A myth or parable’s PTT is high when taken metaphorically. Stories developed about events common to a specific Belief System or broadly to the human experience are skillful technology that accomplishes more than communicating information. Our social nature and imagination mean we internalize these stories. Characters may seem real. High emotional engagement can make us feel like witnesses to the events, embedding the information more deeply.

Humans also have many stories with low PTT. Conspiracies serve no real purpose outside social bonding, manipulating emotions, and provoking behavior which is often concerning. Fear, rather than the caution provoked by a parable, is an easily exploited state. In capitalism, much wealth can be gained by convincing others that you are selling a solution to a problem.

Creative storytelling and pattern recognition are inherent to humans. Earnest engagement of these human abilities can make for mostly harmless but low PTT stories–which may include Atlantis, Tartaria, many UAP and alien experiences, Thoth, and more. If individuals enjoy these stories without excessive fear or any exploitation, they are mostly harmless.

• Religious tithing can be prosocial if funding programs for a community, but often become exploitative.