Remember The Matrix? That 1999 cult sci-fi movie starring Keanu Reeves and Laurence Fishburne. There's something happening today, here in 2025, that feels slightly like that synthetic world. Not just social media, but now with AI becoming part of every digital space, we could be trapped inside a simulated, controlled world and not realize it.

So in this podcast I wanted to shed some light in those parallels in which we users --heavy users, I should say-- of social media are often echoing what others are saying, reluctant to express our individuality, simply 'Liking,' sharing, and re-posting material that crosses our path. It's also a call to reflect on what values and digital skills we are passing on to the children.

It's as if we're one nation, under attack. Cyber attacks are so common, we tend to dismiss them as someone else's problem. Until it isn't. Our home, our workplace, our identity, our social media account. What have you done lately to ward off the next hack? What if you're identity has already been compromised?

If the answer is 'nothing' then you should listen to two people on this show who are embedded in the complex, murky world of cybersecurity. Michael Emery is senior systems administrator at Benjamin Franklin Charter Schools. Spencer Luke is a security analyst at Microsoft overseeing very large groups. They give us valuable insight into who might be after our data and how to safeguard it.

On this show, hear from three writers I met during a recent visit to Sri Lanka.

Tyron Devotta, a former journalist is about to publish a book set during World War 2 in Ceylon. He talks about the role of the writer in a time when the audience's reding habits are changing.

Shannel Pinidiya, still a student, talks about the construction of her complex novel, and how she got into historical fiction writer at an early age.

Lal Medawattegedara, senior lecturer at the Open University of Sri Lanka. His book, "When Ghosts Die," was shortlisted for a Gratiaen Award this year.

I also like to promote two organization.

First Story, a London based outfit partners with schools to nurture young writers.

Write The World, based in the US, is an organization I support. My students to participate in their projects.

The Gratiaen Trust organizes workshops for writers and editors, has outreach programs, and holds an annual book awards.

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Spending time in Sri Lanka helped me reconnect with many of my friends and colleagues in advertising, media and journalism. I was fortunate to be able to attend the Gratiaen Awards in June. It was inspiring to see how book publishing and authors have evolved, despite the constant complaints that "nobody reads anymore!"

SHOW NOTES: To Find out more about these:

1. 1. The Gratiaen Awards, Sri Lanka: https://www.gratiaen.com
2. Tyron Devotta - http://www.media360.lk
3. Shannel Pinidiya - "Dear Leo" (2024) Dear Leo - Jam Fruit Tree Publications
4. Lal Medawattegedara - Open University of Sri Lanka.

1. Radio 201 - Angelo Fernando - Radio 201 Podcasts

2. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/radio201/id1565037153

3. First Story, UK - FirstStory.org.UK
4. Write The World, US - WriteTheWorld.Org