The Powerful Density of Hypertextual Writing
The NY Times has had a difficult time covering the 2024 election in a clear, responsible manner. But I wanted to highlight this short opinion piece from the paper’s editorial board, which I’m reproducing here in its entirety:
You already know Donald Trump. He is unfit to lead. Watch him. Listen to those who know him best. He tried to subvert an election and remains a threat to democracy. He helped overturn Roe, with terrible consequences. Mr. Trump’s corruption and lawlessness go beyond elections: It’s his whole ethos. He lies without limit. If he’s re-elected, the G.O.P. won’t restrain him. Mr. Trump will use the government to go after opponents. He will pursue a cruel policy of mass deportations. He will wreak havoc on the poor, the middle class and employers. Another Trump term will damage the climate, shatter alliances and strengthen autocrats. Americans should demand better. Vote.
What makes this piece so effective is its plain language and its information density. This density is a real strength of hypertext that is often overlooked and taken for granted. Only 110 words in that paragraph but it contains 27 links to other NYT opinion pieces published over the last several months that expand on each linked statement or argument. If you were inclined to follow these links, you could spend hours reading about how unfit Trump is for office.
A simple list of headlines would have done the same basic job, but by presenting it this way, the Times editorial board is simultaneously able to deliver a strong opinion; each of those links is like a fist pounding on the desk for emphasis. Lies, threat, corruption, cruel, autocrats — bam! bam! bam! bam! bam! Here! Are! The! Fucking! Receipts!
How the links are deployed is an integral part of how the piece is read; it’s a style of writing that is native to the web, pioneered by sites like Suck in the mid-90s. It looks so simple, but IMO, this is top-notch, subtle information design.
Discussion 5 comments
Oh my gosh, hadn’t thought about Suck for a while. I loved that crazy place so much.
I'm glad the Times has endorsed Harris, but I disagree about "plain language." "Ethos," "autocrats," and "subvert" are graduate-school level; "consequences" is mealy-mouthed, and a lot of people have no idea what "Roe" stands for. (Why isn't it one of the hyperlinks?)
Good point about "Roe"
Well-deserved shoutout:
https://daringfireball.net/2024/11/kottke_on_the_art_and_power_of_hypertextual_writing
Pioneered by Kottke, wouldn't we say? You are certainly one of those who made magic early on with hypertext and continues to do so
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