The Realignment 582 | George Packer: The Emergency - The Post-Literate Age and the Unwinding of American Liberalism
Nov 11, 2025
George Packer, a staff writer at The Atlantic and author, delves into the themes of literature and the decline of American liberalism. He defines the post-literate age, exploring how technology diminishes attention spans and the importance of deep reading. Discussing his novel, The Emergency, he emphasizes generational divides and the impact of boredom amidst societal collapse. Packer also critiques how liberalism has alienated ordinary people and advocates for storytelling as a means to restore civic trust in politics.
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Post-Literacy Threatens Democratic Thought
- Digital communication is shifting from text to images, short videos, and symbols, which weakens deep reading habits.
- Mass literacy supported democratic governance, and shrinking attention threatens our ability to imagine and govern well.
Deliberately Disconnect To Read And Write
- Resist device distraction to preserve the habit of deep reading and long-form thought.
- Use practical steps (disable internet, put phone in another room) to regain sustained attention for writing or reading.
A Fable About Empire Collapsing From Boredom
- The Emergency is a political fable set in an unnamed Empire that collapses from boredom and loss of faith.
- It tracks a surgeon, his wife, and their children as city and country youth movements clash and violence follows.
