How do we restore our sense of wonder in media?

Ben Lerner’s new novel is all about how technology shapes memory and connection … and it kicks off when a guy breaks his phone. In Transcription , a man is conducting one final interview with his 90-year-old mentor and celebrated academic, Thomas. When the narrator accidentally breaks his phone before the interview, he can’t bring himself to admit it to Thomas. He does the interview anyway, pretending that he’s recording. Ben uses this premise to explore how technology can both store and destroy memory, and how the changing role of devices is altering our relationships with one another. This week, Ben joins Mattea Roach to talk about interrogating art and fatherhood, staying human in a world of devices and if technology can really capture true connection. Liked this conversation? Keep listening: 1 marriage, 2 mid-life crises … and a guy named Gluten Nnedi Okorafor: Bringing a writer to life in Death of the Author Check us out on Instagram @cbcbooks and TikTok @cbcbooks

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How do we restore our sense of wonder in media? is an episode from Writers and Company from CBC Radio by CBC.

This episode is 00:33:01 long.

This episode was published on Apr 22, 2026.

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