The literature we read for this week was some of the most interesting material we have read so far. Borges’ The Garden of Forking Paths especially stood out to me as an extraordinarily interesting and prophetic story. The garden or labyrinth’s infinite number of turns and twists resembles the internet’s endless hypertext of links and connections. Ts’ui Pen’s labyrinth book freezes whoever enters in an uncomprehended present, much as the internet has the ability to absorb readers into its net, and keep them almost unconsciously clicking away.

I was definitely taken in by The Garden of Forking Paths by Borges. The story was captivating, and I really liked that the story itself was interesting while at the same time it stated something about hypertext and media in an indirect way. As I do more of these readings, I am realizing that the more I can connect the readings to the internet the more I enjoy them. I guess I am just a lot more interested in the internet than other forms of media (new or old).

Let me just say that I really enjoyed Borges’ “The Garden of Forking Paths;” it is one of the best stories I have read for awhile. What is most fascinating to me is the idea of the story contained within a story, continuing to an almost infinite degree. The short story itself begins with the statement “an attack against the Serre-Montauban line by thirteen British divisions… had to be postponed until the morning of the 29th.” That story, seemingly tediously boring, when investigated yields the thrilling story of Dr. Yu Tsun, English Professor and German spy.