creative readings
Alisa Mary Marko (amm9s@darwin.clas.Virginia.EDU)
Wed, 14 Feb 1996 13:59:33 -0500 (EST)
I think creative hypertext is very interesting, but I am
uncovinced it will even do anything that comes close to
"replacing" real books. Hypertext fiction serves a different
puropose than books, so while people may participate in it
enjoyably, it won't be the same experience as reading a
traditional book (difference here not implying inferiority or
superiority). (I am not referring to reading books from a
computer that have been simply put there in their original
form. I really don't see the book as a physical object, except
in a sentimental sense - that is, I will always want to own and
be able to feel and cherish my favorite books. However, I think
the convenience and flexibility of having a portable,
electronic and potentially infinite library is incredible.)
For instance, I was fascinated by the examples of
hypertext fiction in the reading this week. I jumped right into
them, and I understand what an experience it would be to be
able to add to the branching storylines. I see this as exciting
not only for creative purposes, but for educational ones - in
classrooms and in scientific or other workplaces - anywhere
problem solving has to happen. But I ramble.
As to Joyce's (at least I think that's where it was!)
comment as to all text being hypertext - maybe, but not like
the possibilities offered by electronic hypertext. I remember
"Choose you own adventure" books, and they were cool, but after
a while you had all the possibilites memorized so it no longer
worked. The mention of the inclusion of "anti-cheat" programs
in hypertext fiction amused me, but I see how it's important as
well. Especially if it's a participatory-type thing.
Back to the "use" (that's not the right word) for
hypertext fiction: I think the experience of these tree
fictions is a very different one from reading a novel, although
this could be my newness to the form. For instance, I've been
devouring some old novels lately that are the type that I just
lose myself in - it's an escape experience, really. And that
didn't happen with the tree fictions - I found, as James
mentioned, too many distractions. (I don't know what color I
want the gloves to be!) But perhaps the right hypertext could
draw me in, so that I would escape, and become one of those
souls who disappear into the internet...
So the possibilities of tree fictions are fascinating.
But I don't want to accept the death of the author thing. Like
the Indigo Girls song asserts, in reading the work of one
author we make a connection to that person on a rather personal
level across time and space. That's important to my reading
experience. Of course, perhaps with hypertext, we'll be making
connections with lots and lots of people across cyberspace and
time? It's very intriguing. I think the idea of getting
everyone in the world to make a "branch" (put forth in "Page to
Pixel") would make a great sci-fi novel...
ok, I've really be hashing out my thoughts.
Looking forward to our discussion on friday
Alisa