The texts we see on documents, books, or anywhere else can have different interpretation. However, the section “New Media and Literacy” of the article goes on to elaborate there are two way to look at letters first.
Print Vs. Online Media
The first way described in not paying attention to the letters themselves, such as font style and sizing. Which is common when reading a physical printed book. Most people just read the letters and trust what the author says is true. At least according to what is happening in the book.
On the other hand, online texts get more analyzed with the font style, sizing, and placement. Eric Havelock mentions this is because the readers know any text online can be manipulated to the writer’s desire, or the reader’s desire if they choose to change the text.
Still the Same
Furthermore, the article touches on the topic of identity and independence when it comes to information online. From what I was able to understand, when one “object” is placed into an online source, and changed a little, that “object” still has the same ‘inner core’. The original context is still the same, being able to add/take away parts of it, but not fully modified.
Lev Manovich brings up the example of books versus websites. With websites, it’s common to see them change a few things. It could be a certain feature in the website, color theme, or a new sections. But the entire website and core of it is still the same. A person who visits the site can learn to navigate the new parts, not missing anything significant or be completely lost. On the other hand, with books and stories, it wouldn’t make sense if chapters were missing in the book. The story needs to follow a plot line that makes sense. Even if it’s a chapter just filling up words, a reader would be confused for one scene suddenly jumping to another with no proper transition.
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