Hypertext as Collage-Writing by George P. Landow

Landlow begins the essay with a definition of collage, "the action of gluing." Hypertext is defined as "text composed of lexas (blocks of words, moving or static images, or sounds) linked electronically by multiple paths, chains, or trails in an open-ended web." (pg 156) Just from these definitions we can begin to see similarities between collage and hypertext. Different pieces make up the whole composition, but at the same time we recognize the individual pieces. This is true with hypertext as well. Landlow describes hypertext as multilinear. This meaning that it can be read many different ways. The reader is in control and pick whatever links he/she finds interesting while skipping others. There is no one way to view the hypertext. When using hypertext the author has the ability to directly link to other sites, texts, and images by different authors. Whereas in writing the author feels that he/she must summarize the original text in order to make it different. Because of this, there is no one author.

I thought it was interesting when Landlow said, "When I write 'translation,' I cannot help thinking of the Italian (translator=traitor) Does he mean that some of the essence of the original is lost when transferring information?