India, Feb. 11 -- Every year, the World Book Fair presents itself as a grand celebration of literature, promising diversity, critical engagement, and a space for dialogue. Yet, as one walks through its bustling halls, it becomes clear that the fair operates less like an intellectual arena and more like a marketplace. Books are displayed like any other commodity, their placement determined by sales potential rather than literary merit. The space, ostensibly meant to foster reading culture, instead prioritizes market-driven aesthetics - virality over depth, trendiness over criticality, and profit over engagement.

The fair's organization mirrors the logic of digital platforms where algorithms dictate visibility and engagement, reinforcing w...