Rescuing the 'post-literate' generation and what ancient philosophers say about aliens

The data shows we're reading less than ever. About one in three Australian school students isn't developing the reading skills they need, and the shift reflects a broader global trend. Across the board, there are signs the next generation is just not interested in picking up a book, and historian and podcaster Dominic Sandbrook is concerned we're headed for a "post-literate" society. So does it matter if we've fallen out of love with reading? And what can we do to reverse the trend?Is there a place from your youth that feels like a sacred space? For Alistair Miller, it's the Corio Skate Bowls — built in 1980 as the first public skate park in Victoria, after he and his mates lobbied the local council to give them a space to burn off steam. Decades later, it's been earmarked for heritage protection. So what have we learned about creating public spaces for teenagers, and how do we protect them?The return of humans into space has reignited an age old question: is there extra-terrestrial life out there? And if we find it, what happens next? Resident Life Matters philosopher Patrick Stokes mulls over ethical quandaries of space exploration and alien life.