Ellen Rooney and Elizabeth Weed D I F F e R e N C e S in The Shadows of The Digital Humanities

\oIume z, NumIer :
d i f f e r e n c e s
In Ihe Shadovs oI Ihe DIIIaI HumanIIIes
iii Editors Note
the shadowy
digital humanities
vrNoY uii xYoNc cuiN and Lisn \nvir vuooY 1 Working the Digital Humanities:
Uncovering Shadows between
the Dark and the Light
vi1n vnLrY 26 Digital Humanities for the
Next Five Minutes
\n11urv xivscurNvni\ 46 What Is Digital Humanities,
and Why Are They Saying Such
Terrible Things about It?
rioNn \. vnvNr11 64 The Brave Side of Digital
Humanities
vicunvo cvisiN 79 The Dark Side of Digital
Humanities: Dispatches from
Two Recent mla Conventions
norLiNr xou 93 Niceness, Building, and Opening
the Genealogy of the Digital
Humanities: Beyond the
Social Contract of Humanities
Computing
shadowing the
digital humanities
nLrxnNorv v. cnLLovnY 107 The Cybernetic Hypothesis
vvinN LrNNoN 132 The Digital Humanities and
National Security
onvio coLi\vin 156 Death of a Discipline
in the shade of
the digital humanities
1nvn \crurvsoN 177 Designing for Diference
rn1vicx ncoon 189 Gaming the Humanities
\icunrL oir1rv 216 The Virtues of Critical Technical
Practice
\oIume z, NumIer : ooi :o.:z:/:oog:zzS
zo: Iy Brovn InIversIIy and d i f f e r e n c e s : A Journal of Feminist Cultural Studies

ThaI ve vere Iormed Ihen saysI Ihou
and Ihe vorL
OI secondary hands, Iy IasL
IransIerred
Irom IaIher Io hIs Son SIrane oInI
and nev!
DocIrIne vhIch ve vouId Lnov
vhence IearnI: vho sav
When IhIs creaIIon vas BememIersI
Ihou
Thy maLIn, vhIIe Ihe MaLer ave
Ihee IeIn
We Lnov no IIme vhere ve vere noI
as nov;
Knov none IeIore us, seIIIeoI,
seIIraIsed
By our ovn quIcLnIn over, vhen
IaIaI course
Had cIrcIed hIs IuII orI, Ihe IIrIh
maIure
OI IhIs our naIIve heavn, eIhereaI
sons.
Our uIssance Is our ovn, our ovn
rIhI hand
ShaII Ieach us hIhesI deeds, Iy rooI
Io Iry
Who Is our equaI.
IucIIer, Paradise Lost
Editors note. BIrIhIn a dIscIIIne Is an InIrIcaIe IasL, exhIIa
raIIn and exhausIIn, unredIcIaIIe and conIesIed, haunIed Iy conIradIc
IIon and even anIaonIsm. WhIIe ve Lnov very veII IhaI Ihe rocess Is never
IInear, II seems IhaI ve cannoI heI IuI comose IIs hIsIory as a LInd oI
chronoIoy, a IImeIIne oI dIscovery, InsIIIuIIonaIIzaIIon, and Ihe seemInIy
InevIIaIIe emerence oI normaI scIence. DIscIIInes enaIIe InIeIIecIuaI IaIor
vIIhIn esIaIIIshed roIocoIs and assume Ihe Iorm oI a movIn consensus;
Ihey maLe a meaI oI conIcI InsoIar as deIaIe Is arI oI Ihe dIscIIInes
corus, noI IIs undoIn. AII IhIs Is novhere more oIvIous Ihan In conIcIs
aIouI dIscIIInary Iorms, ends, and orIIns.
IIurIn a nev dIscIIIne, maLIn meIahors Io reIsIer IIs dII
Ierence and yeI veave II a Iace amon Ihe oIher dIscIIInes, Is essenIIaI IuI
IrauhI and aIvays Io some deree IIInd: IIs InsIhIs casI shadovs II can
noI Ioresee. 1ohn Crove Bansom comIaIns In CrIIIcIsm, Inc. (:g), hIs
oIemIc on IehaII oI Ihe Nev CrIIIcIsm: II Is sIrane, IuI noIody seems Io
have IoId us vhaI exacIIy Is Ihe roer IusIness oI crIIIcIsm (z). DeIIm
IIIn IhaI roer IusIness enIaIIs Ihe over Io dene a IheoreIIcaI oIjecI,
iv Editors Note
name Ihe roIIemaIIcs II savns and Ihe rojecIs, readIns, exerImenIs,
and IruIhs II enenders: Io consIIIuIe a eId. Bansom condemns hIs coI
Ieaues, IIIeraIure Ieachers sIyIed roIessor, vho IaIIed Io creaIe a sIan
dard Ior crIIIcIsm, and Iemoans Ihe chaos vhere dIscIIIned cIarIIy ouhI
Io reIn. WhaI Is crIIIcIsm he vonders. IasIer Io asL, WhaI Is crIIIcIsm
noI II Is an acI nov noIorIousIy arIIIrary and undened (z).
OI course, IhIs once noIorIous IacL oI denIIIon IeaI Ihe eId
denIn InIeIIecIuaI Iorce oI Nev CrIIIcIsm, vhIch domInaIed IIIerary
sIudIes Ior Ivo eneraIIons. One mIhI Ie IorIven Ior execIIn IhaI Ihe
academys Ion exerIence oI IrInIn dIscIIInes InIo Ihe vorId vouId
maLe Ihe rocess Iess oaque, more redIcIaIIe, even overnaIIe Iy some
seI oI convenIIons. BuI as Ihe essays on Ihe dIIIaI humanIIIes coIIecIed here
demonsIraIe, our osIdIscIIInary momenI has onIy made Ihe InIerroaIIon
oI dIscIIInary IoundarIes, orIIns, and eecIs more urenI and more oen
Io IundamenIaIIy dIverIn anaIyses. Our deIaIes aIouI hov a dIscIIIne
Is raIsed and IIs dIsIIncIIons acquIred, and vhose IusIness II Is Io ansver
Ihe quesIIon vhaI Is ..., InIensIIy as our conscIousness oI Ihe arIIce oI
dIscIIInarIIy IIseII deeens. These deIaIes are no Ioner IaIe henomena
IhaI emere vhen an esIaIIIshed eId Iurns Io seIIcrIIIcIsm, IuI are aIvays
aIready In Iay, shadovIn Ihe dIscIIIne even as II rsI arIses, nds IIs
IooIIn, and cIaIms IIs auIhorIIy.
