What is a Hypertext?
I remember
when I first learned about what a hypertext was. I was in summer classes taking text
technologies. This class really taught
me a lot and exposed me to many different styles of text that I have never
really though of as text. It took me
awhile to be able to decipher the difference between a hypertext as a digital
format only because I think it can really be anywhere. The classic definition of a hypertext is a
electronic publication that gives you access to further information by clicking
on related sources that leads you to further information on the topic. The dilemma I have is that why does it have
to be electronic. Doesn’t the index in a
book function as the same as a hyperlink.
It still gives you further readings where that topic is present in other
parts of the book. I always struggles
with the idea of electronic text as a whole.
Everyone focuses so hard on the format of the book on a electronic format
which I think does have an effect on the reader. When you read a book in a digital format it
can be really easy to read like an e-book but can also be very hard to read and
understand when it comes down to a pdf that was copied from an original
piece. The benefit of a hypertext is the
fact it is a hypertext. I know from personal
experience when I read on my ipad I am able to look up a word by clicking on it
and it makes it easily accessible to further readings when you can just go to
the works cited and click on a link and be taken to a whole other work.
By doing
this the reading is able to fully understand what they have read originally and
be able to receive more information on the topic at hand. The question I am presenting though is a text
book could easily be a hypertext as well.
It does not have to be confined to the web. As for a school text book, you can read about
a given topic on one part of the book then go to the index with the key words
and find other sections of the book where the topic is further addressed. I do feel that as technology progresses
hypertext are benefiting us more and more because we are able to grasp more
information easier but I think it is key not to forget the roots of the
hypertext which in my eyes is the text book.
I wish I had attended your History of Text Technologies class! Unfortunately I did not learn about hypertext in mine. I am embarrassed to say this is my first time learning about hypertext in an academic setting. However I have to agree with you. Landow was creating hypertext projects that predated the web. In his piece "Hypertext and Critical Theory" (note: I don't know if we can italicize within a comment?), he refers back to the Bible as an example of hypertext. We can also look at the rhizome as a version of hypertext.
ReplyDeleteEveryone has heard of (or possibly read) a 'choose your own adventure' book. I would argue that while this may not be hypertext, it shows the beginnings. It lacks intertextuality but evokes an active reader. The reader must (and can) choose where to go next in the book. The reader chooses their "center", their navigation and eventually their meaning, which are foundation principles for hypertext (37).
I absolutely agree with you that the principles of hypertext are not only seen in books, but stem from them. This is actually the portion of 'remix' (I mentioned in my own post), that creates an original form of active readership.
Reading your post really helped me understand how hypertext crosses from the digital medium into the more traditional books and printed works. I think your example of the index and key words for printed works makes sense, however you know how Landow mentions that in hypertext, the reader has to follow no real organization of hierarchy of the work? In a book, aside from the table of contents and index, to entirely consume the content wouldn't we still be forced to read in the order of the chapters laid out for us? As opposed to on the where there is no problem in clicking one link after another. So then I guess arises the question if only certain types of specifically organized printed books meant for jumping around, count as hypertext mediums? Hmmmm.
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