Hypermediacy: Etymology, Meanings, and Concept
Etymology/Term:
The term “hypermediacy” is derived from the combination of “hyper-” meaning beyond or excessive, and “mediacy,” referring to the state of being immediate or direct. Coined by media theorist Jay David Bolter and Richard Grusin in their 1999 book “Remediation: Understanding New Media,” hypermediacy describes a characteristic of digital media where multiple forms of representation and communication coexist simultaneously, creating a heightened sense of mediation and self-awareness within the media experience.
Meanings:
- Multiplicity of Media Elements: Hypermediacy involves the presentation of a multitude of media elements such as text, images, videos, and interactive components within a single interface or platform.
- Transparent Interfaces: Instead of attempting to create a seamless illusion of reality, hypermediacy embraces the visibility of the medium itself, making users aware of the constructed nature of the media environment.
- Immediate Access to Information: Users experience a sense of immediacy and accessibility to information due to the abundance of media elements and the simultaneous display of various forms of content.
Concept:
Hypermediacy challenges the traditional notions of a transparent interface, inviting users to engage with a collage of media elements that coexist without attempting to conceal their mediated nature. It encourages a heightened awareness of the medium itself, fostering a more immersive and self-reflective experience within the digital landscape. This concept has significant implications for the understanding of contemporary media environments and the ways individuals interact with and interpret digital content.
Hypermediacy: Definition of a Theoretical Term
Hypermediacy is a theoretical term coined by media scholars Jay David Bolter and Richard Grusin in their 1999 book “Remediation.” It refers to the characteristic of digital media where multiple and diverse forms of representation coexist simultaneously within a single interface or platform. This concept emphasizes the visibility of the medium itself, challenging traditional notions of transparent interfaces and fostering a heightened awareness of the mediated nature of the digital experience.
Hypermediacy: Theorists, Works, and Argument
Theorists:
- Jay David Bolter: An American media scholar and professor who, along with Richard Grusin, introduced the concept of hypermediacy in their influential work “Remediation: Understanding New Media” published in 1999.
- Richard Grusin: An American media scholar and professor, Grusin collaborated with Jay David Bolter in the development of the hypermediacy concept, exploring its implications in the evolving landscape of new media.
Works:
- “Remediation: Understanding New Media” (1999): In this seminal work, Bolter and Grusin delve into the concepts of remediation and hypermediacy, examining how new media borrow and incorporate elements from older media forms. They argue that hypermediacy represents a departure from the transparent interfaces of traditional media, emphasizing the coexistence and visibility of multiple media elements.
Argument:
Bolter and Grusin’s argument revolves around the idea that hypermediacy in digital environments disrupts the seamless illusion of reality created by traditional media forms. They contend that hypermediacy embraces a multiplicity of media elements within a single space, foregrounding the mediated nature of the experience. The argument extends to the notion that this visibility of mediation encourages a more engaged and self-aware interaction with digital content, challenging established conventions of media representation and consumption.
Hypermediacy: Major Characteristics
- Multiplicity of Media Elements:
- Literary Reference: The novel “House of Leaves” by Mark Z. Danielewski employs footnotes, unconventional formatting, and a mix of media elements to create a hypermediate narrative structure, challenging traditional storytelling norms.
- Transparent Interfaces:
- Literary Reference: In “If on a winter’s night a traveler” by Italo Calvino, the narrator addresses the reader directly and emphasizes the act of reading, breaking the fourth wall and making the interface between the reader and the text more transparent.
- Simultaneous Representation:
- Literary Reference: In Julio Cortázar’s “Hopscotch” (“Rayuela”), the novel offers multiple possible paths for readers to navigate, presenting a non-linear narrative structure that encourages exploration and simultaneous engagement with different storylines.
- Immediate Access to Information:
- Literary Reference: Jorge Luis Borges’ short story “The Garden of Forking Paths” explores the concept of a book that contains all possible stories, reflecting the idea of immediate access to a plethora of information and narrative possibilities.
- Emphasis on Media’s Constructed Nature:
- Literary Reference: In Don DeLillo’s “White Noise,” the characters are immersed in a media-saturated environment, and the novel highlights the constructed nature of their perceptions, echoing the hypermediacy concept by exposing the mediation inherent in their experiences.
- Heightened User Awareness:
- Literary Reference: Umberto Eco’s “The Name of the Rose” involves a meta-narrative where the characters discuss the nature of books and knowledge, fostering a heightened awareness of the reader’s interaction with the text and the constructed nature of the story.
These literary references illustrate how hypermediacy’s characteristics can be identified in diverse forms of literature, showcasing the concept’s applicability beyond digital media to various narrative structures and storytelling approaches.
