Dialogue in the Digital Age

This book examines how dialogue influences personal, political, and religious dimensions of life, highlighting the erosion of literacy in the digital era.

In Dialogue in the Digital Age, Patrick Grant explores the profound impact of dialogue on human experience, intertwining literary criticism, anthropology, and cognitive science. The book argues that our identities and interactions are fundamentally shaped by the dialogues we engage in, reflecting on how these conversations span personal, political, and religious dimensions. As digital technology advances, the erosion of literacy becomes a pressing concern, prompting a reevaluation of how we communicate and connect with one another.

Grant meticulously traces the evolution of communication skills, examining the intricate relationships between tragedy, language limitations, and the silence of abjection. He draws on literary examples from figures like Malory and Shakespeare to illustrate how literature embodies the core values of dialogue. By addressing contemporary issues such as “truth decay” in journalism and declining literacy rates, the author highlights the critical need for maintaining complex reading and interpretive skills as a means to recover and appreciate the essence of dialogue in our lives.

This book engages with ongoing debates regarding the significance of literature and the humanities in the face of digitalization. It serves as a valuable resource for scholars and practitioners across various fields, including literary studies, communication studies, digital humanities, social policy, and anthropology. Dialogue in the Digital Age encourages a deeper understanding of how dialogue shapes our social fabric and personal identities in an increasingly digital world.