In the future, Bolter envisions a WWW in which "verbal rhetoric" is replaced
by "visual rhetoric." His focus remains on the interface and appearance of
the page itself rather than the format of information within the page.
Bolter sees a WWW with interactive pictures and movies instead of
replication of print media; however, these forms replicate linear forms
currently present in non-electronic media. Bolter's contrast between ironic
and realistic design emphasize his focus on the appearance of the page or
the nature of the information on the page, rather than an analysis of how
the information itself is formatted.
I would have liked to have seen Bolter explore the potential of hypertext on
the WWW as a non-linear, non-hierarchal system unlike any system existing in
current media. This would fit his paradigm of a new technology mimicking
current media before coming into its own. Unfortunately, he resorts to
predicting a higher form of imitation rather than searching for a unique
form. Other authors, including Burnett, have searched and described this
form in ways which Bolter failed to see.