Is Hypertext Making us Stupid?
What is This Thing Called Hypertext?
Anyone who has ever accessed the internet has encountered hypertext. ‘Hypertext’ is the electronic text hyperlinked to other electronic text, essentially making up the World Wide Web. A key feature of hypertext, thus, is linking. Hypertext and linking serve many purposes for the reader and the writer behind an interactive screen. Hypertext is convenient and enriching for readers as it allows us to create our own reading paths online. It will also enable writers to appear more educated and credible. Credibility is critical because it determines how the reader receives information online. If the reader concludes that something is unbelievable, said reader takes the writer’s contributions with a grain of salt. As writers, we want what we publish online to be taken seriously and have the ability to spark uncomfortable conversations.
How do Hypertext and Linking Work?
Hypertext allows readers and writers to use hypertext links to organize electronic text. We can use these links to internally link different parts of the exact text logically as well as externally link the text to other texts on the internet. We can organize hypertext to make documents easier to navigate. Methods of organization include hierarchical, linear, and hypertextual structures. The hierarchical structure is where the user arranges hyperlinks to look like a menu or even a tree. It allows readers to see the entire organization of a particular document and navigate it with ease. Another pattern of organization is the linear structure. This kind of organization is common in filling out surveys and forms or even composing a blog. It is a type of organization in which the writer organizes parts of the text in a specific sequence that readers are encouraged to follow. The third pattern is the hypertextual structure based on association; the writer links parts of the document to other parts of the document or entirely different works available on the internet.
Hypotheses Regarding Hypertext
Some have hypothesized that hypertext is making humans less intelligent by changing not only the way that we communicate but also the way that we think. Some say that hyperlinks tend to distract readers, and hypertext threatens sustained reading. Those on this side of the argument believe that we should be reading on paper instead of on the internet to avoid distractions and unethical advertisements. Reading on the internet may have also changed readers’ behavior by not engaging with text deeply. Some perceive that the process of browsing and scanning online has detrimental effects on cognition and has decreased our ability to concentrate and remember what we read.
However, others say that reading online is advantageous for one reason or another. A significant advantage of reading online is interactivity; we can engage with text online and search for our desired content. Material is so accessible online, making researching and reading online a time-consuming process. Hyperlinks make traversing through a plethora of information online a less daunting task.
My Thoughts
According to what I have read about this topic, there is not enough information to prove that reading online is less effective than reading on paper or vice versa. I also think it is a ridiculous claim that hypertext is making us ‘stupid.’ If anything, I believe that advanced technology and digital media have encouraged us to read and learn more because material is so much more accessible. Before, you had to walk to the library to rent a book, but now we have an abundance of information at our fingertips. Hypertext and hyperlinks make navigating this information more manageable, making research less convoluted and more successful. Change is not a bad thing. As time goes on and practices change, we should adopt and use the resources provided for us.
