Reading response 19/02/2018, Cody Peters
Aleph Null 3.0 is an incredibly interesting piece of work by Jim Andrews. However, I am unsure of what level it qualifies as a piece of electronic literature. While yes, obviously there is a written component with both the word-brush option, as well as the coded aspect of the program itself, it feels more like a visual piece of art rather than a written piece of literature. The concept of the reader supplying the written piece themselves in regard to the word-brush option of the program is interesting, but at the same time it feels like providing a blank canvas for an art show; an interesting concept, but it has some inherent flaws. There is an odd play on logic involved with this. The possibilities of the work are literally infinite, as there is an exponential level of growth provided by the more people that are introduced to it being able to apply whatever words they wish. However, the opposite is possible as well; there is the potential that no one will provide any words whatsoever. This brings back the concept of a blank canvas being considered a piece of art or if it is not. If no one makes any marks on it, it is logically not a piece of art. The same goes for Aleph Null 3.0. If no one provides any words, then it is a blank page, and thus not a piece of literature.
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