"Right—the one about protagonists, and gray hair."

At writers' group they are discussing the fact that some novelists are creating more story lines that feature heroes and heroines over 50.

"Because most readers are over 50 now. Isn't that sad?"

"That's so sad."

"Um." I find myself speaking again, something I try not to do at writers' group when I'm not actually reading my work. "How is this sad? People are living longer. We're not dying as young. Why does this depress you?"

"Because," one of them explains, "it means that young people don't really read any more."

"Um, no. It means that there aren't as many of them in this country as there are middle-aged folks."

They look at me, and I realize that they are completely unaware of the broader demographic trends that underlie the statistics they're quoting. And, once more, I shut up and let them play "ain't it awful." But it's boring.

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