This text may seem straightforward, from beginning to end. But what if, to quote the poet, the first sentence of this text is its end? Written communication hides a rich complexity of structures in its one-dimensional flow.
By referring to different entities and playing with the expectations of the reader, authors can build vivid imagery, exciting adventures, interesting ruminations in the place of random characters. The rich inner complexity of the text is increasingly mirrored by the networked space of comments, code, non-linear narratives, tweets and a stupendous variety of other hypertextual links. I try to capture how the interplay between the media, the author and the reader generates these fascinations and what can we expect from the evolution of written media.
When the media is news this whole carousel becomes a part of social dialogue, rife with disagreement, labyrinthine news feeds that trap us into echo chambers and illusionists automata that sow discord. With the Sony CSL infosphere group I engaged in the creation of maps and compasses that help navigate readers to more honest discussions and save Christmas dinners!
Did you expect a reference to the beginning?