What does it mean to be “cancelled” in the modern world? Using the sudden professional disappearance of David Walliams as a case study, this essay examines how institutions withdraw, how language disguises erasure, and how individuals survive when their name, role, or legacy is quietly removed.

Why does France defend authors while Britain backs “innovation”? The answer lies in two centuries of cultural philosophy: France treats creators as custodians of national identity; Britain views them as participants in a market. As AI reshapes publishing, these old instincts have re-emerged - with profound consequences for anyone who makes books.