RogersCommunicationsGroup
Wednesday, 02 November 2005
Mark Amerika’s “Hypertextual Consciousness: Notes toward a Critical Net Practice”
Summary and Critique by Aliscia Rogers
In “Hypertextual Consciousness: Notes Toward a Critical Net Practice,” Mark Amerika poses the question, “…can HTC [Hypertextual Consciousness] create a difference value-system within the evolving network-culture?” (158). To answer the question, Amerika creates an analogy to explain the growth of HTC in cyberspace to the way a person functions in society. He acknowledges that hypertext should not be confined into conventional book form because of the medium it uses; thus, he also asks, “How does this evolving narrative-space create value and who or what mechanism within the public sphere decides what value is to be attributed to it?” (170).
As his notes unfold, Amerika defines hypertext as a writing machine used as an alternative to conventional book text, which makes it more immersive by design. He often refers to the reader of hypertext as “the reader/participant (co-conspirator)” because the reader has immediate options available to leave the current block of text by merely clicking on a link on the page.
In addition to his hypertext definition, Amerika characterizes HTC as the science of writing being teleported into “…cyberspace where language is then able to grove with the machine” (168). He asserts that once HTC is developed into mainstream, it will reach celebrity status. To support this prediction, he cites the current use of advertisements as a part of the mainstream movement. He questions whether “HTC is the word’s revenge on TV,” because people are moving toward reading Online (172). To draw his parallel between how a person views both television and hypertext, Amerika points to the presence of links in a hypertext reading as a way for the viewer to “channel-surf” as if they were using a TV remote-control (168).
Amerika uses the Socratic Method throughout most of his notes. However, he begins to answer some of questions for the reader towards the end. He explains that Value-Added Network (VAN) or research and development (R&D), which he appears to use interchangeablely at times, requires HTC to continually create “new meaning apparatus” because “language investigations” and “narrative strategies” are needed to maintain the virtual revolution now that HTC has moved past the notion of just an ephemeral school of data (172).
He claims that HTC is the next wave of society and it has arrived. Amerika closes out his notes by reminding the audience that “You don’t have to be there” to reiterate the vast number of ways that HTC has already allowed people and objects to be omnipresent (176).
Although the analogy is a clever way to explain the significance of HTC, the nomenclature at times, makes it difficult to follow his train of thought. Because the essay is a compilation of his notes, it unfolds similarly to his narrative environment, the GRAMMATRON project, which also looks at the culture of the electronic age.
Edward Picot alleges that the essay “… makes no attempt to focus on any particular work, but presents us instead with a series of observations and prophecies about literature/culture/life on the Internet….” As Picot explains it, Amerika’s essay is outside of the scope of the book. To the contrary, Dene Grigar acknowledges that the essay fits into its section of the book, but she takes issue with the authors not thoroughly explaining the difference between net art and electronic literature since _Grammatron_ is a piece that has been placed in both categories.
The cyber world that Amerika speaks of in his notes and uses for his work does not eliminate the traditional writer’s role. Instead he incorporated traditional literary elements into new media technologies to build a better relationship between the writer and reader. Amerika admitted to Richard Lacayo that he was worried about giving up control of his narrative flow through the use of links because he felt it would be relinquishing his identity as the author. However, he said, “I found it liberating to liberate the readers. Internet fiction is readers’ lib!” (Lacayo).
Works Cited
Amerika, Mark. “Hypertextual Consciousness: Notes toward a Critical Net Practice.” Close Reading New Media: Analyzing Electronic Literature. Eds. Jan Van Looy and Jan Baetens. Leuven:
Amerika, Mark. “Reconfiguring the Author: The Virtual Artist in Cyperspace.” GRAMMATRON. 30 Oct. 2005. <http://www.grammatron.com/work.html>.
Grigar, Dene. “Review of Close Reading New Media: Analyzing Electronic Literature.” Leonardo Reviews.”1 July 2004. 24 Oct. 2005. <http://mitpress2.mit.edu/e-journals/leonardo/reviews/jul2004/close_grigar.html.>
Lacayo, Richard. “The Author Got Hyper About It.” Time. 19 Feb. 2001. EBSCOhost. Academic Search Elite. 30 Oct. 2005. <http://search.epnet.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=afh&an=4070338>.
Picot, Edward. “Upclose and Virtual.” trAce
In “Hypertextual Consciousness: Notes toward a Critical Net Practice,” Mark Amerika poses several questions, “…can HTC [Hypertextual Consciousness] create a difference value-system within the evolving network-culture?” (158). To answer the question Amerika uses an analogy to explain the growth of HTC in cyberspace to the way a person functions in society. He acknowledges that hypertext cannot be put into convention book form because of the medium it uses; thus, he also asks, “How does this evolving narrative-space create value and who or what mechanism within the public speher decides what value is to be attributed to it?” (170).
