Perelandra Bookshop’s reader-in-residence commits to reading at the store for two hours per week in exchange for a small coffee and book stipend

  • Neato
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    English
    104 months ago

    The overt goal of the residency is to foster a space for people to experience literature more thoughtfully. The underlying goal is to make them want to smash their phones with a sledgehammer.

    “We do so much reading now, but it’s mostly reading for information at best. At best. At worst it’s like a pure little shot of dopamine before moving to the next post,” said Steven Shafer, Perelandra’s current reader-in-residence. “It is almost the exact opposite of what I’ve gotten to experience here.”

    Yeah ok, no. Like I get trying to get more people to read books. I’m a reader and it’s a lot different than doom scrolling or whatever. But you’re never going to get people to not value their phones. We have a computer in our pocket that cannot be replicated by even the Library of Alexandria.

    • @BCsven@lemmy.ca
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      fedilink
      24 months ago

      If it wasn’t for work, I would toss my phone in the river. I often leave it purposely at home to enjoy a walk, ot games with friends (way netter with a no phone rule)