Just as a follow up, the reason I bring up orality is because when the database/narrative tension is brought up with textual objects, be it cyber or not, the tension seems to be far more pronounced. In a way, oral narratives and oral databases do not seem to be in contention as much as textual ones.

We have a much more difficult time trying to form a satisfying (dare I say "immersive") narrative from a hypertext or a series of web links than we do with a tarot card reading. Perhaps in the hypertext version, the database is so apparent, so obvious as technology, as structure.

I wanted to think about other narrative/database objects. What about a DJ's set? Any groove culture afficionado can tell you that a DJ spins a "tale" at the turntable. The selection of songs, the blending of song to song (beat-matching is an intense and subtle skill), and the interplay between DJ booth and audience/dancefloor are all part of the story of the set. DJs often speak of their sets like a story--there is an introduction, there is emotion, there is conflict, there is the building up of drama, there is climax, and there is denoument. A DJ therefore draws upon the database of his or her music collection imagining how different tracks from different record (funny how we privilege vinyl over CD; vinyl is better though) will fit together to tell a musical tale. Poorly mixed tracks, conspicuous changes in tempo, style, genre, or obvious DJ error can produce ruptures in the narrative and the illusion of the database/narrative object earns boos from the crowd.

I am reminded, here, of Manovich's claim that film is the perfect narrative/database object. I wonder how much of that claim is based on the fact that a film is continuous and viewers are a captive audience as long as the film folls. Like a DJ set, a film that has conspicuous difficulties with the narrative (e.g. poor cuts, poor edits, or a projector error) ruins the database/narrative object's illusion.

As Matt is fond of saying, "Discuss."

Mumbling on,
ED

Well, because I cannot figure out how to make a new posting, I will just link this to Ed's Mumbling.

There was a really interesting article in the Wall Street Journal (for which I can't provide a link because I don't subscribe online) about Avatars. It appeared in Monday's paper, page R4. The point of the article is that online virtual alter egos are big business in Korea, where 3.6 million Koreans shop for everything from cosmetic surgery to clothing for their avatars. The passage that was most fascinating to me follows:

"These colorful avatars are proving to be a popular method of escapism and self-expression. Office drones who long for the slopes have their avatars merrily skiing down digital Matterhorns. Skinny youths who want to project a tough image might purchase stubble and scowling eyes for their online selves. Others might head in the opposite direction, to a virtual beauty shop where you can purchase a tan, blue eyes or a perm for less than a dollar."

The article goes on to say that the expansion of the personal avatar business is dependent on growing and maintaining online communities that are culture specific. There is quite a bit of growth also in the branded "products" available to these avatars like Levi Jeans and Nike sportswear that not only provide the avatar with chic clothing but enhance their performance in the gaming world.

Finally, and really interesting to me, is that the products available for the avatar are time/season/current event specific. During the Sars outbreak, one could buy a mask for their avatar - so it wouldn't catch a virus? The line between the real and the virtual is really blurry.

I'll bring the article on Wednesday if anyone wants to see it.

I agree that a film is a perfect narrative/database object only in that it is perfectly conformable, in that it is mostly the product of one person's imagination, rather than a group project. Things get much more messy (and interesting, I think) when you bring in non-linear hypertext and media that don't usually play together (film and text, for instance, in a flash "movie").

I like your "spinning" of DJ-as-bard, Ed. There's definitely some narrative going on in that scene. I've been very much into electronic lounge music lately (e.g. DC's own Thievery Corporation) for that very reason.