Hard Times is a remix and response of the Charles Dickens short story of the same name, created by Matt Mason.  Like the original, it addresses problems of the modern age that arise due to advancements in technology and society.  The old models, precepts, and expectations of interactivity and reactions between people are not as relevant; they’re being usurped. The things that make us happy in life are generally consistent. However we are unsuccessfully continuing to replace those things with materialism and a reliance on new technologies.  Hard Times is presented as a series of pages in a flash slideshow. Each left-hand page has a title as the main idea while the right side contains supporting information.

Interactivity is limited to simply advancing to the next page via clicking, but the story is immersive in the way the information is laid out. The reader has to discover the reading order of the text blocks.  It doesn’t rely on new technology and techniques in order to support its theme.

As a new media object, Hard Times successfully limits its use of technology to keep with its themes.  It’s not difficult to learn the mode of interaction.  Also,  its delivery of the information is very efficient and appropriate to a web environment.

On the other hand, the plot and individual characters have been completely removed which limits interest.  Too, additional interactivity could enhance the experience.

(Alyssa, Daniel, Will)