Writing is such an old and fundamental human activity that it is easy to forget how much it has changed over time. Only a few thousand years ago the written word had to be carved on to stone tablets, and could only be read by an elite priesthood. Just a few centuries ago the printing press allowed the first mass production of books, but still only a small percentage of people could read them. Just a hand full of decades ago, universal education and libraries allowed almost everyone in the developed world access to the written word. But even a few short years ago, the mass media meant that only a few people could be heard.

Read more and watch the presentation on the Writing Industries website.