The conIrIIuIors Io IhIs Issue aroach Ihe dIIIaI humanIIIes
Irom radIcaIIy dIerenI ersecIIves and come Io IundamenIaIIy dIerenI
concIusIons concernIn IIs orIIns, naIure, roer and Imroer oIjecIs,
ossIIIe IuIures, and currenI ImacI on Ihe unIversIIy and IIs oIhers. The
LnovIede IhaI Ihe dazzIIn IrIner oI IIhI, MIIIons IucIIer, IrashIy dIs
avovs, LnovIede oI a IIme vhen ve vere noI as ve are nov, Is exIIcIIIy
aI vorL In every essay coIIecIed here. ThIs emIrace oI a heIeroeneous asI
recIudes Ihe IanIasy oI seIIIeeIIIn and seeLs InsIead Io comrehend
Ihe uneven rocess oI dIerenIIaIIon Iy vhIch a dIscIIIne comes InIo
IeIn, susIaIns IIs racIIce, and evoIves. II reIuses any sInIe orIIn sIory
and, IhereIore, cannoI roose a sInIe vIsIon oI Ihe resenI or docIrIne Ior
Ihe IuIure. In IIs Iace, dierences readers vIII encounIer an IIIumInaIIn
deIaIe IhaI InIerroaIes Ihe very ossIIIIIIIes oI seIImaLIn and IransarenI
IIneae. IxIorIn Ihe shadovs casI Iy varIous IaIes oI Ihe orIIn, our con
IrIIuIors roose rIch, chaIIenIn accounIs oI Ihe onoIn IasL oI maLIn
meanIn In Ihe dIIIaI humanIIIes and oI our ovn quIcLnIn over.
d i f f e r e n c e s v
The edIIors vIsh Io acLnovIede Ihe zo: Modern Ianuaes
AssocIaIIon AnnuaI ConvenIIon aneI oranIzed Iy BIchard GrusIn, The
DarL SIde oI Ihe DIIIaI HumanIIIes, aI vhIch Iour oI Ihese essays vere
orIInaIIy resenIed.
MIIIon, 1ohn. Paradise Lost. BooL . IIIeraIure.or: The OnIIne IIIeraIure IIIrary. vvv
.IIIeraIure.or/auIhors/mIIIonjohn/aradIseIosI/chaIero.hImI (accessed :S Nov. zo:).
Bansom, 1ohn Crove. CrIIIcIsm, Inc. :g. The Worlds Body. Nev YorL: ScrIIner, :gS. zo.
Works Cited
\oIume z, NumIer : ooi :o.:z:/:oog:z:gg8
vrNoY uii xYoNc cuiN and Lisn \nvir vuooY
Working the Digital Humanities:
Uncovering Shadows between the Dark and the Light
The IoIIovIn Is an exchane IeIveen Ihe Ivo auIhors In
resonse Io a aer Iven Iy Chun aI Ihe DarL SIde oI Ihe DIIIaI HumanI
IIes aneI aI Ihe zo: Modern Ianuaes AssocIaIIon (\Ln) AnnuaI Conven
IIon. ThIs aneI, desIned Io rovoLe conIroversy and deIaIe, succeeded In
doIn so. Hovever, In order Io creaIe a more rIorous conversaIIon Iocused
on Ihe many Issues raIsed and eIIded and on Ihe ossIIIIIIIes and IImIIaIIons
oI dIIIaI humanIIIes as Ihey currenIIy exIsI, ve have roduced IhIs coI
IaIoraIIve IexI. Common Ihemes In Bhodys and Chuns resonses are: Ihe
need Io Irame dIIIaI humanIIIes vIIhIn Iarer chanes Io unIversIIy IundIn
and sIrucIure, Ihe ImorIance oI enaIn vIIh uncerIaInIy and Ihe vays
In vhIch dIIIaI humanIIIes can eIucIdaIe shadovs In Ihe archIve, and
Ihe need Ior and dIcuIIy oI creaIIn aIIIances across dIverse dIscIIInes.
We hoe IhaI IhIs IexI rovoLes more rumInaIIons on Ihe IuIure
oI Ihe unIversIIy (raIher Ihan sImIy on Ihe humanIIIes) and Ieads Io more
vary, creaIIve, and IruIIIuI enaemenIs vIIh dIIIaI IechnoIoIes IhaI are
IncreasInIy shaIn Ihe vays and means Iy vhIch ve IhInL.
2 Working the Digital Humanities
Part
The Digital Humanities:
A Case of Cruel Optimism? (Chun)
What follows is the talk given by Wendy Chun on January , , at the \Ln convention in
Boston. It focuses on a paradox between the institutional hype surrounding DH and the mate-
rial work conditions that frequently support it (adjunct/soft money positions, the constant
drive to raise funds, the lack of scholarly recognition of DH work for promotions). Chun calls
for scholars across all elds to work together to create a university that is fair and just for
all involved (teachers, students, researchers). She also urges us to nd value in what is often
discarded as useless in order to take on the really hard problems that face us.
I vanI Io sIarI Iy IhanLIn BIchard UrusIn Ior oranIzIn IhIs
roundIaIIe. Im excIIed Io Ie a arI oI II. I aIso vanI Io sIarI Iy varnIn you
IhaI veve Ieen asLed Io Ie rovocaIIve, so III use my eIhI mInuIes here
Ioday Io rovoLe: Io aIIaIe and erhas aravaIe, excIIe and erhas IncIIe.
For today, I want to propose that the dark side of the digital humanities is
its bright side, its alleged promiseIIs aIIeed romIse Io save Ihe humanI
IIes Iy maLIn Ihem and IheIr raduaIes reIevanI, Iy IvIn IheIr raduaIes
IechnIcaI sLIIIs IhaI vIII aIIov Ihem Io IhrIve In a dIcuII and recarIous
joI marLeI. SeaLIn arIIy as a Iormer enIneer, IhIs romIse sIrILes me
as IuII: LnovIn cis (eorahIc InIormaIIon sysIems) or IasIc sIaIIsIIcs or
IasIc scrIIIn (or even serversIde scrIIIn) Is noI oIn Io maLe InIIsh
majors comeIIIIve vIIh enIneers or cs (comuIer scIence) eeLs IraIned
here or IncreasInIy aIroad. (*SIraIhI u rorammIn joIs are IecomIn
IncreasInIy Iess IucraIIve.*) But let me be clear: my critique is not directed
at DH per se. DH rojecIs have exIended and reneved Ihe humanIIIes and
reveaIed IhaI Ihe LInds oI crIIIcaI IhInLIn (cIose IexIuaI anaIysIs) IhaI Ihe
humanIIIes have aIvays Ieen enaed In Is and has aIvays Ieen cenIraI
Io craIIIn IechnoIoy and socIeIy. DH rojecIs such as IemInIsI DIaIoues
In TechnoIoy, a dIsIrIIuIed onIIne cooeraIIve course IhaI vIII Ie IauhI
In IIeen unIversIIIes across Ihe IoIe, and oIher sImIIar courses IhaI use
IechnoIoy noI sImIy Io dIssemInaIe IuI aIso Io cooeraIIveIy reIhInL and
reeneraIe educaIIon on a IoIaI scaIeIhese rojecIs are cenIraI. In addI
IIon, Ihe humanIIIes shouId Iay a II roIe In II daIa, noI sImIy Iecause
vere ood aI aIIern reconIIIon (Iecause ve can read narraIIves emIed
ded In daIa) IuI aIso, and more ImorIanIIy, Iecause ve can see vhaI II
daIa Inores. We can see Ihe vays In vhIch so many II daIa rojecIs, Iy
resIrIcIIn IhemseIves Io cerIaIn daIaIases and Ierms, shIne a ashIIhI
under a sIreeIIam.
