Essay 1.1 ~ Hyperreal Hypermedia:

Ted Nelson exlpains 'hypertext' as a collection of information that is linked (forwards and backwards) in a network that can be explored non-sequentially. Nelson had been most inspired by Bush's memex and built upon this idea by emphasizing that the human thought process is not only done through association, but it is also very nonsequential. There is no linear thought process that can allow a person to arrive at a particular thought. He thought that since we are all different, we should be able to experience our own path to get to this thought.

I might add that hypertext and the idea of forking paths goes hand in hand so the user can make choices as to where they want to go next and not be forced into a linear direction. This diagram shows that it's rather easy to choice two differents paths to get from one node to another. Now just imagine all the nodes that exist in todays web.

Infinite paths, infinite choices is probably the most important idea in creating the web and Jorge Luis Borges hits the nail right on the head in 'The Garden of the Forking Paths.' He suggested that our experience reflects the particular path we have taken, but there are an infinite amount of choices or paths that a person can take. Some will lead to unexpected places, while other paths will not blend and will display a lack of consistency with previous thoughts. However, the largest concept that Borges stressed was that all the paths are interconnected and will lead to one another in some form. And now that you have got a better understanding what these men think, it's time to release you into the maze of forking paths that I call "How you got to know me." All links will be avaialable from here on out so you may take what ever path you want.

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