Hypertext - Hannah Prevost

Hypertext fiction was a poignant cultural and experimental addition to the world of the internet and computers, arriving at a time when post-modernism movements reached their highest points of discussion and levels of interest. Though the book takes into consideration that hypertext was not the first aspect of digital literature to breach the technological landscape, it was a trailblazer that grew to be widely discussed and popular, but also served as a catalyst for other forms of digital literature to be born and remnants of them can still be found in these other forms in our modern day.

When reading the Cyborg Manifesto, I was pleasantly surprised to have my definition of “cyborg” not only be somewhat accurate, but also expanded upon by Haraway in an eloquent, comprehensive manner, especially where she draws comparisons on page 70, where she explicates, “One of my premises is that most American socialists and feminists see deepened dualisms of mind and body, animal and machine, idealism and materialism in the social practices, symbolic formulations, and physical artifacts associated with ‘high technology’ and scientific culture.” While the text did become quite long and a little difficult to follow at times, overall, the message that I took from the text was incorporating a political definition of intersectionality into the idea of technological advancements, and how women should utilize these as a way to push forward in social progress as well.

Afternoon, the hypertext piece of digital literature we explored in class, was probably one of my favorite pieces we have explored thus far. The freedom of choice and exploration is something I greatly value when it comes to creative thought processes, and I really enjoyed how the story did not follow a set, rigid way of informing its reader. I liked that no matter what options you chose, there would always be a different outcome of your story that wasn’t completely identical to your peers. While initially, it was very jarring, I liked that there was some vulgar/adult content to read. I think a lot of people tend to shy away from it in their art out of fear of being too risqué, but I think it should be something that is discussed openly and honestly.

Comments

  1. Dr. MFebruary 20, 2023 at 12:41 PM

    Such a relevant piece in 1985 and today. I'm glad your definition of cyborg was confirmed! I'm glad you enjoyed afternoon, a story, you're welcome to spend more time with it! And postmodernism is, for better or worse, full of vulgarity and sexuality, I think that was part of what they were stirring up in people, what is deemed either "appropriate" or "taboo." I mean you only have to look at Vonnegut or Burroughs. That type of branching narrative is easily replicated (not 500 pages..) in Twine, as we'll see next week. I think you'll love it.

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