d i f f e r e n c e s 3
I also want to stress that my sympathetic critique is not aimed
at the humanities, but at the general euphoria surrounding technology and
education. ThaI Is, II IaLes aIm aI Ihe Iarer rojecI oI revrIIIn oIIIIcaI and
edaoIcaI roIIems InIo IechnoIoIcaI ones, InIo roIIems IhaI IechnoI
oy can x. ThIs revrIIIn ranes Irom Ihe Idea IhaI \oocs (massIve oen
onIIne courses), raIher Ihan a serIous uIIIc commIImenI Io educaIIon, can
soIve Ihe roIIem oI Ihe sIraIIn cosIs oI educaIIon (\oocs IhaI enroII IuI
donI raduaIe; \oocs IhaI mIss Ihe oInI oI vhaI ve do, Ior vhen IecIures
vorL, Ihey vorL Iecause Ihey creaIe communIIIes, Iecause Ihey are, Io use
BenedIcI Andersons hrase, exIraordInary mass ceremonIes) Io Ihe IIInd
emIrace oI IechnIcaI sLIIIs. To uI II as IaInIy as ossIIIe: Ihere are a IoI oI
unemIoyed enIneers ouI Ihere, Irom IorIysomeIhIn assemIIy roram
mers In SIIIcon \aIIey Io youn LIds raduaIIn Irom communIIy coIIees
vIIh cs derees and no joIs. AIso, Iheres a hue a IeIveen IndusIrIaI
sLIIIs and unIversIIy IraInIn. Ivery ood enIneer has Io Ie reIauhI hov
Io roram; every Im raduaIe, reIauhI Io maLe Ims.
My main argument is this: the vapid embrace of the digital is a
form of what Lauren Berlant has called cruel optimism. BerIanI arues,
|A] reIaIIon oI crueI oIImIsm exIsIs vhen someIhIn you desIre Is acIuaIIy
an oIsIacIe Io your ourIshIn (:). She emhasIzes IhaI oIImIsIIc reIa
IIons are noI InherenIIy crueI, IuI Iecome so vhen Ihe oIjecI IhaI dravs
your aIIachmenI acIIveIy Imedes Ihe aIm IhaI IrouhI you Io II InIIIaIIy.
CrucIaIIy, IhIs aIIachmenI Is douIIy crueI InsoIar as Ihe very Ieasures oI
IeIn InsIde a reIaIIon have Iecome susIaInIn reardIess oI Ihe conIenI oI
Ihe reIaIIon, such IhaI a erson or vorId nds IIseII Iound Io a sIIuaIIon oI
roIound IhreaI IhaI Is, aI Ihe same IIme, roIoundIy conrmIn (z).
So, the blind embrace of DH (*IhInL here oI SIanIey IIshs The
OId Order ChaneIh*) aIIovs us Io IeIIeve IhaI IhIs IIme (once aaIn)
raduaIe sIudenIs vIII eI joIs. It allows us to believe that the problem fac-
ing our students and our profession is a lack of technical savvy rather than
an economic system that undermines the future of our students.
As BerIanI oInIs ouI, Ihe hardesI IhIn aIouI crueI oIImIsm Is
IhaI, even as II desIroys us In Ihe Ion Ierm, II susIaIns us In Ihe shorI Ierm.
DH aIIovs us Io Iread vaIer: Io survIve, II noI IhrIve. (*ThInL here oI Ihe
vays In vhIch so many DH rojecIs and joIs deend on soII money and Ihe
vays In vhIch DH rojecIs are oIIenand very unIaIrIynoI counIed Iovard
Ienure or romoIIon.*) II aIIovs us Io susIaIn ourseIves and Io jusIIIy our
exIsIence In an academy IhaI Is IncreasInIy a sInLIn shI.
The humanities are sinkingif they arenot because of their
earlier embrace of theory or multiculturalism, but because they have capitu-
lated to a bureaucratic technocratic logic. They have conceded Io a IoIc, an
enIramIn (*Io use HeIdeers Ierm*), IhaI has made uIIIshIn a quesIIon
oI quanIIIy raIher Ihan quaIIIy, so IhaI ve sev IorIh \is or mInImum
uIIIshaIIe unIIs; a IoIc, an enIramIn, IhaI can maLe IeachIn a Iurden
raIher Ihan a mIssIon, so IhaI roIessors and sIudenIs are IncreasInIy aI
odds; a IoIc, an enIramIn, IhaI has dIvIded Ihe roIessIon and made us
our ovn vorsI enemIes, so IhaI Ihose vho have joIs Ior IIIe deny joIs Io
oIhersoIhers vho have oIIen accomIIshed more Ihan Ihey (Ihan ve) have.
The academy is a sinking shipif it isbecause it sinks our
students into debt, and this debt, generated by this optimistic belief that a
university degree automatically guarantees a job, is what both sustains and
kills us. ThIs resIduaI IeIIeI/hoe sIems Irom anoIher IIme, vhen mosI oI
us couIdnI o Io unIversIIy, anoIher IIme, vhen youn aduIIs vIIh derees
receIved ood joIs noI necessarIIy Iecause oI vhaI Ihey Iearned, IuI Iecause
oI Ihe socIeIy In vhIch Ihey IIved.
Now, if the bright side of the digital humanities is the dark side,
let me suggest that the dark sidewhat is now considered to be the dark
sidemay be where we need to be. The dark side, after all, is the side of pas-
sion. The darL sIde, or vhaI has Ieen made darL, Is vhaI aII IhaI IrIhI IaIL
has Ieen IurnIn avay Irom (crIIIcaI Iheory, crIIIcaI race sIudIesaII IhaI
IaIuIous vorL IhaI -TransIormDH Is doIn).
This dark side also entails taking on our fears and biases to create
deeper collaborations with the sciences and engineering. II enIaIIs IorIn
joInI (IrIcIIonaI and someIImes IracIIous) coaIIIIons Io IaLe on roIIems such
as educaIIon, IoIaI chane, and so on. II means reaIIzIn IhaI Ihe humanI
IIes donI have a IocL on creaIIve or crIIIcaI IhInLIn and IhaI research In
Ihe scIences can Ie as useIess as research In Ihe humanIIIesand IhaI IhIs
Is a ood IhIn. IIs caIIed IasIc research.
It also entails realizing that whats most interesting about the
digital in general is perhaps not what has been touted as its promise, but
rather, whats been discarded or decried as its trash. (*ThInL here oI aII
Ihose IaIIed DH IooIs, vhIch have sIIII oened u nev dIrecIIons.*) II enIaIIs
reaIIzIn IhaI vhaIs mosI InIeresIIn Is vhaI has Ieen dIscarded or decrIed
as inhuman: ramanI uIIIcIIy, anonymIIy, Ihe vays In vhIch Ihe InIerneI
vexes Ihe reIaIIonshI IeIveen uIIIc and rIvaIe, Ihe vays II comro
mIses our auIonomy and InvoIves us vIIh oIhers and oIher machInes In
vays ve donI enIIreIy Lnov and conIroI. (*ThInL here oI Ihe consIanI and
romIscuous exchane oI InIormaIIon IhaI drIves Ihe InIerneI, someIhIn
IhaI Is usuaIIy hIdden Irom us.*)
As NaIaIIa CecIre has arued, DH Is IesI vhen II IaLes on Ihe
humanIIIes, as veII as Ihe dIIIaI. Maybe, just maybe, by taking on the
inhumanities, well transform the digital as well.
ThanL you.
The sections in asterisks are either points implied in my visuals or in the talk, which I have
elaborated upon in this written version.
