What If We Lost Our Love For Books?

// Given at WI?02013 on Mar 2, 2013

Some of the most celebrated dystopian novels of the twentieth century toyed with the idea of a post-literary world in which books, and institutions of learning, were censored or outlawed entirely. Perhaps one of the greatest humanitarian achievements of the twentieth century was the explosion in worldwide literacy rates, yet non-literary activities occupy a far greater percentage of our free time. Why should we treat those dystopian novels as more than mere thought experiments? How did literature come to be outlawed in those dystopian worlds? Why is it important that we as individuals and as a culture push back?

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Andrew Robertson

Hobbyist Dreamer

Andrew's academic interests span from biology to Spanish literature to philosophy. If he is not absorbed in a class-related text book, you will probably find him talking about coffee and lattes - if you can find him. He may be making a latte instead of talking about one. Otherwise he is probably lost on a mountain bike trail, writing poetry or short stories, exercising, engaging in philosophical discourse, or wearing some other hat. He also invests himself in social and health care justice, medical ethics, sustainability, playing his trumpet, neuroscience, origami art, and making sure that everyone in the room is smiling. He will graduate from Westminster College in Fulton, MO this May.