Are books still relevant? In answer to alarming statistics about the decline of reading, the UK government is on a mission to reaffirm the importance of the written word.
Government launches reading inquiry
Shelf awareness: Research confirms overwhelmingly that reading physical, paper books enhances cognitive function, develops empathy, and contributes to mental well-being. Glossary
Premise - Set-up. The basis from which a story begins.
Dystopian - Relating to an imagined society where there is great suffering or injustice.
Inquiry - Asking for information. Also used to refer to long official investigations.
Conspiracy theories - Theories that explain world events by blaming shady groups of powerful people operating in secret. Some conspiracy theories have a basis in fact, but many more of them are completely invented. What is more, they often play on dangerous prejudices such as antisemitism. It's worth being especially cautious and critical when you come across accounts that ascribe enormous agency to small and secretive groups.