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Art vs. Tech: Novels and Cartoons Question Screen Time
3 Jul
Summary
- Ben Lerner's novel "Transcription" critiques smartphone dependence.
- Toy Story 5 reflects concerns about children's screen time.
- Both works explore 21st-century anxiety driven by technology.
Ben Lerner's novel "Transcription," recently awarded the Orwell Prize for political fiction, delves into the pervasive influence of smartphones and digital media on modern life. The narrative, set during Covid, highlights how technology has rewired human attention and consciousness.
Coinciding with discussions about smartphone bans for minors in the UK, "Toy Story 5" also examines the impact of devices on childhood. Pixar's latest installment, from creators of the first computer-animated film, offers a timely caution against technology's encroachment.
Both "Transcription" and "Toy Story 5" steer clear of being anti-tech screeds. Instead, they encourage reflection on what might be lost, emphasizing that imagination and memory cannot be outsourced to artificial intelligence or digital platforms.
