So, I was thinking about the non-linearity that can be exploited in digital literature. My thoughts fell in these main areas.
The defining of a characteristic solely as NOT something
There are so many different configurations that non-linear can take – some of them actually fairly linear! Non-linear seems to mean just not one particular, ordered chain of events that is intended to be read in the same sequence by all consumers. There are so many forms this can take, though, and I think some are more suited to different stages of cognitive and reading development – some definition within this category would be helpful.
We are humans, not Time Lords
As I understand it, humans tend to perceive time and space linearly, even if scientific theories (and science-fiction) put forward the view of it as more of a string, a loop or a ball of wibbly-wobbly, timey-wimey stuff. (This may be full to the brim of Western cultural bias – please direct me to literature that contradicts this if you know of it!) I would argue that narrative, to be understood as narrative, requires some sort of coherent line or shape (though not necessarily a single, straight, unbroken line) to be recognised as narrative by people.
Trying to run before you walk or crawl can cause performance issues
My daughter missed out on much of the crawling stage of her infancy due to treatment for hip displaysia. One result of that was that she lacked core strength typically acquired in that phase of development. This led to issues with posture, grip, and handwriting that led to Occupational Therapy in Year 1. Just as there are stages of physical development, where skipping the usual progression can lead to issues in seemingly unrelated areas (poor handwriting as a result of minimal crawling was not on my radar!), I would argue that the development of reading comprehension may require an understanding of linearity and chronological progression before being able to effectively make meaning from non-linear texts. I suspect that shuffling the order of this development might lead to issues of understanding in seemingly unrelated areas.
What do you think?
References
GIOHY. (n.d.). 1×02 gif [GIF]. Retrieved from https://giphy.com/gifs/1×02-KkwuweDV2Gkdq.