So well said, Sarah! I haven't read the Marriott article but I would push back a little on the idea that all screen time represents 'theft of knowledge'. After all, many readers now access novels and learning via screens - either through ebooks or audio. Sure, mindless scrolling isn't great but occasionally my kids will share something they've learned online and it's not always rubbish. But I do take the point that AI represents a significant and transformative change to the production and consumption of books. We can't quite know what the future holds and I'm not sure there's much point catastrophising about a post-literate world - this just makes me feel anxious about something I can't really control. What I know is that it's human instinct to create - art, books, music etc - and it has been this way since the dawn of time. Perhaps our audiences' 'consumption' of art will change and perhaps it will be more difficult to ask readers to buy our work when there's much available for free and the market is cluttered. Again, I don't get to control this but I can encourage my kids, my family and everyone in my circle to keep reading books because they are a social good. And I will keep writing because it satisfies an urge in me that nothing else can satisfy.
Thanks for this Cassie. I agree that not all screen time is bad, it's all about how we use it. We are definitely a screen and audio family here (in part because dyslexia means we have visual learners!). I love the way you set out your stall here - I'm doing the same, just keeping going, and learning along the way!
'The truly post-literate world begins only if the current generation of authors stops believing in what they’re doing, not because the population doesn’t read Dickens and Austen as much any more.’ << this! Thanks for the reminder xx
Thanks for the tip on Goodall.
A beautiful and timely piece. Thank you.
Glad you liked this one. I'm going to rewatch that interview with my family x
Same, am saving to watch with husband
So well said, Sarah! I haven't read the Marriott article but I would push back a little on the idea that all screen time represents 'theft of knowledge'. After all, many readers now access novels and learning via screens - either through ebooks or audio. Sure, mindless scrolling isn't great but occasionally my kids will share something they've learned online and it's not always rubbish. But I do take the point that AI represents a significant and transformative change to the production and consumption of books. We can't quite know what the future holds and I'm not sure there's much point catastrophising about a post-literate world - this just makes me feel anxious about something I can't really control. What I know is that it's human instinct to create - art, books, music etc - and it has been this way since the dawn of time. Perhaps our audiences' 'consumption' of art will change and perhaps it will be more difficult to ask readers to buy our work when there's much available for free and the market is cluttered. Again, I don't get to control this but I can encourage my kids, my family and everyone in my circle to keep reading books because they are a social good. And I will keep writing because it satisfies an urge in me that nothing else can satisfy.
Thanks for this Cassie. I agree that not all screen time is bad, it's all about how we use it. We are definitely a screen and audio family here (in part because dyslexia means we have visual learners!). I love the way you set out your stall here - I'm doing the same, just keeping going, and learning along the way!
'The truly post-literate world begins only if the current generation of authors stops believing in what they’re doing, not because the population doesn’t read Dickens and Austen as much any more.’ << this! Thanks for the reminder xx
🫶🏼