E-way: New Verbality?

In the e-way column of Replika, numerous articles have investigated the various pressing issues emerging in and around the use of Internet communication.  From this time on, however, the editors intend to introduce the readers into the paradigm of communications theory which has played a crucial role in shaping the scientific discourse on the community development aspects of the Internet.  This paradigm, generally associated with the works of McLuhan, Ong, and Havelock, has its roots partly in Central Europe.  The writings of István Hajnal can be seen as one of the precedessors:  his work is often quoted by McLuhan and Ong.  
It is especially our pleasure to present the readers with a so far unpublished paper by István Hajnal that has survived several decades in manuscript form.  The editors thank Kristóf Nyíri for not only “discovering” the manuscript but also for contributing an introduction to its first publication.  Nyíri shows that István Hajnal’s position in intellectual history makes his work an integral part of the most recent discourses on communications theory.  
Although with this issue Replika is making its own semi-paradigmatic turn in conceptualizing the character of the e-way column, the editors do not intend to neglect practice.  This time one review article represents contemporary debates:   Béla Mester’s piece on Esther Dyson’s new book.  In the future, nonetheless, historical essays, cultural analyses, and review articles will be published side-by-side in the e-way column.