Literature and the World Wide Web

Ph.D. Research by Dr. Terrell Neuage

Introduction

This thesis explores the transformative impact of the World Wide Web on literature and narration, drawing parallels with the historical influence of Gutenberg's printing press. It examines how digital platforms have reshaped storytelling, accessibility, and cultural exchange in a global context.

Past

The history of narration has evolved through oral traditions, manuscripts, and printed books. Each medium has influenced how stories are shared and preserved, setting the stage for the digital revolution.

Gutenberg

In Plato's Phaedrus, Theuth presents writing to King Thamus, claiming it will enhance wisdom and memory. Thamus, however, warns:

Your pupils will have the reputation for wisdom without the reality; they will receive a quantity of information without proper instruction, and in consequence be thought very knowledgeable when they are for the most part quite ignorant. And because they are filled with the conceit of wisdom instead of real wisdom they will be a burden to society. (Postman p. 4)

Whether the vast information on the World Wide Web will burden society remains uncertain. The anonymity of online sources raises questions about credibility, yet literature thrives as it becomes accessible to diverse voices. The printing press, starting with Gutenberg's Bible in 1450, revolutionized narration by democratizing knowledge, much like the Internet does today.

The printing press marked the first information revolution, while the Internet and World Wide Web constitute the second. Printing evolved over centuries, stabilizing in the 16th century, whereas the Web, since Netscape's release in 1994, has rapidly transformed in just years, continually reinventing literature.

Early books preserved magic formulas, laws, and rituals, reinforcing social structures. Humanism, bolstered by printing, spread Renaissance ideas, just as the Web fosters a multicultural narrative Renaissance. The codex format introduced non-linear reading by the 4th century, enabling page navigation and references.

Harmann Schedel, in 1493, praised Gutenberg’s invention:

...by means of this invention the precious treasures of knowledge and wisdom, which have long lain hidden in the old manuscripts, as it were, in the grave of ignorance, unknown to the world, have now come forth to the light. (Butler p.102)

The printed page, however, limited expression to two dimensions. The Web, with multimedia and hyperlinks, creates a multidimensional narrative space. Marshall McLuhan noted the sensory impact of Gutenberg’s technology, a phenomenon amplified by the Web’s interactive nature.

James Barksdale, founder of Netscape, stated:

The Internet is the printing press of the technology era. How often have you seen technology adopt a rate similar to the Internet's? Forty million Netscape users in its first two years...

Meaning

The Web redefines meaning in literature by enabling dynamic, interconnected narratives that transcend traditional linear storytelling, fostering global cultural exchange.

Poetry

Poetry on the Web gains new dimensions through multimedia integration, allowing poets to combine text, sound, and visuals for immersive experiences.

Multiplicity

The Web’s multiplicity of voices and perspectives enriches literature, challenging traditional gatekeeping and amplifying marginalized narratives.

Concerns

Concerns about the Web include misinformation, source credibility, and the potential for information overload, echoing Thamus’s warnings about writing.

Futures

The future of literature on the Web lies in its adaptability, with emerging technologies like AI and virtual reality poised to further transform narration.

Conclusion

The World Wide Web, like Gutenberg’s press, is reshaping literature by expanding access, diversifying voices, and redefining narrative forms, heralding a new era of storytelling.

Bibliography