ELECTRONIC SCHOLARSHIP - OR, SCHOLARLY PUBLISHING AND THE PUBLIC (REPRINTED FROM THE LITERARY TEXT IN THE DIGITAL AGE, PG 233, 1996)

In order to understand the real importance of electronic scholarly edi tions, we must see electronic scholarship in its larger cultural conte xt. Many in the academy resist the change introduced by new technologi es, a stance that serves the interests of those who would like to see the least possible alteration of the property system or the role of th e consumer. This resistance is clearly voiced by academic Sven Birkert s, whose criticisms of the digital world foreground fear of depersonal ization, inauthenticity, subjugation to the mechanical, and the substi tution of quantity for quality. Electronic scholarly editions will alt er the course of the academic profession, but will also open new oppor tunities for redefining scholarly inquiry and communication. Already, communication over the networks, in a variety of modes, enhances colla boration, connection, and initiative. Primary materials are made avail able to a broader audience. Most important, we have an opportunity to alter how we, as scholars, structure our relation to the general publi c - although this restructuring, if it proceeds too slowly, may not pr oduce a real difference.