What mice can teach you about public speaking

Universe 25: Why Perfect Worlds Make Terrible Stories

In the 1970s, researcher John B. Calhoun created Universe 25 — a utopia for mice. Food, water, shelter: all provided. No predators, no struggle. At first, the population boomed. But over time, things went wrong. Social order broke down. The mice stopped reproducing, stopped interacting, and the entire colony collapsed.

So what does this have to do with storytelling — or public speaking?

Everything.

Stories thrive on tension, challenges, and stakes. A world without conflict isn’t just unnatural — it’s boring. As a speaker, don’t be afraid to highlight the obstacles in your journey, the moments of discomfort, the risks you took. These are the elements that pull your audience in and keep them invested.

Universe 25 teaches us that a conflict-free existence isn’t just unsustainable — it’s forgettable. The same goes for your stories. Embrace the mess. That’s where meaning lives.