Hypertext Literature Galore

Over the past week, I've been a reading machine. Last week, I received a hard-to-find book called Literary Machines: The report on, and of, Project Xanadu concerning word processing, electronic publishing, hypertext, thinkertoys, tomorrow's intellectual revolution, and certain other topics including knowledge, education and freedom (1981), Mindful Press, Sausalito, California. Although I wish I could say I got through the entire book, I'm about half way through. The book itself is an example of a hypertext system in that it does not flow sequentially from chapter 1 through the end of the book. The author actually suggests reading the book in a non-linear form, reading some or all of Chapter 1 first, then Chapter 2, then one section of Chapter 3. Then, he suggests the reader go back and read Chapter 2 again, then a different section of Chapter 3. There are also instructions for Chapters 4 and 5. This method of reading solidifies his theory that reading and writing doesn't have to be, and shouldn't be, sequential in nature. He suggests that humans do not process information that way, so they shouldn't be forced to. I've found this book so enthralling that I haven't been able to put it down and start anything else.

However, with pending assignments and a project proposal due in a few months, I think I will have to speed up the pace I'm reading this book (and others to come). For the next week, I will be doing another review of Vannevar Bush's As We May Think. I have read this three times before, but never from a historical hypertext perspective. Also on my radar this week is to find some pertinent material from Tim Berner's Lee to help understand how Ted Nelson (and possibly others) affected his innovative product of the 1990s - the World Wide Web. In addition, I will be ordering the book, Geeks Bearing Gifts, which is a historical synopsis of hypertext beginning with the origins of the alphabet.

So I'm not sure if I'm behind or ahead, but it seems that there is a lot of relevant historical literature regarding hypertext. I want to do the best I am capable of doing on this proposal, so I think being well-versed in this material isn't such a terrible thing. Overall, I'd like to start writing in the next week or two. I just feel like I have so much more to read.

To Thesis or To Project

So now that I've had a day to think about "to thesis or to project," I've decided that the prospect of a project sounds more satisfying. And, after Steve's recent Tiddlywiki post, I LOVE the idea that he proposed below. Love.

A Hypertextual Interpretation of "How Has the Internet Changed the Way You Think?" - This project interprets a series of answers to that question, posed by Edge, using hypertext to draw links between common concepts and ideas. The narrative describes the underlying motivation behind creating this project, places the project in theoretical context, and assesses the implementation of the project.

It draws on many of my keywords and concepts I started this journey with. And presenting an analysis is always fun (after all, what would this journey be like if it didn't have some good old fashioned fun?).