99% Invisible The Universal Page
Jul 2, 2019
Andrew Leland, a reporter and editor at McSweeney’s, is on a poignant journey as he navigates the challenges of impending blindness. He shares a heartfelt exploration of how blind people experience literature, discussing the evolution of reading technologies, including the innovative optifone that transforms text into sound. Leland also highlights key figures like Louis Braille and the historical impact of education for the blind, emphasizing the fusion of sound, music, and language, and the need for inclusivity in literature.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Andrew's Print Passion
- Andrew Leland, a book lover since childhood, worked at McSweeney's.
- His passion for print extended to the aesthetics of text layout.
Going Blind
- Andrew Leland is slowly going blind due to a degenerative retinal disease.
- This has sparked his interest in how blind people experience literature.
History of Blind Reading
- The history of blind reading reveals a tension between replicating print and creating new tactile languages.
- Sighted designers often struggle to create truly effective systems for blind readers.