Part
The Digital Humanities as Chiaroscuro (Rhody)
TaLIn as a oInI oI dearIure your IhouhIIuI InversIon oI
Ihe IrIhI and darL sIdes oI Ihe dIIIaI humanIIIes, I vanI Io IeIn Iy
revIsIIIn Ihe orIIn oI Ihose Ierms as Ihey are Iorn ouI oI rheIorIc sur
roundIn Ihe zoog \Ln AnnuaI ConvenIIon, vhen academIc and ouIar
nevs ouIIeIs seemed rsI Io reconIze dIIIaI humanIIIes schoIarshI and,
In Iurn, Io ceIeIraIe II aaInsI a dreary IacLdro oI economIc recessIon and
unIversIIy resIrucIurIn. MosI IrequenIIy, such Ianuae reIers Io WIIIIam
PannaacLers Chronicle of Higher Education IIo osI on DecemIer z8,
zoog, In vhIch he vrIIes:
Amid all the doom and gloom of the \Ln Convention, one
eld seems to be alive and well: the digital humanities. More than
that: Among all the contending subelds, the digital humanities
seem like the rst next big thing in a long time, because the
implications of digital technology aect every eld.
I think we are now realizing that resistance is futile.
One convention attendee complained that this \Ln seems more
like a conference on technology than one on literature. I saw the
complaint on Twitter. (\Ln)
OI course, PannaacLers reIaIIonshI Io dIIIaI humanIIIes has chaned
sInce hIs rsI osI. In a IaIer Chronicle IIo enIry reardIn Ihe zo:z \Ln
AnnuaI ConvenIIon, PannaacLer vaILed IacL hIs earIIer characIerIzaIIon
oI Ihe dIIIaI humanIIIes, exIaInIn: I rereI IhaI my cIaIm aIouI DH as
Ihe Nv1vhIch I meanI In a serIous vayhas Iecome a IasIs Ior a rheIorIc
IhaI resenIs II as some assIn Iad IhaI mosI IacuIIy memIers can dIsmIss or
even IIocL vhen DHers come u Ior Ienure (ComeIoDH). InIorIunaIeIy
Ior Ihe uIIIcs erceIIon oI dIIIaI humanIIIes, Ihe rovocaIIveness oI Pan
naacLers earIIer rheIorIc conIInues Io receIve much more aIIenIIon Ihan
Ihe reIracIIons he has vrIIIen sInce.
In zoog, Ihouh, PannaacLer vas reacIIn Io Ihe doom and
Ioom vIIh vhIch a DecemIer : New York Times arIIcIe seI Ihe sIae Ior
Ihe \Ln AnnuaI ConvenIIon Iy cIIIn dIsmaI joI rosecIs Ior PhD raduaIes.
The Times arIIcIe IeIns vIIh a soIerIn sIaIIsIIc: IacuIIy osIIIons vIII
decIIne ercenI, Ihe IIesI dro sInce Ihe rou Iean IracLIn IIs joI
IIsIIns years ao (IevIn). PannaacLer, Ihouh, vasnI Ihe rsI one vho
caIIed dIIIaI humanIIIes a IrIhI soI. ThaI erson vas Iaura MandeII, In
her osI on Ihe ArmsIron InsIIIuIe Ior InIeracIIve MedIa SIudIes (ni\s) IIo
on 1anuary :, zo:o, jusI IoIIovIn Ihe conIerence: DIIIaI HumanIIIes made
Ihe nevs: Ihese aneIs vere consIdered Io Ie Ihe one IrIhI soI amId Ihe
doom and Ioom oI a IaIIen economy, a severeIy deressed joI marLeI, and
Ihe secIer oI unIversIIyresIrucIurIn IhaI vIII InevIIaIIy IImII Ihe scoe
and svay oI dearImenIs oI InIIsh and oIher IIIeraIures and Ianuaes
(DIIIaI). In neIIher her ni\s osI nor In her \Ln aer does MandeII
suorI a vaId emIrace oI Ihe dIIIaI or chamIon dIIIaI humanIIIes as
a solution Io Ihe sense oI doom and Ioom In Ihe academy. BaIher, In IoIh,
MandeII candIdIy and oenIy conIends vIIh one oI Ihe reaIesI chaIIenes
Io dIIIaI humanIIIes vorL: coIIaIoraIIon.
The IrIhIness surroundIn dIIIaI humanIIIes aI Ihe zoog
\Ln convenIIon vas Iased on Ihe oIservaIIon IhaI DH and medIa sIudIes
aneIs drev such hIh aIIendance because Ihey Iocused on IonsIandIn,
unresoIved Issues noI jusI Ior dIIIaI humanIIIes IuI Ior Ihe sIudy oI IIIera
Iure and Ianuae aI Iare. Ior examIe, In MandeIIs sessIon, IInLs and
KInLs In Ihe ChaIn: CoIIaIoraIIon In Ihe DIIIaI HumanIIIesa sessIon
resIded over Iy Tanya CIemenI (InIversIIy oI MaryIand, CoIIee ParL)
and IhaI aIso IncIuded 1ason B. 1ones (CenIraI ConnecIIcuI SIaIe InIver
sIIy), BeIhany NovvIsLIe (Neatline, InIversIIy oI \IrInIa), TImoIhy PoveII
(Ojibwe Archives, InIversIIy oI PennsyIvanIa), and 1ason Bhody (NaIIonaI
IndovmenI Ior Ihe HumanIIIes |Nru])resenIers addressed Ihe chaIIenes
and cauIIous oIImIsm IhaI schoIarIy coIIaIoraIIon In Ihe conIexI oI dIIIaI
humanIIIes rojecIs requIres. IIz Ioshs reecIIons on Ihe aneI recaII a
erceIved consensus IhaI coIIaIoraIIon Is hard enouh IhaI one mIhI Ie
IemIed Io vrIIe II o as a IooIs errand, as NovvIsLIes IonueIncheeL use
oI an Imae IIIIed The MInIsIry oI SIIIy WaILs (Iorroved Irom a MonIy
PyIhon sLII) ImIIed. BuI neIIher NovvIsLIes nor MandeIIs oInI vas Io sIo
IryIn; quIIe Ihe oosIIe, IheIr messae vas IhaI coIIaIoraIIon IaLes hard
vorL, aIIence, revIsIons Io exIsIIn assumIIons aIouI academIc sIaIus,
and a vIIIInness Io comromIse vhen Ihe sIaLes IeeI hIh. As MandeII
recaIIs In her osI: |M]y dee sense oI II Is IhaI ve came Io some concIu
sIons (rovIsIonaI, oI course). DIIIaI HumanIsIs, ve decIded, are concerned
Io roIecI Ihe oenness oI coIIaIoraIIon and InIeIIecIuaI equaIIIy oI arIIcI
anIs In varIous rojecIs vhIIe InsurIn Ihe roIessIonaI IeneIs Ior Ihose
conIrIIuIors vhose osIIIons vIIhIn academIa are noI equaI (rad sIudenIs,
saIarIed emIoyees, roIessors) (DIIIaI). ThaI Is a IaII order, esecIaIIy
Iecause dIIIaI humanIIIes schoIarshI unseIIIes deeIy rooIed InsIIIuIIonaI
IeIIeIs aIouI hov humanIsIs do research. II Ihe dIIIaI humanIIIes In zoog
seemed IrIhI, II vas In Iare arI Iecause II reIocused coIIecIIve aIIenIIon
around Issues IhaI vexed noI jusI dIIIaI humanIsIs IuI IheIr InIer/ Irans/
muIIIdIscIIInary eers, Ihose 1uIIa IIanders Is noIed Ior havIn caIIed
hyIrId schoIars, a Ierm noI IImIIed Io dIIIaI humanIsIs. IurIhermore,
across Ihe IvenIyseven sessIons aI Ihe conIerence IhaI mIhI Ie consIdered
dIIIaI humanIIIes or medIa sIudIes reIaIed, mosI addressed, aI IeasI In a
IanenIIaI vay, Issues reIaIed Io vorLIn across InsIIIuIIonaI IarrIers. In
oIher vords, Ihe IrIhI oIImIsm oI zoog Ior digital humanists vas noI IhaI
oI economIc recovery, emIoymenI soIuIIons, and IechnoIoIcaI deIermIn
Ism, IuI oI consensus IuIIdIn and reneved aIIenIIon Io IonsIandIn
InsIIIuIIonaI IarrIers.
