Re: [-empyre-] geography...

[Reiner Strasser <reiner.s@netartefact.de>]

>> in my sight the global network ideal is not really dead. I know that it is
>> especially lively in i.e. south american countries.
>> (maybe this ideal has lost some impact in the western world because of not
>> getting enough results in a short amount of time [it is a very slow process]
>> + politically changing atmospheres || while the Net is spreading slowlier in
>> "poorer" countries ....).
> 
> that's an interesting observation...
> maybe, after all, even in the context of the web as a means for
> distribution of multimedia content, we will see waves of creation based
> on the network, as other countries become more connected

South america (as far as I know) has a "deep" tradition in Visual Poetry -
now followig up e-poetry (inter-poetry). Maybe the different languages and
high rate of analphabetism (+ social/political conflicts) are causes for
this development. - Some may look at it with a feeling of nostalgia - but it
more behind.
Surely there will be "new waves of creation" - but laying back in frustation
about a seemingly lost ideal seems not to be a fine alternative. ;)
> 
>> As a non native english speaker I sometimes got the feeling that the english
>> centered Net is ostracizing other countries simply by being in English.
> 
> ostracizing seems a bit strong, but I understand what you mean...
> I feel more comfortable when writing French, that is clear
> it is always a struggle for me, as it must be for many other "English as
> a second language" speakers, I guess, to express myself in English
> I publish my writing in French because I believe it is important to
> acknowledge your own culture but I am happy when I can have it
> translated in order to reach the English speaking community
> the web is mostly English territory, this is a fact
> it creates a will for connection with the already existing English
> speaking communities
> it is also the responsibility of people speaking other languages to
> invade the web with their own language and create strong communities
> bilinguism is a valuable option, to be heard and seen, I think
> to exist in your own language, and be accessible to many others

I "changed" to english five years ago - one point was to have a chance for
communication on a global level. Well - english is the language on the Net
// but sometimes I get the feeling that native speakers forget that it is
not more than a convention (based on the economical situation).
I communicate i.e. with asians, other europeans ..... In english because I
do not speak any word in japanese ...... and my french or italian is poorer
than my english ...........
Expressing in "strange" languages also has some advantage --- I try to
explain simple, concentrate the ideas (and as an american journalist
mentioned "more people will have a chance to understand" --- smile).
To switch to Net-art: Using "simple" language (maybe) can be used, too - to
explain complex ideas in multilayered (-structured) environments - one of
the strong explorations of the Net ............. (and to reach a far wider
public).
> 
> Sylvie

Reiner