Questions & Responses on Chapter 7:
Bolter's way of connecting the elements of avant-garde works to the more modern forms of electronic fiction were intriguing to say in the least, if not a bit of a stretch at times. Some of the examples that Bolter uses seemed a bit too surreal in there supposed application to the unrestricted forms of electronic fiction. One thing that I had to keep in mind was the fact that several of these avant-garde works were written well before the implementation of electronic fiction, and thus made me a bit skeptical of their practicality in applying to the subject of electronic fiction. The chapter was heavily layered with in-depth examples that Bolter described in precise detail, such as the user interfaces of interactive pieces of electronic fiction that dealt with a number of optional plot twists that could determined by the user all at the click of a button. After awhile though, I thought the chapter almost lost focus at several points where Bolter sort of seemed to get lost in the myriad of details in his examples that were almost too detailed. More and more, I am coming to find that I easily find myself getting lost and having to go back and reread Bolter's statements in order to even understand what he was getting at in the first place. Even with my head about me, I still struggle to make sense of several of Bolter's details, his superfluous language, or his obscure objectives. —Doug
xxxxx —Farad
“Interactive Fiction” is an interesting chapter. It outlines the way things are being represented electronically. We discussed how children’s books such as The Bernstein Bears are incorporating electronic ways to interact with the text. It may be a great tool for younger children. Its hard to say because I am not a child, so I am biased, but I know that written text seems more meaningful to me. I always liked holding a book and having it come to life in my imagination, and when there are visuals, especially moving ones, it really takes away from that. I don’t think books should be replaced by interactive material, but I do think that there should definitely be a choice. I prefer the printed material, but my nephew would probably disagree with me wholeheartedly. Maybe the new age will take over our age, much like our age is taking over the age before us (in terms of technology). Its probably inevitable. —Jim
I think interactive is great. I can't think of too many drawbacks except that software gets outdated quickly and it can cause technical complications. I think the actual concept of interaction in fiction is really great on some levels. I think for kids its a great form of entertainment and to take away the boredom alot of kids associate with regular books. For adults however, it's a bit useless. I know that personally I perfer my mental images and interactions more so than the hypertext things. Video games are brilliant I think. The cause some problems with kids playing too many, but I think that's more of the parent's fault for not teaching and enforcing restraint and moderation. I think that video games are fun, they have a great story line, they are engaging on several levels and for several age groups. Interactive is nice because you can move around in the text or story really easily. You can go where you want when you want. But really, you can do that with a book too. I think they both have their advantages. I enjoy a happy mix of both in my life. —Jenn
after reading chapter 7, i conclude that interactive reading, which include graphics, colored text, and the ability to add your own ending, is a great source of reading for young children to help them learn better and be more motivated to read. however, for the more mature and experienced readers, this idea will probably be ridiculed. Adults of all ages do not want to have any additional help with their own interpretations of books or poems... they want someone to decide for them how the story goes-- they don't want to decide for themselves. also, most people hate change and have too much pride in themselves to read something with graphics included in it. —Justin
xxxxx —Katy
While reading this chapter, I couldn't help but think about the electronic book. Especially when Bolter talked about "afternoon." Interactive fiction seems a little too juvenile for adults, but definitely has its benefits for a younger audience. Even more so because the internet has become friendly for practically any age. I also think that interactive fiction is a great way to get the reader involved and excited about reading. Sometimes I read things and think to myself, "Oh my goodness, this is so boring!" But this technique makes people want to read more no matter what the topic. —Krista
Interactive Fiction. This is such an interesting topic to explore and discuss. I marvel at how children these days are growing up around this form of learning that is so different from the way we were taught. My cousin at the age of 6 can operate a computer and his sister at age 8 is learning how to do more high tech applications on her myspace website then I will ever know. I am inclined to believe that this is thanks to interactive programming. Children are being brought up on games such as Jump Start Kindergarten interacting with fictional characters who are teaching the basics of education. They are very proficient at computer programs and this type of learning has everything to do with their advancement in the field of computers. This would have been more then helpful when I was a child as I learn better through interactive gaming and hearing cartoons speak to me. While they are gaining knowledge they are guiding their way through a game taking them through fun activities geared towards a specific goal. Our book states that Interactive fiction is indeed about the breakdown or rather the refashioning of traditional forms and this is very true. Traditionally, we've learned through reading, writing, then comprehending what we've read. Now the children of today's world are playing a game, having fun, and remembering details about the game that may have been completely lost otherwise. Interactive Fiction is much more finding its way into all of our lives these days and we have only technology to thank. —Laura
