One also has to consider a darker alternative to hypertextual writing.
If it is possible to imagine academic hypertext as an open system, one can also posit a hypertext project governed by arbitrary rules, hostile to innovation, and largely opaque to its users. Such a system, conceived perhaps on the model of the "learning machines" of previous decades, might present itself as a hypertextbook containing all the information a student 'really' needs to know. The student's paths through this information would be limited to a narrow range governed by binary evaluations: 'if the reader understands this concept then proceed to the next one; otherwise repeat.' Such a system would be a monolith of integrated knowledge. Its navigators (if there were any) would not be trail blazers or generalists but park police and drill sergeants.
The system would not be hyper-"Text" in Roland Barthes' terms, but hyper-"work" -- a code of received knowledge designed to engrave its idea of order upon the reader.
See that post with different algorithms in metabole
See the journal French Metablog with today different posts
Enter Hypertextual as a member
