In Electronic Literature, Scott Rettberg explains how "E-Lit" gives us a new way of understanding digital culture. Digital culture provides an endless stream of information that encompasses this new generation of technology we have at our hands. Information can be found anywhere on any subject and can be accessed in seconds at any point. Electronic literature is just another impressive way to learn and spread ideas. My question is one similar to one of Katherine Hayles in her essay “electronic literature: what is it?” While this is an asset to readers everywhere, will it be another place for putting out false information or providing readers with deception? Will the dissemination mechanisms of the Internet and World Wide Web, by opening publication to everyone, result in a flood of worthless drivel? Rettberg explains how studying electronic literature is a process, one that will help build a "collective understanding" of digital media. In a digital age, the most important reason to engage in electronic literature is to be provided with opportunities in which to consider all situations that come with living in a world dominated by technology.
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Rettberg references Katherine Hayles's work from 2012 in which she proposes that we consider a process of Technogenesis, in which humans and technology are coevolving in a process of mutual symbiosis. I thought this was very interesting, the relationship between humans and technology throughout evolution. Hayles wrote a book, "How We Think: A Digital Media and Contemporary Technogenesis" I couldn't access the book however I found another article by Hayles, "Narrating Bits: Encounters between Humans and Intelligent Machines" that explains the difference between narratives, digital art, etc.. and then databases in respect to electronic literature. Also what happens when narratives and databases are combined and the long spread history of digital information.
http://people.duke.edu/~nkh4/narrating_bits.html
Kendall Arkay
As to the flood of worthless drivel, it's definitely out there. The rise of digital media has often been compared to that of the printing press. It allowed print texts to be more accessible, not only to the monks who were previously in charge of manuscript writing, it was language and communication for the masses. Look at all the amazing literature it has produced... and also all the drivel. The issue with the internet, is that there is no gatekeeper, no publishing house, anyone (with access) can publish here (we're doing it right now) and, so, generations are learning to be their own gatekeepers, their own critical thinkers, their own content filters. There is a lot of noise and drivel out here on the interwebs, but a lot of beauty and connection as well...
ReplyDeleteHi Kendall, I also think that the relationship between humans and technology is very interesting. I think it's worth noting how our generation is caught between older generations either encouraging us to utilize technology or them belittling us for being enthralled with tech and how we can make advancements using computers, phones, social, and digital media.
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