Interactive Fiction -We have more control of the text.- We can get more then one order. - Only requires two element topics and links. When I read the section on Digital poetry I thought of Mayfly. I was thinking would one get a different experience reading mayfly online since they could go back and forth on different screens and they could change the order? —Lorin
xxxxx —Matt
Interactive fiction seems like a fun way to connect with technology, however I feel that the software can easily be outdated. For example, the Berenstain Bears interactive book was a little outdated. Also, I feel that this interactive fiction is only exciting if you're a child. I don't think adults get as much entertainment and thrill about being able to pick your own ending for a story. The use of colored text, graphics, and interacting with an audience is a great stride forward in technology. It's a great way of bringing stories to life. —Nicole
When authors make their work interactive, does the reader lose the main point that the author is trying to make? Espcially when the reader gets to choose the ending? I think its great that more and more authors are putting their work on the internet. But at the same time I think that they are loseing the meaning of the poem and the point that they are trying to make. Letting the reader chose their own ending completely changes the poem and its meaning. In a way I think this is hurting some people and when they add graphics it takes away from the readers ideas and thought as to how they inturpted the poem, the author helps them get the meaning this way. Its good that the poems are being seen and read more but at the same time they are losing their meaning.—Rachael
xxxxx —Rob
Interactive fiction has a wide array of possibilities...anywhere from conversationalizing hypertext, creating more choices and interaction with the audience, choosing the direction/order of the read due to author's intention, educational purposes in classroom application, and more. However, on this particular subject, even with seeing the advantaged to interactive fiction, I am still holding strong to my old school preference in loving the printed version of books. The reason I am partial, is because books are more mobile, they give you the opportunity to take on the voice or tone of the book rather than have the author choose a particular mood for you, they are easier on the eyes than reading off a computer screen, and the reader has control in using their imagination. For instance, the Bernstein Bears interactive fiction, chose a single narrative voice that replaced any tone that you could imagine the book would take on, and it was definitely a slower read due to the pace of the audio. Also, many children like bedtime stories, and computers just are not the same in portably bringing them into the bedroom to provide the same calmness within the story as can a mother's voice in reading the story. However, like I stated before, I am partial to printed books. —Sarah J.
Sadly, I had no idea that interactive fiction even existed before reading this chapter. And I have to admit that I probably would have had the same arguments as those the opponents described by Bolter had I heard about interactive fiction before reading the chapter. On the contrary, his descriptions now make me want to find these stories and start reading. Also, I think they could actually serve as great activities for students in my future high school English classes. Teachers are always looking for something fun and different that will get students’ attention, but still have the ability to teach valuable lessons about literary concepts. We already know that students almost always respond to any type of technology activity better than straight reading from a textbook (novel, etc.). How much more effective could it get to teach about point of view than to have students read an interactive piece of fiction online, one that switches point of view based on the reader’s preference, and compare the experiences? What I really wonder about is how long it will be before interactive fiction becomes mainstreamed, especially since I had never even heard of it. On the same note, I wonder how interactive fiction would be sold in the future to prevent the ease of pirating and loss of money for authors who have created the works. I guess we’ll just have to see. —Sarah S.
I thought it was interesting how Bolter points out that every statement either alludes to a past thought or peeks at something that is going to come. Thus our thoughts are never in a straight line but bounce around from one point to another. • I also found it interesting when Bolter covered several different forms of media. Early texts like the scroll were completely linear and forced a reader down one specific path. Then the other end of the spectrum contains the newspaper where there are several different stories laid out on a single page all competing for the reader's attention. • I found the description of Homer's poem interesting in that it's formatted in such a way to keep the audience in suspense regarding one section but continue on in the flow of the tale. • I really liked the explanation about Platonic dialogue. Particularly the quote "the best writing is that of the living word, written in the mind of the student by a wise teacher, for this word is active: "It knows to whom it should speak and before whom to be silent." • The difference between an essay and a dialogue was neat too. How an essay is a statement where the writer is expected to "Take responsibility for a text that will go out to hundreds or thousands of readers." A dialogue however, speaks with more than one voice and therefore shares or postpones responsibility.—Stephanie
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