One IaLeavay Irom Ihe zoog \Ln aneIs Is aIso a coIIecIIve sense
oI sIraneness In cIaImIn dIIIaI humanIIIes as a name vhen II dravs
IoeIher such a dIversIIy oI humanIIIes schoIars vIIh so many dIerenI
research aendas under a common IIIIean unease IhaI, erhas, may Ie
aIIrIIuIed Io Ihe chosen Iheme oI Ihe DIIIaI HumanIIIes zo:: conIerence,
BI TenI DIIIaI HumanIIIes. WhaI Ihe Iour years sInce Ihe IInLs and
KInLs aneI have roven Is IhaI IIs arIIcIanIs vere rIhI: coIIaIoraIIon,
dIIIaI schoIarshI, and InIeIIecIuaI equaIIIy are reaIIy hard, and no, ve
havenI come u vIIh soIuIIons Io Ihose chaIIenes yeI.
BeorIenIIn Ihe IrIhI sIde/darL sIde deIaIe avay Irom Ihe ro
vocaIIveness oI IIs medIa hye and IacL Iovard Ihe sIrII oI creaIIn con
sensus around IonsIandIn humanIIIes concerns, I vouId IILe Io suesI
IhaI Ihe darL sIde oI dIIIaI humanIIIes Is IhaI ve are still sIruIIn vIIh
Issues IhaI ve Iean caIIIn aIIenIIon Io even earIIer Ihan zoog: eecIIveIy
coIIaIoraIIn vIIhIn and IeIveen dIscIIInes, InsIIIuIIons, and naIIonaI
IoundarIes; reorIenIIn a deeIy enIrenched academIc cIass sIrucIure;
recoverIn archIvaI sIIences; and IuIIdIn a Ireer, more oen schoIarIy dIs
course. ConsequenIIy, a dIsIorIed narraIIve IhaI IouIs dIIIaI humanIIIes as
a IrIhI hoe Ior overcomIn InsIIIuIIonaI, socIaI, cuIIuraI, and economIc
chaIIenes has acIuaIIy made II harder Ior dIIIaI humanIIIes Io conIInue acI
In as a aIvanIzIn Iorce amon hyIrId schoIar eers and Io Lee Ihe Iocus
on shared InIeresIs Iecause such rheIorIc IaIseIy osIIIons dIIIaI humanI
IIes and Ihe resI oI humanIIIes as II Iheyre In oosIIIon Io one anoIher.
DH and Technological Determinism
MovIn Ieyond Ihe IrIhI/darL dIchoIomy Is In arI comII
caIed Iy Ihe ouIar comIaInI rsI IevIed aaInsI dIIIaI humanIIIes aI
Ihe zoog \Ln conIerence IhaI resIsIance Is IuIIIe and IhaI Ihe convenIIon
seemed Io Ie more aIouI IechnoIoy Ihan IIIeraIure (see PannaacLer,
\Ln, aIove). SeIIIn asIde Ihe roIIemaIIc oosIIIon IeIveen IechnoI
oy and IIIeraIure IhaI PannaacLers unnamed source maLes, Ihe earIy
euhorIa over dIIIaI humanIIIes IhaI you caII aIIenIIon Io In your IaIL Is
IrequenIIy IInLed Io a sense IhaI dIIIaI humanIsIs have IaIIen vIcIIm Io a
ervasIve IechnoIoIcaI deIermInIsm. The rheIorIc oI IechnoIoIcaI deIer
mInIsm, hovever, more oIIen comes Irom Ihose vho conscIousIy osIIIon
IhemseIves as dIIIaI humanIIIes sLeIIcsvhIch Is In sIarL conIrasI Io hov
earIy adoIers In Ihe humanIIIes aroached IechnoIoy.
In :gg8, earIy IechnoIoy adoIers IILe Dan Cohen, NeII IraI
sIaI, AIan IIu, AIIen Benear, Boy BosenzveI, Susan SchreIIman, Mar
Iha NeII SmIIh, 1ohn InsvorIh, and oIhers dIdnI encourae sIudenIs Io
Iearn u1\L (HyerTexI MarLu Ianuae), sc\L (SIandard UeneraIIzed
MarLu Ianuae), or 1ri (TexI IncodIn InIIIaIIve) so Ihey couId eI joIs.
They dId II, In Iare arI, so sIudenIs couId undersIand Ihe recarIous
oorIunIIy IhaI Ihe WorId WIde WeI aorded schoIarIy roducIIon and
communIcaIIon. Oen, shared sIandards couId ensure a Ireer exchane
oI Ideas Ihan rorIeIary sIandards, and sIudenIs deveIoed veIaes Io
meeI muIIIIe Irovser secIcaIIons so IhaI Ihey couId more IuIIy are
cIaIe hov deIIcaIe, hov revardIn, and hov uncerIaIn uIIIshIn on Ihe
WeI couId Ie In an envIronmenI vhere NeIscae and MIcrosoII InIerneI
IxIorer souhI Io corner Ihe marLeI on WeI IrovsIn. BeadIn IIsIs and
IIIIIorahIes In Ihose earIy courses drev heavIIy Irom Ihe IexIuaI sIud
Ies schoIarshI oI oIher earIy adoIers such as 1ohanna DrucLer, 1erome
McUann, MorrIs Iaves, and 1oseh \IscomI, vhose vorL had IILevIse
Ion consIdered Ihe maIerIaI economIes oI LnovIede roducIIon In IoIh
rInI and dIIIaI medIa.
ConsIder Ihe cauIIous oIImIsm IhaI characIerIzes Boy Bosen
zveI and Dan Cohens zoo Introduction to Digital History, vhIch IeIns
vIIh a chaIer IIIIed PromIses and PerIIs oI DIIIaI HIsIory:
We obviously believe that we gain something from doing digital
history, making use of the new computer-based technologies. Yet
although we are wary of the conclusions of techno-skeptics, we are
not entirely enthusiastic about the views of the cyber-enthusiasts
either. Rather, we believe that we need to critically and soberly
assess where computer networks and digital media are and
arent useful for historiansa category that we dene broadly to
include amateur enthusiasts, research scholars, museum cura-
tors, documentary lmmakers, historical society administrators,
classroom teachers, and history students at all levels [...]. Doing
digital history well entails being aware of technologys advan-
tages and disadvantages, and how to maximize the former while
minimizing the latter. ()
In oIher vords, dIIIaI hIsIory, and Iy exIensIon dIIIaI humanIIIes, rev
ouI oI a IhouhIIuI and reecIIve avareness oI IechnoIoys oIenIIaI, as
veII as IIs daners, and noI a vaId emIrace oI Ihe dIIIaI. Moreover, Ihe
earIIesI converence IeIveen schoIars oI dIsaraIe humanIIIes IacLrounds
coaIesced mosI eecIIveIy and oenIy In resIsIance Io naIve IechnoIoIcaI
deIermInIsm.
