Digital History Hacks: Methodology for the Infinite Archive
Digital History Hacks: Methodology for the Infinite Archive
It is hoped that he is not suggesting a history as desired by people but as the work of historians for the prosterity.
The article was reached through Miland Brown reference to History Carnival 30, prepared by Jeremy Boggs at Clio Web.
The main argument is that the need is being felt that the more and more people reach the original sources and comments by the historians. The digital format of the knowledge accessed through inter connectivity of computers can bring about a more bigger revolution than what the printing of the books had shown us. In the field of history, this has been said again and again but the commentators, who mainly try to discuss one period, or one event, or one type of history, actually want to say that they want that all the versions should be immediately available. It is needed because, a history student has work with the words in reference to the sources from where those words have been borrowed. In order to give a true work of history, one requires an access to primary sources and also the versions of the fellow historians.
However, what is the big history concept? Is it possible to to write the history from the big bang to the present day in its complete form? Well it can be imagined but will it be a practicle activity. Secondly, is the methodology and the real definition are decided among a larger group of history students. The consciouness of past, the past as the source of your consciousness keep on telling you that there is a filed of knowledge which deals with change and continuity over space and time and that is the only surity of the existence and continuity of the subject "history". But as far the the interpertation and methodologies that are to be adopted, it is yet to be chalked out. However, with the digital sources available online, there can be a possibility of framing a real step by step methodology.
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Dear Sumir,
ReplyDeleteI don't think we have begun to realize even a fraction of the possibilities that are raised by the massive increase in online sources and by nearly instantaneous communication. Certainly this will make the writing of history more democratic, for better or for worse. (Probably both, in different situations).
I do think that it is pretty cool that you can comment on my ideas on May 2nd, and I can respond on May 1st! These days I am thinking of these things in terms of information costs ... it has become so much less expensive for us to learn new things (in terms of time, money, and other resources.)
Best,
Bill