"Days of JavaMoon" by Duc Thuan

This hypertext work interconnects the moon with women, sexuality, Tantric texts, ancient folk medicine, and JavaScript. Yes. JavaScript. And it works because it aligns computer scripting codes with ancient algorithms: in this case, recipes and potions for psychological and sexual male enhancement. The scripting language displayed in some of the lexia is readable for those with some code literacy, and can be followed along by most, since it contains abundant natural language. Gender politics feature prominently in this work, touching on themes of sexual abuse, homosexuality, sexual enhancement, ancient recipes for gaining power over women, penis enlargement, modern ways in which women have low self-esteem, religion, and more. The audio component is in Realplayer format, a plugin that can be annoyingly commercial, but the experience is certainly enhanced by the light touches of music and sound in this piece. This piece has some random and interactive elements, and is therefore worth exploring several times to get a sense for the whole.