Week four, Electronic Literature

Hayes, N. Katherine (2008) Electronic Literature, University of Notre Dame, Indiana. pp 1-4.


Hayes asks “Will the dissemination mechanisms of the internet and the Web, by opening publication to everyone, result in a flood of worthless drivel?” (2008: 2). 


This statement can be argued for hours between millions of people, however there is plain straight forward yes or no answer. No matter how much good content is on the internet there will always be worthless pointless drivel. However it depends on the consumer to determine what is weighted as important and what is worthless. You can type in any word into Google search, click enter and there are bound to web pages upon web pages about it. 


A major concern for book publishers and authors is the migration of there work published on the internet for free. Why would consumers buy a book, magazine or newspaper why they can access the same information and content on the internet for free. What happens to the royalties paid to the original author if their work can be accessed for free? Putting information on the internet raises many questions about security, censorship and money, however no matter what we put on the net it is up to the consumer to decide what is worthy and what is not. 


Take a look it this post on Naruto Forum discussing the worthiness of their own site. In all honesty who cares? Someone must because people have commented.