The End of Books
Robert Coover presents a great article depicting the manly changes and challenges resulting from hypertext. Coover defines hypertext as the next wave of technology after the printed book. He also notes that it will have an enormous impact on our culture in the areas of literature, education, criticism, and scholarship (Coover, 706). This is significant because this marks a giant shift in the way media and literature is consumed. Bookstores all around the nation are closing down and e-books are gaining in popularity. The ease and mobility of hypertext create many benefits that a traditional printed book cannot touch. Though there are critics who argue that reading will lose the touch and smell of a new book, but it is clear to see how the future is moving to digital technology and hyperbooks.
One interesting point that Coover makes is that the transition from writing traditional books to hyperbooks differ. Writers are forced to learn new software, implement new sharing and editing techniques and many more. I found it very un-encouraging that authors had to move all their work to digital copies and learn new programs to create their works. Yet by the time their work was completed, updated software was released and their works had to transferred over again. It’s a wasted process that does not support the literature industry well.
Overall I felt that this article gave great insight to a writer’s perspective on changing technology and literature. Since I have never written or paid much attention to books, it was eye opening to take a journey into Coover’s experience of literature evolution.
-Jossshhuaa
Hey Josh, great write up. I agree about the double and sometimes triple work involved with newer software being 'un-encouraging.' This type of thing happens in the working, non-literary world all the time. It is so frustrating and time consuming to waste those efforts just update software that sometimes makes your job more difficult.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I was thinking when I read the missing the smell and feel of a new book part, "who cares!?" What about are planet?? I justed posted on the privacy and blogging article today and will post more on this article and my take on it tomorrow. Thanks for the always interesting posts! L8r...
Josssshhhuuuaa,
ReplyDeleteGreat post, again! I always enjoy reading what you have to say! Back to the article, I feel that your post hit the nail on the head - this article seemed to discuss the change in technology and how it has affected the writing world overall. I found your commentary on the wasted process of moving work to digital copies and learning new programs, etc.I cannot even begin to imagine the headache that would ensue after a process like that! I feel that you really recapped the main points of the article in a way that was interesting to read, and easy to understand! Great post!
-Buzz