Critical

From Introduction to Electronic Literature
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A picture of N. Katherine Hayles, a pioneer of defining what Electronic Literature is.

The entire concept of E-Lit (Electronic Literature) thus far has been about analyzing different platforms of not only literature, but any platform that can tell a narrative or story. These "platforms" can be anything--video game (" videogames as a type of configurative or procedural artifact, one built up from units of tightly encapsulated meaning." [1], TI-83 programming, text-based role-playing game, a music video--literally anything can be considered under the broad umbrella of E-lit. What this does is that it gives immense freedom for artist to explore different mediums by which to express them. This is entirely new under the literary tradition. Under the old literary tradition, it was mostly considered "literature" if it was expressed with words on a page bound together with string. This new form has taken its natural post-literature course in ways that are unique and strange. Due to the advent of technology all of the critical theorists are trying to adapt and analyze what's been going on within our current digital culture of modern day America. This whole E-lit is something that isn't going to fade away, but rather continue to grow and innovate. The range is unlimited. New stories will be told and expressed, and new ways of interpreting will be created. This whole E-lit thing is strange and interesting and quirky and raw and fun and important. I find myself enjoying more of it as I continue to immerse myself in the field. I use to create random art all the time, but never was fully convinced that it was "art." But now being informed on E-lit I find that anything goes. It's just a matter of what story you want to tell. So i leave you with this question. So, what is your story?

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