AnxIeIy, hovever, crees InIo conversaIIons aIouI dIIIaI
humanIIIes vIIh hrases IILe soon II vonI Ie Ihe dIIIaI humanIIIes |...]
II vIII jusI Ie Ihe humanIIIes. Ised oIIen enouh IhaI cIIIn every occa
sIon vouId Ie ImossIIIe, such a hrase demonsIraIes and IueIs a Iear
IhaI meIhods aIIrIIuIed Io dIIIaI humanIIIes vIII soon Ie Ihe only vIaIIe
meIhods In Ihe eId, and IhaIs sImIy noI Irue. And yeI, unIess Ihere Is a
core conIInenI oI IacuIIy vho conIInue Io dIsIrIIuIe IheIr vorL In Iyed
manuscrIIs and consuII rInI Indexes oI erIodIcaIs IhaI I donI Lnov
aIouI, everyone Is aIready a dIIIaI humanIsI InsoIar as II Is a condIIIon
oI conIemorary research IhaI ve musI asL quesIIons aIouI Ihe vaIues,
IechnoIoIes, and economIes IhaI oranIze and redIsIrIIuIe schoIarIy com
munIcaIIonand IhaI Is and aIvays has Ieen a IundamenIaI concern vIIhIn
Ihe eId oI dIIIaI humanIIIes sInce IeIore II adoIed IhaI monILer and vas
caIIed mereIy humanIIIes comuIIn.
DH and \oocs
BeIaIed Io concerns over IechnoIoIcaI deIermInIsm Is an IndIcI
menI IhaI dIIIaI humanIIIes has Iven vay Io a vaId emIrace oI Ihe
dIIIaI as exemIIed Iy unIversIIIes recenI Iove aaIr vIIh \oocs. You
descrIIe Ihe \oocIcaIIon oI hIher educaIIon very veII as Ihe desIre Io
revrII|e] oIIIIcaI and edaoIcaI roIIems InIo IechnoIoIcaI ones, InIo
roIIems IhaI IechnoIoy can x. ThIs revrIIIn ranes Irom Ihe Idea IhaI
\oocs, raIher Ihan a serIous uIIIc commIImenI Io educaIIon, can soIve Ihe
roIIem oI Ihe sIraIIn cosI oI educaIIon |...] Io Ihe IIInd emIrace oI Iech
noIoIcaI sLIIIs. DIIIaI humanIsIs vho have dared Io Iread on IhIs Issue
mosI oIIen do so vIIh hIhIy quaIIed cIaIms IhaI hIher educaIIon, Ioo,
requIres chane. Ior examIe, Idvard Ayerss arIIcIe In Ihe Chronicle, A
MoreBadIcaI OnIIne BevoIuIIon, conIends IhaI II an eecIIve onIIne course
Is ossIIIe, II Is onIy so vhen Ihe course reorIenIs IIs reIaIIonshI Io vhaI
LnovIede roducIIon and IearnIn reaIIy are. He oInIs ouI IhaI IechnoIoy
vonI soIve Ihe roIIem, IuI IearnIn Io Ieach IeIIer vIIh IechnoIoy mIhI
heI. Those Ivo arumenIs are noI Ihe same. The IaIIer acLnovIedes IhaI
ve have Io maLe IundamenIaI chanes In Ihe vay ve aroach IearnIn In
hIher educaIIonchanes IhaI mosI InsIIIuIIons ceIeIraIIn and emIracIn
\oocs are unvIIIIn Io commII Io Iy InvesIIn In human IaIor. In soIIdar
IIy vIIh Ayerss cauIIous oIImIsm are Ihose IILe CaIhy DavIdson, vho has
oIIen made Ihe oInI IhaI \oocs are ouIar vIIh unIversIIy admInIsIraIors
Iecause Ihey are the least dIsruIIve Io educaIIon modeIs IhaI nd IheIr
rooIs In Ihe IndusIrIaI revoIuIIonand converseIy IhIs Is vhy mosI dIIIaI
humanIsIs oose Ihem.
DH and Funding
AnoIher chaIIene resenIed Iy Ihe secIer oI medIa aIIenIIon
Io Ihe eId oI dIIIaI humanIIIes has Ieen Ihe erceIIon IhaI II dravs
on Iare sums oI money oIhervIse InaccessIIIe Io Ihe resI oI humanIIIes
researchers. IncasuIaIIn Ihe crueI oIImIsm you IdenIIIy as descrIIed
Iy Iauren BerIanI, hoeIuI academIc admInIsIraIIons may once have seen
dIIIaI humanIIIes research as havIn access Io seemInIy IImIIIess ooIs
oI moneyan assumIIon IhaI creaIes dearImenI and coIIee resenImenIs.
BuI Iheres a reaIIIy checL IhaI needs Io haen, IoIh on Ihe arI
oI hoeIuI admInIsIraIIons and on Ihe arI oI IrusIraIed schoIars: IundIn
overaII Is scarce. PerIod. HumanIsIs are noI In comeIIIIon vIIh dIIIaI
humanIsIs Ior IundIn: humanIsIs are In comeIIIIon vIIh everyone Ior
more IundIn. Ior examIe, sInce zo:o, Ihe NaIIonaI IndovmenI Ior Ihe
HumanIIIes (Nru) IudeI has Ieen reduced Iy : ercenI. In IIs Appropria-
tions Request for Fiscal Year , Ihe Nru IIsIs Ihe zo:z Oce oI DIIIaI
HumanIIIes (oou) acIuaI IudeI aI s,:,ooo. In oIher vords, oouIhe Nru
dIvIsIon chared vIIh IundIn dIIIaI research In Ihe humanIIIesconIroIs
Ihe smaIIesI IudeI oI any oIher dIvIsIon In Ihe aency Iy a marIn oI sg
Io :o mIIIIon (National Endowment :; see IaIIe : aI Ihe end oI IhIs arIIcIe).
SInce mosI ranIs Irom oou are InsIIIuIIonaI ranIs as oosed
Io IndIvIduaI ranIs (such as IeIIovshIs or summer sIIends), a suIsIanIIve
orIIon oI each oou avard Is aIsorIed Iy Ihe sonsorIn InsIIIuIIon In order
Io oseI IndIrecI cosIs. When dIIIaI humanIIIes cenIers and IheIr InsIIIu
IIons send ouI ceIeIraIory announcemenIs aIouI hov Ihey jusI receIved a
ranI Ior a dIIIaI humanIIIes rojecI Ior x numIer oI doIIars, onIy a Irac
IIon oI IhaI money acIuaIIy oes Io dIrecIIy suorI Ihe rojecI In quesIIon.
