As for Ed Falco and creative hypertext in general, I liked the
idea that I as a reader was involved in the text. As opposed to
reading endless lines passively, if that's possible, of Pope or
someone equally as boring, in hypertextual works I feel drawn in
as I don't in Pope. The fact that I can manipulate the work is
very important. The hands-on aspect allows me to experience the
work aI wouldn't ordinarily be able to do in traditional creative
writing. Thus, I feel that I understand the writers point far
easier in hypertext. That said, I was a bit disappointed with
the navigatational tools provided with "SEa Island" and the other
work. With a more intuitive and less clumsy user interface,
hypertext would truly be more enjoyable for me than traditional
texts. This idea would be further realized with the perfection
of portable computers that would enable me to read in bed, the
car, on a plane, on the beach. Howeveit wouldn't allow others to
come up to you and make conversation based on the title of book
you have in your hand, furthering the idea that with all of these
advancements, human contact is rapidly diminishing. If you are a
hermit, this is good. Otherwise, well I don't know.
Austin Wallace