Review Series (cont.) & Project 2 Lightening Round #2

Wow, how this semester has flown right by....  Two more classes left.  Great class last night everyone.

Now that we are winding down our Review Series, I must admit that I will miss our weekly group exploration of e-lit texts together.  Our conversations have been thoughtful, and the readings we have pursued collectively (taken right from the ELC Vol.1) have certainly been enriching.  I believe the "Review Series" format we have engaged in throughout the course of the semester has offered us all a chance to discover a broader understanding of what electronic literature can be.

Maria did a great job of presenting "Galatea" - a multi-linear interactive fiction (and perhaps a game).  Maria characterized the interactivity of this text as a multitude of possible "conversations" the player might have with the character of Galatea.  Galatea is the animate or live creation of an artist.  The player/reader attempts to have Galatea turn around and cast her gaze upon him/her through the course of possible conversations.  Galatea apparently has moods and memory, effecting the way she treats you (depending of course on how you might treat her).  There are numerous "walkthroughs" leading to different "endings" (multiple pathways or plots).  The fact that the story is bound to text (rather than visual imagery and animation) is an interesting aspect of how it draws it overall effect.  We discussed how this text ultimately explores a psychological universe (rather than a spacial one, as we might see in an animated game).  Galatea is, of course, inspired by the ancient Greek myth of Pygmalion, and Maria discussed to how the narrative is in some sense an exploration of the implications of artificial intelligence.

Announcements:

-Please remember that your "official" Review is due (via link on your blog) on Monday, April 29th.  Many of you have presented your E-lit Review in class, but perhaps you might be editing and/or putting some finishing touches on your final write-up.  Even if you are not changing your Review write-up for the April 29th deadline, please post a link to the final version of your Review in your blog this week, so that I may access your Review work easily (without searching your blog archive).  Thanks.

-We will have a FINAL PROJECT SHOWCASE on our last night of class.  Each of you will present your final project in the "lightening round" style.  Our showcase will be on Tuesday, May 7th from 4:30pm -7:15pm in the Greek Lounge located in the University Center (across the hallway from the "Little Theater" on the first floor).  I am very proud of the work you have done thus far for this class, and I am sure your final projects will also be worthy of the larger community's attention.  I will be sending out invitations to colleagues to join us for our final showcase to see the good work you have done.  **Please bring family & friends to see your work that night.  I will order some light refreshments.  You are also encouraged to bring some food to share from home if you feel so inspired.  Our final class night will be a celebration.

-Next week the entire class period will be devoted to "workshopping"  your final project.  By next week when we meet, you should be well "on your way" with this project - having mapped out or outlined a concept, and having identified the digital tools you plan to use to realize your concept.  Please blog something brief which entails where you are thus far in your process, including your thoughts on concept and tools.  I want to see all of you "creating" next week - that is, "doing".....not just talking about doing.  It follows that if you have already made some basic progress, you will get much more out of our workshop time together.  Please come to class prepared to work together trouble shooting difficulties, sharing possible solutions, etc. 

Also, plan to use twitter during class to crowdsource any questions about your project plans.  We are in touch with some great e-lit scholars and practitioners, and I know they are willing to help. Never underestimate the power of connected learning!