Wednesday, 03 November 2004
AWC Offers Grantwriting Workshop at the North Dallas Chamber of Commerce
by Alisha Bell
What: Strategic Philanthropy: Four Tried and True Keys to Fundraising Success
Who: Carole Rylander, CFRE, Rylander & Associates
When: Wednesday, November 10. Registration and networking start at 11:15 a.m. Lunch and workshop begin at noon.
Where: North Dallas Chamber of Commerce, 10707 Preston Road, Dallas
Cost: $35 for AWC members and $45 for guests with advance online registration. Walk-ups without reservations accepted on a space-available basis for an additional $5 fee.
RSVP: Register online at www.awcdallas.com by 5:00 p.m. Sunday, November 7. All no-shows will be billed. All reservations and cancellations must be received through Acteva by the reservation deadline. For more information, contact the AWC hotline: 972-394-7761, or e-mail programs@awcdallas.org.
On Wednesday, November 10, learn how to optimize your efforts when AWC presents fund development / strategic development expert Carole Rylander, CFRE, for an invaluable workshop: Four Tried and True Keys to Fundraising Success.
According to data cited by the Association of Fundraising Professionals, philanthropic giving by U.S. corporations and corporate foundations increased by 24 percent from 2002 to 2003, rising from approximately $3.13 billion to $3.88 billion.
Ms. Rylander will acquaint us with the steps required before beginning the grant writing process and the tools needed to write a successful proposal. Key takeaways for this program include:
- Four essentials that every fundraising appeal must possess
- The importance and relationship of strategic planning and marketing to fundraising
- A step-by-step format for creating a case statement
- A letter proposal for a capital campaign and the case statement from which it was drawn
- A case statement for a program within an annual operating budget
- The importance of program performance metrics to fund raising and an easy-to-use evaluation questionnaire
- What to look for in clients and how to get the information you need to craft an effective proposal
- U.S. contribution sources and the amount they contribute in relation to each other
Friday, 10 September 2004
AWC Hosts Dining Etiquette Workshop At Ferrari
By Aliscia Rogers
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
What: Dining Etiquette Workshop at Ferrari’s
Who: Maggie McQuown, VisibleEDGE™ Resources
When: Tuesday, September 28. Registration starts at 6:30 p.m.; workshop and dinner start at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Ferrari’s Italian Villa, 14831 Midway Road, Addison, Texas 75001. (south of Beltline Road)
Cost: $62 for AWC members with advance reservations; $65 for guests and members with reservations after the RSVP date.
RSVP: Register online at www.awcdallas.com or by 5:00 p.m. Friday, September 24. Cancellations must be received by the RSVP date, and all no-shows will be billed. AWC accepts cash, checks, and credit cards.
Join us on Tuesday evening, September 28, as Ferrari’s Italian Villa Restaurant hosts AWC members and guests for a special dining etiquette workshop. The meal and program are designed to help participants feel at ease during breakfast meetings, luncheons and banquets.
The workshop conducted by Maggie McQuown, founder and president of VisibleEDGE™ Resources, focuses on fine dining etiquette for business situations. We’ll learn how to eat tricky foods like pasta, use silent service, select a wine, and even get tips on how to plan a dining event.
This fine dining experience at one of Dallas’ best restaurants will include a delicious four-course meal (soup, salad, entrée and dessert) paired with two glasses of imported wines from Frederick Wildman and Sons. The etiquette workshop, instructional handouts, taxes and tip are all included for the bargain price of $62 for members / $65 for guests. This type of event is normally valued well over $100.
“The purpose of etiquette is to feel comfortable, but too often adults become quite uncomfortable in fine-dining restaurants because they do not know which fork or bread plate to use, or how to order wines,” says Ms. McQuown. With a little education anyone can learn proper etiquette, which allows you to enjoy the business at hand instead of worrying about an etiquette faux pas.
Professionals are constantly attending luncheons and banquets where someone has mistakenly taken the wrong napkin or water glass, which leaves someone at the table without one. Maggie McQuown teaches the basic rules that one should know to help prevent these situations. The workshop is designed for those who have not been taught some fundamentals, but are expected to know them. This knowledge is beneficial for conferences, regular business meetings and other social situations.
Ms. McQuown has a passion for inspiring people to transform themselves into trusted “brand” leaders who stand apart from their competition. As a result, her clients project total professionalism… distinctive personal style with a leadership edge. They excel and flourish.
“You do not have to be born with a silver spoon in your mouth to learn proper etiquette,” she says. “These are simple rules that anyone can and should know.” By combining fabulous Italian food, great wines and a compelling presenter, this workshop will be a must-attend event.
Register early as space is limited! Visit www.awcdallas.com to register online by 5:00 p.m. Friday, September 24, 2004. Questions? Call the AWC Hotline: 972-394-7761.