Hypermediacy: Relevance in Literary Theories
| Literary Theory | Relevance of Hypermediacy |
| Postmodernism | Embraces the fragmentation of narrative and multiple media forms, challenging traditional linear storytelling. |
| Reader-Response Theory | Encourages active reader engagement with various media, allowing for subjective interpretation and participation. |
| New Media Theory | Hypermediacy is a key concept, as it aligns with the nature of digital texts, incorporating diverse media elements to convey meaning. |
| Poststructuralism | Challenges the stability of meaning and authorship, as hypermediacy disrupts traditional hierarchies and fixed interpretations. |
| Transmedia Storytelling | Thrives on hypermediacy, utilizing various media platforms to expand and enrich the narrative, creating a more immersive experience. |
| Digital Poetics | Central to digital poetry, where the integration of text, image, sound, and interactivity creates a multi-sensory poetic experience. |
| Multimedia Narrative | Essential for constructing narratives that go beyond text, incorporating images, videos, and other media to enhance storytelling possibilities. |
It’s important to note that the relevance of hypermediacy may vary within each literary theory, and these generalizations are meant to provide a broad overview of its implications across different theoretical frameworks.
Hypermediacy: Application in Critiques
- House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski (Postmodern Novel):
- Positive Aspect: The novel’s use of footnotes, multiple fonts, and unconventional formatting embodies hypermediacy, creating a disorienting and immersive reading experience that mirrors the psychological themes of the story.
- Negative Aspect: The excessive use of hypermediacy may alienate some readers, making it challenging to follow the narrative. It raises questions about whether the complexity of form serves the story or becomes a barrier to understanding.
- You Choose: Scooby-Doo Mystery (Interactive Children’s Book):
- Positive Aspect: The interactive nature of the book, allowing readers to make choices for the characters, enhances engagement and empowers young readers. Hypermediacy contributes to a sense of agency in the storytelling process.
- Negative Aspect: Depending on the choices made, the narrative may lack cohesion, and the constant shifts in plot direction might compromise the development of a well-structured story. It raises concerns about the impact on the overall narrative flow.
- Inanimate Alice (Digital Interactive Fiction):
- Positive Aspect: As a digital narrative, Inanimate Alice effectively uses hypermediacy by integrating text, images, sound, and interactivity. This creates a rich and immersive storytelling experience, particularly suited for the digital medium.
- Negative Aspect: The reliance on digital elements might pose accessibility issues for readers who prefer or require more traditional formats. It prompts consideration of how hypermediacy may exclude certain audiences.
- Tree of Codes by Jonathan Safran Foer (Experimental Print Fiction):
- Positive Aspect: The physical manipulation of the book’s pages, with words cut out to form a new narrative, embodies hypermediacy in print form. This visually striking approach adds a layer of complexity and challenges conventional notions of reading.
- Negative Aspect: The novelty of the form may overshadow the substance of the narrative, leading to questions about the balance between experimental presentation and meaningful storytelling. It raises concerns about whether the artistic innovation serves a literary purpose.
Hypermediacy: Relevant Terms
| Theoretical Term | Brief Description |
| Multimodality | The use of multiple modes of communication in a text. |
| Intertextuality | References and connections to other texts within a work. |
| Remediation | The process of one medium representing another. |
| Paratext | Elements outside the main text influencing interpretation. |
| Metatextuality | Texts commenting on or referencing their own nature. |
| Palimpsest | Layers of meaning or texts superimposed on one another. |
| Fragmentation | Breaking narrative or structure into smaller components. |
| Simulacrum | Representation that replaces reality, often in a distorted form. |
| Transmediation | Adapting a narrative across different media platforms. |
| Hypertextuality | Non-linear connections and links within a textual system. |
Hypermediacy: Suggested Readings
- Bolter, Jay David, and Richard Grusin. Remediation: Understanding New Media. MIT Press, 1999.
- Danielewski, Mark Z. House of Leaves. Pantheon Books, 2000.
- Hayles, N. Katherine. Electronic Literature: New Horizons for the Literary. University of Notre Dame Press, 2008.
- Jenkins, Henry. Convergence Culture: Where Old and New Media Collide. New York University Press, 2006.
- Landow, George P. Hypertext: The Convergence of Contemporary Critical Theory and Technology. Johns Hopkins University Press, 1992.
- Manovich, Lev. The Language of New Media. MIT Press, 2001.
- Murray, Janet H. Hamlet on the Holodeck: The Future of Narrative in Cyberspace. MIT Press, 1997.
- Safran Foer, Jonathan. Tree of Codes. Visual Editions, 2010.
- Schreibman, Susan, Ray Siemens, and John Unsworth (eds.). A Companion to Digital Literary Studies. Blackwell, 2008.
- Van Dijck, José. The Culture of Connectivity: A Critical History of Social Media. Oxford University Press, 2013.