Anyvhere IeIveen z Io ercenI oI dIIIaI humanIIIes ranI Iunds are
aIsorIed Iy Ihe InsIIIuIIon Io oseI vhaI are aIso reIerred Io as IacIIIIIes
and admInIsIraIIveroncosIs, or overhead. IndIrecI cosI raIes are usuaIIy
neoIIaIed once each year IeIveen Ihe IndIvIduaI academIc InsIIIuIIons
and a Iarer IederaI aency (IhInL DearImenI oI DeIense, InvIronmenIaI
ProIecIIon Aency, NaIIonaI InsIIIuIes oI HeaIIh, NaIIonaI AeronauIIcs and
Sace AdmInIsIraIIon, or DearImenI oI Ihe Navy), and Ihey are resum
aIIy used Io suorI IaI envIronmenIs Ior s1r\reIaIed dIscIIInes (scIence,
IechnoIoy, enIneerIn, and maIhemaIIcs). WhaIever Ihe neoIIaIed cosI
raIe aI each InsIIIuIIon, IhaI same raIe Is Ihen aIIed Io aII oIher ranI
recIIenIs Irom Ihe same InsIIIuIIon vho receIve IederaI Iunds reardIess oI
dIscIIIne. WhIIe secIaIIzed maInIenance ersonneI, cIean rooms, securIIy,
and hazard Insurance mIhI Ie necessary Io oseI cosIs Io Ihe InsIIIuIIon
Io suorI a s1r\reIaIed research rojecI, II Is uncIear Ihe exIenI Io vhIch
dIIIaI humanIIIes rojecIs IeneI Irom Ihese Iunds. Thus, vhIIe InsIIIuIIons
are excIIed Io romoIe, uIIIcIze, and even suorI dIIIaI humanIIIes ranI
aIIcaIIons (IrIhI sIde), IhaI uIIIcIIy sImuIIaneousIy casIs Ion shadovs
oIscurIn Irom uIIIc vIev Ihe reaIIIy IhaI Ihe acIuaI doIIar amounI IhaI
oes dIrecIIy Io suorI DH rojecIs Is sInIcanIIy reduced.
II ve reaIIy vanIed Io eI serIous aIouI exIorIn Ihe shadovs
oI dIIIaI humanIIIes research, ve mIhI IeIn Iy asLIn roIaIIve ques
IIons aIouI vhere Ihose IndIrecI cosIs o and hov Ihey are used. In IacI, as
ChrIsIoher NeveId oInIs ouI In IndIn Ihe BudeI Wars: IundIn Ihe
HumanIIIes durIn a CrIsIs In HIher IducaIIon, more oI us humanIsIs
shouId Ie enaIn In a heaIIhy scruIIny oI our InsIIIuIIons IudeIs. Nev
eId oInIs ouI IhaI academIc admInIsIraIIons have Ieen mIILIn humanIIIes
dearImenIs Ior quIIe a Ion IIme vIIhouI cIear IndIcaIIon oI vhere Income
Irom humanIIIes eneraI educaIIon courses acIuaIIy o:
First we must understand that though the humanities in general
and literary studies in particular are poor and struggling, we
are not naturally poor and struggling. We are not on a perma-
nent austerity budget because we dont have the intrinsic earning
power of the science and engineering elds and arent t enough
to survive in the modern university. I suggest, on the basis of a
case study, that the humanities elds are poor and struggling
because they are being milked like cash cows by their university
administrations. The money that departments generate through
teaching enrollments that the humanists do not spend on their
almost completely unfunded research is routinely skimmed and
sent elsewhere in the university. As the current university funding
model continues to unravel, the humanities survival as national
elds will depend on changing it. ()
IacL oI cIarIIy aIouI vhere money aIsorIed Iy academIc InsIIIuIIons as
IndIrecI cosIs ends u Is IInLed Io a much vIder concern aIouI vheIher or
noI humanIIIes dearImenIs reaIIy should Ie as oor and sIruIIn as Ihey
are. Here Is an oorIunIIy In vhIch ve couId use Ihe socaIIed ceIeIrIIy
sIaIus oI dIIIaI humanIIIes Io casI nev IIhI on Ihe accounIIn, IudeIIn,
and admInIsIraIIn oI humanIIIes coIIees In eneraI Io Ihe IeneI oI IacuIIy
and researchers reardIess oI IheIr research meIhods.
DH and Collaboration
The IoIc oI money, hovever, reIurns us Io Ihe comIIcaIed
consIeIIaIIon oI Issues IhaI accomany coIIaIoraIIon. BarrIers Io coIIaIora
IIon, as MandeII, NovvIsLIe, PoveII, 1ones, and Bhody dIscussed In zoog,
are Iess a maIIer oI Iear or IIas aaInsI coIIaIoraIIn vIIh Ihe scIences or
enIneerIn Ihan Ihey mIhI have Ieen In Ihe asI. As II Iurns ouI, Ihouh,
coIIaIoraIIon across InsIIIuIIonaI IoundarIes Is hard Iecause nancIn II Is
surrIsInIy comIex and oIIen InsucIenI. In zoog, Ihe Digging into Data
Challenge announced IIs rsI sIaIe oI avardees. ComIInIn Ihe Iunds and
eorIs oI Iour ranIIn aencIes (isc |1oInI InIormaIIon SysIems CommII
Iee], Nru, Nsr |NaIIonaI ScIence IoundaIIon], and ssuvc |SocIaI ScIences
and HumanIIIes Besearch CouncII]), Digging into Data ranIs Iocused on
cuIIIn resources, emhasIzIn coIIaIoraIIon, and rIvIIeIn InIerdIscIIIn
ary research eorIsaII vaIuaIIe and IaudaIIe oaIs. In a IoIIovu reorI
(unIorIunaIeIy named) One Culture: Computationally Intensive Research
in the Humanities and Social Sciences: A Report on the Experiences of First
Respondents to the Digging into Data Challenge, hovever, arIIcIanIs
IdenIIIy Iour sInIcanI chaIIenes Io IheIr vorL: IundIn, IIme, communIca
IIon, and daIa (WIIIIIord and Henry). In oIher vords, jusI aIouI everyIhIn
II IaLes Io coIIaIoraIe resenIs chaIIenes.
The quesIIon Is, Ihouh, vhaI have ve Ieen aIIe Io do Io chane
IhIs Hov veII have ve arIIcuIaIed Ihese Issues Io Ihose vho donI caII Ihem
seIves dIIIaI humanIsIs In vays IhaI maLe us come IoeIher Io advocaIe Ior
IeIIer IundIn Ior all LInds oI humanIIIes research, raIher Ihan consIanIIy
comeIIn vIIh one anoIher Io raI a IIer Iece oI a dIsaearIn Ie
The IrusIraIIn arI In aII oI IhIs Is IhaI ve know coIIaIoraIIon Is hard. We
want Io IrIde communIIIes vIIhIn Ihe humanIIIes, across Io socIaI scIence
and s1r\ dIscIIInes, and even across InIernaIIonaI, cuIIuraI, and economIc
dIvIdes. InIess ve reaIIy seI Io vorL on deeer Issues IILe revIsIn IudeIs,
asLIn oInIed quesIIons aIouI IndIrecI cosI raIes, and urIn ouI hov Io
communIcaIe across dIscIIInes, share daIa, and oranIze our coIIecIIve
IIme, Iour years Irom nov ve vIII sIIII Ie asLIn Ihe same quesIIons.
