In the French city of Grenoble, don't expect to get a Mars Bar, a Lion Bar or a Kit Kat if you put change into a vending machine — you're more likely to get a piece of flash fiction. Short Édition, a nonprofit community publisher based in France, is planning to install a slew of kiosks that will dole out stories for citizens who are jonesing for a fix of bite-sized fiction on the go.
"The idea came to us in front of a vending machine containing chocolate bars and drinks," said Christophe Sibieude, CEO for the digital publisher and accompanying literary app, which touts over 140,000 users. "We said to ourselves that we could do the same thing with good quality popular literature to occupy these little unproductive moments."
While Short Édition is responsible for the abstract idea, the mayor of Grenoble — Green Party member Eric Piolle — is the force behind their installation. As per a collaborative implementation between the two, eight kiosks will be placed in public areas throughout the city, including social centers, municipal offices and — you guessed it — libraries. Each vending machine can print out one-, three- or five-minute stories on receipt paper, depending on which option the would-be reader chooses. Between the Short Édition dispenser and the average candy and soda-stocked vending machine, we can all safely say which option is healthier for the body — and better yet, the soul.
Via: Digital Trends
