The Theory and Criticism of Virtual Texts

Virtual texts have emerged within the realm of the Internet as the predominant means of global communication. As both technological and cultural artifacts, they embody and challenge cultural assumptions and invite new ways of conceptualizing knowledge, community, identity, and meaning. But despite the pervasiveness of the Internet in nearly all aspects of contemporary life, no single resource has cataloged the ways in which numerous disciplines have investigated and critiqued virtual texts. This bibliography includes more than 1500 annotated entries for books, articles, dissertations, and electronic resources on virtual texts published between 1988 and 1999. Because of the multiple contexts in which virtual texts are studied, the bibliography addresses virtual communication across a broad range of disciplines and philosophies. It encompasses studies of the historical development of virtual texts; investigations of the many interdisciplinary applications of virtual texts and discussions of such legal issues as privacy and intellectual property. Entries are arranged alphabetically within topical chapters, and extensive indexes facilitate easy access.