Bolter Ch.1

          Most of what Bolter had to say about the evolution of print is pretty obviously known. Like Bolter explained, the way text has been communicated throughout history has constantly changed from writing on stones to writing with ink on animal hyde to paper. Books were an innovation of their own time and, "Now, however, the distinction between lasting texts and pragmatic communication has broken down, and all kinds of communication are being digitized" (Bolter 2).
          Abnormal discourse can be productive because it is helping ideas be developed. Personally, when I'm given no direction whatsoever it is much more difficult for me to write something or come up with an idea or even just focus on doing an assignment than it is if I had some structure and direction. Guidelines help narrow the thinking process down. Otherwise I think too greatly, and have more difficulty creating something of substance. It's more productive to have some direction and goal in mind so abnormal discourse is definitely productive. Looking at this in connection to other points Bolter made, I see that abnormal discourse could possibly come in handy when dealing with the medium that you are writing with. Bolter talks about how, "The shift to the computer may make writing more flexible, but it also threatens the definition of good writing and careful reading that have developed in association with the technique of printing" (Bolter 4).