Hypertext: The Terms That Makes the Internet Go Round

 I urge you to take a moment to close your eyes. Focus on what I am in the works to ask of you. Ready? Define Hypertext.

I am sure most participants asked to do such a thing would quickly snap open their eyes, unlock their phones or open their computers, and promptly type a quick Google search– opening the first link to any Miriam Webster adjacent page they could find. In doing so, these individuals would best define the term through their actions. Finding this answer could not be done linearly, as Walton describes Hypertext in "Writing for the WWW." Instead, an individual would not only have to search for the desired term but also click through several links and hyperlinks to obtain a valuable source of information. 

The previous readings for Digital Writing showed that websites such as Wikipedia and Britannica could be excellent page holders for good sources. Certain words are bolded blue throughout an article on either website, and a single click sends a viewer to another page. Sometimes these pages are helpful; other times, they are less. These websites showcase Hypertext in the best way possible.

Hypertext is an essential aspect of online conduct and communities. The internet could only exist with various connections throughout. Consider sites such as YouTube or TikTok. Lately, the public has heard much about the "death scroll" regarding the YouTube shorts or TikTok videos. The name might sound exaggerated or jarring, but it is entirely accurate. The design of these apps keeps hypertext/media in mind. This consideration is why YouTube suggests different videos– the more you watch, the more you follow those links, and the more traffic a site gets. The same goes for TikTok, except instead of suggestions, other users' hyperlinked searches appear, and more often than not, curiosity gets the best of users, once again adding to the cyber traffic.

Blogs like the one you are reading are similar to applications such as YouTube or TikTok. Bloggers are mandated to keep different sources in mind, whether educational or not. Ads fuel some blogs, kept running by subtle hyperlinks to the vague references made within a post. Consider when a person looks for a recipe– ever tried to find the list of ingredients only to read through countless irrelevant anecdotes? This kind of website is one of the sneakiest examples of Hypertext within blogs. Sure, the page insists that the link leads to a recipe– only to blindside a reader with plenty of advertisements and opportunities for bloggers to obtain plenty of viewers. 

These examples demonstrate the impending nature of Hypertext in our online experiences. It is not just limited to informational websites or social media platforms but extends to various forms of digital content, including blogs. The interconnected nature of Hypertext allows bloggers to reference and provide additional information on specific topics, leading readers to explore related articles, studies, or sources. It enhances the depth and breadth of information available to readers, encouraging them to delve deeper into a subject. In the bigger picture, Hypertext provides content in a way that makes the online community thrive.

Example of hyperlink found in last week's blog post (click here to access that)

Citations

“Log In.” TikTok, www.tiktok.com/login/. Accessed 23 June 2023.

Walton. "Writing for the WWW." 2002.

YouTube, www.youtube.com/. Accessed 23 June 2023.