Paul Cameron

Cofounder, Booktrack

Search every verified Paul Cameron interview, podcast appearance, and on-the-record quote — each transcript cross-checked by AI and human review to confirm speaker identity. In a 2012 TEDxAuckland talk, Paul Cameron, cofounder of Booktrack, described reading as being "in a crisis" and argued that many people who can read are choosing not to. He cited statistics that 33% of high school graduates and 42% of college graduates in the United States never read another book after graduation. Cameron stated that Booktrack, which he described as "adding a soundtrack to a book," was invented in New Zealand as a solution to this problem. He explained that the technology provides a synchronized soundtrack that adapts to what a person is reading, including environmental sounds, sound effects, and music. Cameron said that a study by a New York University professor "proved categorically a significant increase in comprehension and retention" when reading with a soundtrack compared to reading without one. He stated that Booktrack is "the only enhancement to reading that's delivered to you while you read," and that other enhancements take the reader out of the experience. Cameron announced plans to make the tools for creating synchronized soundtracks available to the public, including children, authors, and audio professionals, saying the goal is to "inspire a new generation of readers to dream again and read again."