Powerlessness In Electronic Literature: By Blake Aschenbrener, Sriram Satyavolu, and Savannah WaltersMain MenuTable of ContentsExploring Powerlessness in Digital LiteratureAuthors: Blake Aschenbrener, Savannah Walters, and Sriram Satyavolu"Motions" - A Critical IntroductionSection by Blake AschenbrenerA Critical Introduction to "I Got Whacked in the Face with a Baseball Bat"Summary and Composition of the workUntrace by Serge BouchardonExplored by Savannah WaltersAbout the AuthorsSOURCESThanks for the kNoWleDgE (aka CITE THIS SHIZ)Savannah Waltersa3e04feed2edcb60509ab4c067b335e548b72fb2Sriram Satyavolu2164a22a6fd8d39c114a418d12c34b1202c37634Blake Aschenbrenerc610402479572d4bab3011c09a8d9fe15c6db0e3
Repetitive Motion Image 3
12018-11-16T04:58:54-08:00Blake Aschenbrenerc610402479572d4bab3011c09a8d9fe15c6db0e3320502The girl in this image appears randomly throughout the other images in the story.plain2018-11-18T23:56:51-08:00Blake Aschenbrenerc610402479572d4bab3011c09a8d9fe15c6db0e3
Alongside randomly generated elements, images are often recurring and reappear frequently throughout the text. In “Motions” images, such as the one of the girl posted around the screen, recur. Often the experience of Deja-Vou is experienced by the reader as the images circulate (Smith, Luers, and Dean). This repetition provides a sense of disorientation to the reader which is unique to the format of this work. Traditional novels rarely feedback material and force the reader to reanalyze what was previously stated. Not only could this be considered disorientating, but it can also be viewed as a power move. The individuals being trafficked have no control just as the reader has no control over what is seen. These situations are obviously not on the same magnitude, however; the heart of the message is being preserved. This leads to relatability and empathy within the reader which is an integral part of a piece which is designed to raise awareness of an issue. In the case of “Motions,” the reader needs to surrender power to achieve this awareness and repetition slowly gnaws away stripping the reader of their ability to choose.
