In this weeks readings, we learned about the early concepts of hypertext as a way of interactive readings, initially modeled after the "choose your own adventure" books. Although some people believe that hypertext is distracting, proving to be a disadvantage to the usual purity of a continued reading experience. Hypertext allows reading to be more interactive, and personalized. Hypertext was the beginnings to computer games, as the personalized readings. The "Nonlinearity and Literary Theory" essay discusses the introduction of more modern forms of text (narriatives, stories) and such that is presented to the reader in a non linear way, requiring the reader to put in some work to solve the conflicts in the narriative on their own, having to use more problem solving skills as opposed to being a bystander to the story and are really just along for the ride. " Nonlinearity can be achieved in many ways, the simplest of which is a script forking out in two directions on a surface forcing its witness (the user) to choose one path in preference to another (Aarseth 768). "
We discussed the different ways in which this concept transcends from hypertext and stories on the computer to very popular TV shows as well as novels like "The Crying Lot of 49" by Thomas Pynchon, which seems to be one of the most intricate books ever written. This novel forcing the reader to become a detective and really problem solve and piece together the narriative. Whether or not some people prefer this kind of story-telling experience in the tv shows they watch and the books they read, this form of media, the communiccation of a narriative or text, seems to generally create a special experience for each individual experiencing it when they can be more involved in whatever form they choose.