My Response to Reading Hypertexts

I have never interacted with hypertexts before, so therefore I was pleasantly surprised when introduced to them, even though I was sceptical at first. I was sceptical, because I sometimes think that things can get too electronic. We already have transformed books into electronic versions, which I think is essentially a good idea, but I, however, prefer to read my books in paper form. Therefore, when hearing about hypertexts I thought: Oh no, yet another thing that has to be in electronic form. But I was, like I said, pleasantly surprised.

I love the way hypertexts can capture your attention, just like books do if you find them intriguing or interesting. The way hypertexts capture your attention, however, is completely different. I like how you are intrigued or compelled by clicking the next link in every frame you get to, therefore creating a spiral that in principle will never stop. The way your curiosity is put to the test intrigues me and I find it interesting that even small sentences can interest you so much that you just have to click on the next link to see what happens.

I had a lot of fun with the hypertext on www.openingsources.com – an interactive poem, where whoever visits can change any word in the text to whatever they want. I like the idea that the poem transforms all the time, and therefore creates a new experience every time you visit the website. Also the fact that you can chose to be either a participant or an observer is interesting and engages people to be intrigued and compelled to maybe participate as well, even though at first they might have decided to only be an observer.

The hypertext is an intriguing literary genre and I would in the future like to read some more, even though I know that I will never abandon the old-fashioned way of reading literature, with a book in hand.