Introduction, Outline and Resources
This is my story, of examining non-linear story. I must begin with a couple disclaimers, both relating to the fact that this is in-process and will likely continue for years: 1) very rough around the edges this is a working draft and blog of my research and thoughts 2) also perhaps a bit unorganized however I’ll do my best and this entire exercise is one for organizing this research
While postmodernity has dramatically affected our storytelling over the last twenty to thirty years, the advent of the World Wide Web has provided a medium that highlights storytelling in the light of non-linear paradigms. While the experience of surfing the web is in itself linear, with each link opening another page within the interface of the browser and “back” and “forward” buttons allowing us to traverse the browsed “line” we created, the information, or story, map we follow while surfing can be a rather circuitous one. The following figures tell the story of non-linear processing on the web:
Not only does the Internet contribute to this postmodern “information overload” but additional technologies built to keep us “in touch” at all times do as well: cell phones, text pagers, instant message software, the “ancient” telephone, even. Soon, our refrigerators and cars will be constantly wiring us in to the infinitely unfolding story of our electronic collective conscience.
In this light, the traditional scavenger hunt, storytelling, and sleuthing methodologies were transformed into a new medium. My first experience with this type of experience integrated film, telephone, and web technologies. It was BMW Films dot com:
- BMW Films
- AI Online Game
- Majestic
- New storytelling
- Storyboarding software
- Business organization software
- Story-building software
- Training methodologies
- Web content management
- Christopher Nolan
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Chuck Palahniuk