Philosophy
In a space titled "anti-architecture" Kolb writes, "We need forms of
hypertext writing that are neither standard linear or hierarchical
unities nor simple juxtaposition." In other words, we do need a form;
philosophy cannot be simply a willy-nilly array of free associated
texts. Nor should hypertext, a medium which gives breath to the corpus
of post-modern sensibilities of what a text is or can be, be confused as
necessarily meaning that because it is non-linear that it is meaningless.
Hypertext will, I think, alter our understanding of language,
meaning-making, argument, and philosophy as thoroughly as jet aircraft
have altered our sense of travel, physical space, and the size of the
planet. (The usual analogy, so usual as to be cliche, is to compare
computer technology, or some subset of it [like hypertext], to the
difference the automobile made over the horse in our culture and lives,
but what Kolb's pushing at in his work, what he suggests, will be more of
a departure, ultimately, than even that.)
Return to where you departed from.
Return
to start of review of Socrates in the Labyrinth
Address your comments to Nick Carbone at nickc@marlboro.edu