The short reading, Marginalia in the Library of Babel by Mark C. Marino, left a lasting impact on me after I read it, which I believe was his intention. This work follows Marino as he creates a powerful reader response to Borges’ work “Library of Babel” and shows the effect that was imprinted on him after he read it. Marino describes how he craves leaving his mark on the world the same way Babel left such a mark on him. This is represented in the quote, “But my machine is evolving the power of speech. It told me I was not alone, that I could leave a record of my footsteps, carve my marks upon the wall for those who discover my hexagonal cell. How can I not help but be gladdened by the possibility? Unless it is not a possibility. Unless I am, as always no more than a trace imagined by these packet-switching machines and their omniscient fiber-optics.” This quote not only represents Marino’s lust for leaving a record of his footsteps in the world, but the undeniable human instinct to want to make a change and leave the world different from which they came. Humans crave to be special and to never be forgotten after they’re gone because death is such a scary idea. However, being able to leave a lasting memory or impact makes it less frightening. This quote also represents an existential crisis, because he is going back and forth on whether or not this is a possibility, then becomes insecure, thinking that maybe he isn’t special and will just be forgotten after all. Another powerful idea discussed in this response by Marino is the idea of being able to leave your footprints and mark behind by writing in the margins of a novel. That in itself is a reader response, and if somebody finds that book one day, they will see the mark you have left. It is a small gesture that can leave a lasting impact. That’s why it is important to write in your books, because you never know who might read them after you do.