Time To Say Goodbye (Not) Reading in the Time of Robots with Celine Nguyen and Leif Weatherby
Dec 17, 2025
Celine Nguyen, an insightful cultural commentator, and Leif Weatherby, a leading voice in digital theory, tackle the decline of reading in the age of AI. They discuss generational shifts in attention and the resurgence of long-form literature amidst modern distractions. Leif delves into the complex interplay between literacy and media, while Celine highlights how online communities foster self-education. The duo also debates the cultural implications of AI authorship, emphasizing the need for deeper engagement with literature in a rapidly changing media landscape.
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Reading Versus Literacy
- Reading decline debates conflate reading quantity with deep literacy and attention skills.
- Short-form media increases word exposure but fragments capacity to follow long arguments.
Internet As Discovery Engine
- Social media can both erode attention and create counter-movements craving longform works.
- People use platforms to discover niche authors and self-educate outside elite institutions.
Students With Cameras, Not Phones
- Leif described students carrying digital cameras to avoid phones while still using TikTok knowledge.
- This shows young people's mix of rejecting screens yet deeply inhabiting platform-driven culture.