We present a novel approach to documentary storytelling that celebrate
s electronic narrative as a process in which the author(s), a networke
d presentation system, and the audience actively collaborate in the co
-construction of meaning. A spreading-activation network is used to se
lect relevant story elements from a multimedia database and dynamicall
y conjoin them into an appealing, coherent narrative presentation. The
flow of positive or negative ''energies'' through associative keyword
links determines which story materials are presented as especially re
levant ''next steps'' and which ones recede into the background out of
sight. The associative nature of this navigation serves to enhance me
aning while preserving narrative continuity This approach is well-suit
ed for the telling of stories that-because of their complexity, breadt
h, or bulk-are best communicated through variable-presentation systems
. Connected to the narrative engine through rich feedback loops and in
tuitively understandable interfaces, the audience becomes an active pa
rtner in the shaping and presentation of story.