Transformations

trans·for·ma·tion (noun) - a thorough or dramatic change in form or appearance.

"Its landscape has undergone a radical transformation" (via Google Definitions).

I want to focus on the opening passage about Brother Jacob. Why would Hayles choose this particular story out of ALL passages in the world? What makes this passage so important in providing context for Electronic Literature? Maybe Hayles picked this passage so the reader can sympathize with Brother Jacob, whom is losing his entire life's works and specialized skills to the mechanical type. Maybe Hayles wants to introduce a connection between the "passing of time" and the transformations that happen over time (Hayles). Or, maybe she wants to stir the pot a little by revealing the uneasiness and fear that many print-poets have towards the inevitable Electronic Literature. E-lit has transformed multiple ideas regarding poetry: the definition of poetry, the platform in which poetry is produced, and the overall expectation of what poetry should be, which would make any "old-fashioned" writer or poet fear for the art they dedicated their lives to. People read poetry to find an emotional connection, and to satisfy their fears that someone out there in the world is feeling the exact same things. People look for clarity, reality, and deeper meanings to life. Because there are so many expectations as to what true poetry is, poets spend their entire lifetimes trying to produce the perfect pieces for the masses. Hence, not everyone can be a poet. However, Electronic Poetry defies the pre-existing notion of poetry. Electronic poetry transforms the realm of poets and opens up the art to everyone (like John the Computer Science Major.) Anyone can make electronic poetry, which is what makes this art so incredibly diverse, unique, malleable, and progressive. Electronic Literature is unnerving for people like Brother Jacob and my grandma (who don't know how to work computers or iPhones) because it dives into the unknown. It does not conform to pre-existing notions of poetry in any forms, which I think is pretty cool.

Anyway, I got carried away. Overall, I think Hayles uses Brother Jacob as an example of the fear and uncertainty we all feel with Electronic Literature. Is it poetry or is it mumbo-jumbo?

-Lorel