I read the “Hypertextnow” article because it relates to my everyday life. I always think about this contrast between reading paper and reading computers. I have to admit, I’m not a paper reader at all. My mom would beg, plead, and force me to read books and newspapers as a kid, but I refused. It wasn’t a problem with reading, though. I constantly swear that I have A.D.D. I rarely found a novel that could hold my interest enough for me to finish it through. I did better with newspapers and magazines, but often only reading about tech or sports. Not until I discovered the wonderful world of online reading did I go crazy. I constantly check ESPN.com, MSN.com, newspaper websites, etc. to read articles online. For me, it’s an issue of being able to find an article on exactly what interests me. I can browse a bunch of titles and click, there. I find exactly what I want when I want. Newspapers and magazines still make me flip and search. It was interesting when he talked about the Bolter test, because I’m in bed as I type right now. Before I can even think about going to sleep I click through my favorites on my laptop laying in bed and will read a few articles that interest me. I don’t have to have a preplanned book when the world’s at my fingertips in my laptop. I think that’s what the author’s getting at. For all the nostalgia books bring, the incredible power of an electronic reading device is limitless. So thank you Mr. Dell.
1 comment:
I too find myself afflicted with the A.D.D. of our time. Non-linearity, while great in letting us find what-we-want when-we-want has also shortened our attention spans as well. I "used to" read, but find it increasingly difficult to find the time and patience to just sit down with a book and read. Unfortunately, evil people take advantage of this condition by making poor flashy hypertext advertisements and spam with narrow audiences which, when striken with an A.D.D. attack, will cause millions to punch the monkey and waste their valuable time.
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