It seems that this medium elicits a need to figure out where
the technology of information exchange is headed, due to the
possibility of its "theoretically infinite" possibilities as
well as availability.
Does this breakdown (and by breakdown I mean that point at
which we do not act due to consideration or rational choice but
out of a state of being--as the article described), occur
only because the analytical commentators of the world have
suddenly been supplied with a confusing technology that
provides ample space for hyper-literate wordplay?
Or is there really a uniqueness to this medium. Is the
expression of meaning transformed forever because we can link
documents at any point and travel through a never ending series
of words without knowing which way is forward? I agree with
whoever it was that said that the linear formatt is still the
most precise way to convey certain types of information.
Perhaps in the end, after the technology grows into itself, we
will find ourselves in the same vastly confusing world that the
writers of books have captured for us for hundreds of years.
Just initial thoughts. . .
the " Poles in your face " article for this week I think
addresses some of my concerns--as a new medium hypertext will
be explored as in Michael Joyce's story afternoon, which Jurgen
Fauth notes "is an allegory to readeing hyperfiction."
Thrownnes
Chesney Floyd