Texts, Hypertext and Authority of texts

I did put up a post on Peter Lurie taking up Derridas concept of deconstruction to explain how the web works in reading of texts.

It is quite interesting how Lurie apply this concept and probably succeeds. however, is he right in claiming that linking texts of hypertext dissolve the authority of text? Tim in one of his posts has got me thinking of this and want to explore it further.

I can not stop thinking of what "authority" we are talking about here. but first what deconstruction aims at;

• "generating conflicting meanings from the same text, and playing those meanings against each other...... (T. K. Seung)"
• "seeks to subtle, often unwitting ideological inconsistencies in a text that seem hard to resolve and that prevent interpreters from claiming that it has a fixed meaning"- claiming the text does not have fixed meaning may also imply that it speaks to people in different ways and under different circumstances. once the text is able to speak to the reader in any way, or even not to speak at all after unveiling ambiguities- it definately has authority.
• "critical overturning of all structures and hierarchies on which we have built beliefs and belief systems in culture (D. Jasper)"

but like I said our understanding of 'authority' when it comes to biblical texts has also undergone some significant changes over the years.

• In ages authority of texts is achieved when one is able to trust the scripture as the rule of life. The debate has been whether the texts become a rule of life after being asked questions (probably deconstructed) or just as it is (based on other features like inerrancy, inspiration..)

Within biblical studies, reading such as feminist readings/hermeneutic has proved beyond doubt that texts have to be peeled off their social, cultural, political lacings before we can make any claims.

Now, the aim of hypertext like Lurie explains is to understand the text better- the literal, historical, social and even the cultural dimensions of it. The text becomes a reference point (authority). after the deconstruction, one chooses which way to go- after getting appropriate meaning. In one way or the other, the text becomes a rule- give direction to the online reader. It is therefore inappropriate to say the web rips the text off authority ( as a rule).

However, if "authority' in Peter's case is to mean consistency/ in print, the text guides where to start and finish- then the text maybe dissolve of any authority online as the reader chooses where to start and end- the text nolonger guides its reading......

Check out for more on this :-)