Wednesday, March 16, 2011
"Writing Space" by Jay David Bolter Chapter One Response
This chapter, the Introduction, discusses the evolution from the printed words, like books, to electronic texts, like computers. This chapter compares books versus electronic devices. It discusses which "writing space" is better for the reader. While I was reading this chapter all I could think about was how dated the text was! It brought up the possibility of inventing a reader that would be like a small computer combined with a physical book. This "device" is a Kindle! Also, it talks about the probability of having a device on lecterns that one could write on lightly with a pen instead of typing. This also exists! Reading that these devices could be possibilities for the future was so funny and interesting. The argument between whether printed or electronic text is better is very hard for me to not take a biased side on. Since, I have grown up in a world that is so electronic I usually always side for the more technologically advanced side in these type of arguments. I do respect and appreciate the printed word, but computer and Kindles can do more things that books will never be able to do. Also, the world is moving in this direction so way not move with it?
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True enough - but how do you respond to Bolter's argument? You cite the current ways that Bolter's prophesies have come true, but what do you make of his thesis that contemporary writing spaces influence meaning making?
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with his thesis. Contemporary writing spaces, such as computers and Kindles, changes the meaning making of a piece of writing. The writing may not be different, but the mode for communication has changed. This change in how the writing is communicated does change its meaning. I feel this is because the way we read something influences how we interpret it. Animations aside, computers can definitely influence how one reads something purely because it is electronic!
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