I like the points Jasmine raised by comparing the online content to a personal diary. I am fascinated by the idea that the possibility of our stuff being read by anyone has influenced on how and what we write rather than the actual viewers. The things I write in my journal is so much different from what I actually write in my blog because nobody will actually see it. I reckon it is more about one’s purpose on doing it; so it is still validated even if nobody views or consumes it. Adrian mentioned that like writers still write even though their work will not be published. At least to us, what we write, as Adrian said, even for an imaginary audience, write it well, then the imagined will eventually become real one.

There is also the discussion about hypertext. Hypertext does not only refer to just multiple meanings. From Adrian, the thing we read or watch each time changes in itself, what we are actually reading is also multiple. I think it is about how readers can navigate and make connections with the pieces of context together rather than just read between the lines. Hypertext let readers interpret things more than what the relation the text being arranged. Hypertext has allowed readers to digest the meaning of texts according to their knowledge and perception, even their mood. I can’t recall who but one lecturer explained that the first experience of reading the past literacy readings will be different from the second time in the future. Relating to hypertext, it is more about revealing readers the things they have not noticed before . Authors may use hypertext to give readers informed ideas; yet our reading still determines how the link goes.

I like the other idea that Adrain bought up that books are now important only in their relationship with literature. Look at how many textbooks and cookbooks are actually online; in the e-book format. Books are dead in this sense. For literature, the experience probably comes first. E-readers cannot give the feeling to readers with for example, the crisp papers and a leather binding of the physical book; the experience in reading a literature. Digitalisation of literary texts only provides the ease and fast access to the information we need; but most important, it no longer holds the value of appreciating the texts on paper.

Here is a Youtube video about hypertext fiction I find interesting. They described hypertext fiction as “choose your own adventure” based online.