The Death of the Novel

If the novel is to be regarded as an early form of virtual reality, it only makes sense that the next logical step be in the direction of the hypertextual/multimedia text (for lack of a better word).

Why is this important?

Well, it's not. I mean, what's the point of any of this, really?

Actually, it's important because one must understand that the novel is not a permanent fixture in our culture (or any culture for that matter), but rather, one link in a chain of alternate-reality-inducing creative endeavors.

And so it follows that the novel will be replaced. Death is inevitable.