Scroll in the Bath
Learning about the digital world has broadened my view of where modern literature is at and where it is going. IFs, blogs, wikis, hypertexts and muds were previously a foreign language to me. Now my outlook has developed from non-existent to a comfortable level of confidence. I sit staring at my dilating computer screen, the impending essay soon due. "Why can't this essay be on a novel that I can grab and read in the bath and relax over while my mind conjures up ideas?" Distracted from my task, I end up wine in one hand, decadent novel in the other I soak into the bubbles. Then, splash! My book sinks into the suds. Cursing, I salvage it, now drenched and munted. Then it comes to me. The reason we are studying digital narratives, the motive behind the writers of these uncomfortable mediums. Progress. Humans are intent on improving the inventions already in existence and creating new ones. I picture a story teller of olden times reciting a narrative to his captive, comfortable audience. A merchant selling scrolls arrives, inviting the audience to purchase, learn to read and handle the awkward rolls. Perhaps only the intrepid individuals took up the challenge. Many likely refused to leave their comfort level, learn a new skill. I believe reading digital narratives requires the willingness to do so. The scroll lead to the book. I think computers are as awkward as scrolls once were, however they will lead to better technology. The pocket-sized piece of plastic which will let us read or interact with all our favorite pieces of literature. Technology will take us beyond the paper-based, to something we can drop in the bath and have come off unscathed.
Learning about the digital world has broadened my view of where modern literature is at and where it is going. IFs, blogs, wikis, hypertexts and muds were previously a foreign language to me. Now my outlook has developed from non-existent to a comfortable level of confidence. I sit staring at my dilating computer screen, the impending essay soon due. "Why can't this essay be on a novel that I can grab and read in the bath and relax over while my mind conjures up ideas?" Distracted from my task, I end up wine in one hand, decadent novel in the other I soak into the bubbles. Then, splash! My book sinks into the suds. Cursing, I salvage it, now drenched and munted. Then it comes to me. The reason we are studying digital narratives, the motive behind the writers of these uncomfortable mediums. Progress. Humans are intent on improving the inventions already in existence and creating new ones. I picture a story teller of olden times reciting a narrative to his captive, comfortable audience. A merchant selling scrolls arrives, inviting the audience to purchase, learn to read and handle the awkward rolls. Perhaps only the intrepid individuals took up the challenge. Many likely refused to leave their comfort level, learn a new skill. I believe reading digital narratives requires the willingness to do so. The scroll lead to the book. I think computers are as awkward as scrolls once were, however they will lead to better technology. The pocket-sized piece of plastic which will let us read or interact with all our favorite pieces of literature. Technology will take us beyond the paper-based, to something we can drop in the bath and have come off unscathed.