User:Kim/reading/N. Katherine Hayles: Writing Machines

chapter 2

Material metaphors, Technotexts and Media-Specific Analysis

"metaphor" from root meaning "bearing across" (transfer of sense between two associated)
Hayles coins Material Metaphor foregrounds relation/ back and forth between words and physical artifacts
- take the book for example, so obvious we barely recognize it:
  - page defines a unit of reading
  - binding pages indicates, fixates order of reading
  - opacity of paper defining if page appears linear, sequencial or interpenetrating and simultaneous
inscription technologies is device that initiate material changes that can be read as marks
- in print books: words are ink marks left on paper
- in computer text: computer changes electric polarities and correlates these changes with binary code
Technotexts connects technology that produces texts to the texts verbal constructions
- parallels to Hypertetxts (follows min. 3 characteristics: multiple reading paths, chunked text and linking mechanism)
media constantly engage in recursive dynamic of imitating each other

Media Specific Analysis insists that texts must always be embodied to exist in the world.

materiality emerges from interactions between physical properties and a works artistic strategies

Entering the Electronic Environment

word was interwoven with world