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# The Return of Oral Culture
- URL: https://www.howardgray.net/the-return-of-oral-culture/
- Published: 2026-02-05T14:16:10.000Z
- Updated: 2026-02-05T14:16:09.000Z
- Description: Speech is becoming the skill that matters. What do we need to get better at?
- Author: Howard Gray
- Tags: Future Of Work, Culture & Insights

Tyler Cowen has been saying this for a while, and I'm inclined to agree: we're in the middle of a shift to an oral culture.

I reckon this worth paying attention to - it reshapes a whole load of stuff.

Oral culture means a shift to speech. To listening.

Elocution. Events. Public speaking. Languages. Persuasion. Storybuilding. Active listening.

Accents. Podcasts. Voicenotes. Songs, even.

In a world where oral culture matters more than ever, what do we need to get better at?

P.S. We have a few ideas at [Wavetable](https://www.wavetable.net/?ref=howardgray.net). Our hands-on skills sessions hit many of the parts of oral culture - via games, drills, scenarios. It's the flight simulator for business skills.

P.P.S. Yes, this post is indeed written.