world we lived in in South… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/trevor-noah/i-was-lucky-to-come-along-for-the-ride-my-mother-really-is-an-amazing/) [Trevor Noah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/trevor-noah/) > [“Need to get to Ruislip by sparrow-fart though', said the squadron leader. 'Think you can do that? Can I come along for the ride?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-rankin/need-to-get-to-ruislip-by-sparrow-fart-though-said-the-squadron/) [Robert Rankin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-rankin/) > [“It is the role of the BCYF caseworker to simply go along for the ride, so that if by some miracle it reaches the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jodi-picoult/it-is-the-role-of-the-bcyf-caseworker-to-simply-go-along-for-the-ride/) [Jodi Picoult](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jodi-picoult/) > [The ones that I love of 'I Love Lucy' are when one of them decides they need something, and the other one is along…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lennon-parham/the-ones-that-i-love-of-i-love-lucy-are-when-one-of-them-decides-they/) [Lennon Parham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lennon-parham/) > [People are fascinated about the world above them because it seems so out-of-reach. My jump gave them an opportunity to come along for the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/felix-baumgartner/people-are-fascinated-about-the-world-above-them-because-it-seems-so/) [Felix Baumgartner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/felix-baumgartner/) [Browse all 122 Along for the ride quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/along-for-the-ride/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "People don't think in terms of information. They think in terms of narratives. 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