Writing Space- By: Jay Bolter
Chapter 1- Reflection
Originally I thought the chapter was going to be all about the history of writing, but I was wrong. I like how Bolter opened with "The Late Age of Print" moved to "The Future of Print" and then discussed both together. Although I do enjoy books, I don't know if it is the book itself that I enjoy or the idea of the book. Like Bolter said "the printed book remains the embodiment of text." People still view books and other printed texts as more intelligent or reliable. I like the feeling of a book in my hand, but for some reason I get just as distracted reading a book as I do on the internet, it's just a different kind of distraction. When I am reading I wander off in my mind, where on the internet, I wander through links and then more links until I am so far away from my original intention for being on the internet in the first place.
Many people today publish text through the internet. From blogs to articles, the internet has become a fast and easy way to get published. Although the text is changeable, it never disappears; once published online it is there forever. Some people write just to write, not for any purpose, but solely because they can. The fact is though, nowadays is publishing a book and publishing on the internet really so different? Where are most books written or typed, on the computer right? However I do agree with Bolter that it is easier to change what is published on the computer than what is printed. I have written an essay, printed it out, and then realized that I made a mistake and I had to re-print the whole page, where on the computer, I simply just re-typed the mistake. I like when Bolter writes how we believe that we are "traveling" or "visiting" a web page, because that is exactly how it feels; like a journey. But sometimes, when I get really absorbed into a book, I feel like I am journeying through with the characters through the book.
Personally I like having a book, I like the feeling of the pages, and the look of the printed text. But I have nothing against computers. I like that everything is so easily accesible and that most of the time all it takes to get from one subject to another is a click of a button.
I find it interesting that you focused much of your response on the physicality of reading a book or the internet. You ended by saying you like the "feel" of the book and the flipping of the pages over the internet. The observations you made about reading on the internet or reading a book directly correlate to what Bolter discusses in Chapter One!
ReplyDeleteI agree with the fact that printing a book and printing something on the internet is just about the same these days. I personally feel like I will never tire of reading a good book, but at the same point I always refer to the internet when I am doing research for a project. Do you think the type of writing space depends on the type of writing?
ReplyDelete"Although I do enjoy books, I don't know if it is the book itself that I enjoy or the idea of the book."
ReplyDeleteI really like this quote from your post, because it is honest. Basing your post around this quote was a great idea, because it really made the reader think. I also like how you mentioned being as distracted while reading a book as you are on the internet. It is apparent that many other people in this generation have the same problem. Many years ago, people could sit down and read for hours without becoming distracted. I understand the internet is an easy distraction, but why do you think people in this day and age are more prone to distraction while reading a paper-back book?
I agree with the quote above. That line also stuck out to me. I think that one of the reasons books are still enjoyed isn't the book itself but the idea of flipping through pages of a paper back without the impulse to click one link to the next on an internet post.
ReplyDelete