From Pages to Playlists: Is Traditional Reading on Life Support?

Max Bennett and Lisa Vega tackle the age-old pastime that seems to be losing its grip in the age of podcasts, audiobooks, and infinite scroll. Has traditional reading become the latest casualty of our tech addiction, or are we just too lazy to turn a page? With e-readers and audio versions becoming the go-to for “reading” (while doing anything but sitting down with a book), we ask: are we evolving, or are we just dumbing down? Expect sharp analysis, dark humor, and a dash of sarcasm as we explore the cultural shift from pages to playlists—and whether actual reading might become a relic of the past. Note: This project explores the new creative potential unlocked by generative AI, showcasing how a single person, in just two hours, can curate (not create, but curate) a polished podcast series. I recognize the critiques around AI-generated content and the potential for digital clutter but invite you to take a listen on your next walk or drive and see what you think. Audio is AI-generated by Google's NotebookLM. Images by Dalle-3 and Magic Studio.