DH and Labor
IInaIIy, Ihere are oIher shadovs In Ihe academy vhere dIIIaI
humanIsIs have Ieen hard aI vorL. WhIIe no one In Ihe dIIIaI humanIIIes
reaIIy IeIIeves IhaI IechnIcaI sLIIIs aIone vIII reare anyone Ior a joI,
ImorIanI vorL Iy dIIIaI humanIsIs has heIed reshae Ihe dIscourse
around IaIor and emIoymenI In academIa. Ior examIe, Tanya CIemenI
and Dave IesIers NruIunded vhIIe aer O Ihe TracLs: IayIn Nev
IInes Ior DIIIaI HumanIIIes SchoIars IrouhI IoeIher dIIIaI humanIIIes
racIIIIoners Io consIder career IrajecIorIes Ior humanIIIes PhDs emIoyed
Io do academIc vorL In nonIenure, oIIen conIInenI unIversIIy osIIIons. Ior
examIe, rous such as DH Commons, an InIIIaIIve suorIed Iy a coaIIIIon
oI dIIIaI humanIIIes cenIers caIIed cenIerNeI, uI Ihose InIeresIed In Iech
noIoy and Ihe humanIIIes In conIacI vIIh oIher dIIIaI humanIIIes racIIIIo
ners Ihrouh shared InIeresIs and needs. AIIAcademy, a MediaCommons
rojecI, InvIIes, uIIIshes, and IosIers dIaIoue aIouI Ihe oorIunIIIes and
rIsLs oI vorLIn In academIc osIs oIher Ihan IradIIIonaI IenureIracL joIs.
WhIIe none oI Ihese rojecIs couId Ie credIIed vIIh ndIn joIs Ior PhDs,
er se, Ihey are demonsIraIIons oI Ihe vays dIIIaI humanIIIes racIIIIoners
have made academIc IaIor a cenIraI Issue Io Ihe eId.
WorIh noIIn: aII oI Ihese rojecIs have come Io IruIIIon sInce
zoog and In resonse Io concerns aIouI IaIor Issues, reconIIIon, and credII
In a sIraIIed academIc cIass sIrucIure. And yeI, none oI Ihese aroaches
on IheIr ovn are soIuIIons. There are sIIII more eoIe In dIIIaI humanI
IIes vho are In conIInenI, nonIenureIracL osIIIons Ihan Ihere are In
IenureIracL osIs. A heavy reIIance on soII IundIn conIInues Io IueI an
academIc cIass sIrucIure In vhIch dIvIsIons ersIsI IeIveen IenureIracL
and conIracI IacuIIy and sIadIvIsIons IhaI seem Io Ie reInscrIIed aIon
IInes oI ender and race dIerence. As Ion as Ihese dIvIsIons oI IaIor remaIn
unsaIIsIacIorIIy addressed, II romIses Io dIm Ihe IIhI oI a eId IhaI esouses
Ihe vaIue oI InIeIIecIuaI equaIIIy (MandeII). Iven Ihouh recenI eorIs Iy
Ihe SchoIarIy CommunIcaIIon InsIIIuIe (sci) (an Andrev W. MeIIon Ioun
daIIonsuorIed InIIIaIIve) have noI ansvered IonsIandIn quesIIons oI
conIInenI academIc IaIor and IacemenI oI recenI PhDs In Ihe humanIIIes,
eorIs Io survey currenI aIIernaIIve academIc (aIIac) roIessIonaIs and
Io IuIId a neIvorL oI dIIIaI humanIIIes raduaIe rorams Ihrouh Ihe
PraxIs NeIvorL consIIIuIe ImorIanI sIes Iovard addressIn Ihese vIdeIy
acLnovIeded roIIems across a secIrum oI humanIIIes dIscIIInes. As a
eId, dIIIaI humanIIIes has noI romIsed dIrecI avenues Io IenureIracL joIs
or even aIIac ones; hovever, dIIIaI humanIIIes Is a communIIy oI racIIce
IhaI, Iorn ouI oI an era oI decreasIn IenureIracL joI oenIns and rheIorIc
aIouI Ihe humanIIIes In crIsIs, has vorLed uIIIcIy Io raIse avareness and
Imrove dIaIoue IhaI IdenIIes, reconIzes, and revards InIeIIecIuaI vorL
Iy schoIars oeraIIn ouIsIde IradIIIonaI IenureIracL IacemenIs.
DH Silences and Shadows
I aree IhaI vhaI Is IruIy IrIhI aIouI Ihe dIIIaI humanIIIes
Is IhaI II has dravn Irom assIon In IIs crIIIcaI, creaIIve, and InnovaIIve
aroaches Io ersIsIenI humanIIIes quesIIons. Ior examIe, I IooL aI Ihe
vorL oI Iauren KIeIn, vhose zo:z \Ln aer vas one oI Iour IhaI addressed
Ihe archIvaI sIIences caused Iy sIavery. KIeIns aer resonded dIrecIIy
Io AIan IIus caII Io reInscrIIe cuIIuraI crIIIcIsm aI Ihe cenIer oI dIIIaI
humanIIIes vorL (Where Is). Her comuIaIIonaI meIhods exIore
Ihe sIIenI resence oI 1ames HemIns In Ihe archIved IeIIers oI Thomas
1eerson:
To be quite certain, the ghost of James Hemings means enough.
But what we can do is examine the contours that his shadow casts
on the Jeerson archive, and ask ourselves what is illuminated
and what remains concealed. In the case of the lifeand deathof
James Hemings, even as we consider the information disclosed to
us through Jeersons correspondence, and the conversations they
recordwe realize just how little about the life of James Hemings
we will ever truly know. (Report)
KIeIn rooses one ossIIIe vay In vhIch ve mIhI InIeraIe race, ender,
and osIcoIonIaI Iheory vIIh comuIer IearnIn Io deveIo meIhodoIoIes
Ior erIormIn research In IIasIaden archIves, vhereIy ve can exose
and address aIsences.
SIIII, vhIIe ve have Iecome more adeI aI enaIn crIIIcaI
Iheory and comuIaIIon In our schoIarshI, ve have senI IIIIIe oI IhaI eorI
consIrucIIn an IncIusIve, muIIIvaIenI, dIverse, and seIIconscIous archIve
oI our ovn eId as II has rovn and chaned. The shadovs and varIeaIed
IerraIn oI Ihe dIIIaI humanIIIes, IhIs odd coIIecIIon oI hyIrId schoIars, Is
much more comIIcaIed, as one mIhI execI, Ihan Ihe IrIhI/darL IInary
Iy vhIch II Is Ioo oIIen characIerIzed. BecoverIn Ihe hIsIorIes oI DH has
roven comIIcaIed. 1acqueIIne WernImonI made IhIs oInI IamousIy veII
In a aer she deIIvered aI DHzo: and In a IorIhcomIn arIIcIe In Digital
Humanities Quarterly (ouo). WernImonI exIaIns IhaI characIerIzIn any
arIIcuIar rojecI as IemInIsI Is dIcuII Io do: The chaIIenes arIse noI
Irom a IacL oI IemInIsI enaemenI In dIIIaI humanIIIes vorL, quIIe Ihe
oosIIe Is Irue, IuI raIher In Ihe dIcuIIy IracIn oIIIIcaI, IdeoIoIcaI, and
IheoreIIcaI commIImenIs In vorL IhaI InvoIves so many Iayers oI roduc
IIon. PuI sImIy: Ihe sysIems and neIvorLs Irom vhIch DH rojecIs arIse
are vIcLedIy comIex. Perhas a III more conIenIIousIy: Ihe comIexIIy oI
Ihose neIvorLs has enaIIed narraIIves oI dIIIaI humanIIIes Io evoIve IhaI
eIIde IemInIsI vorL IhaI has Ieen IoundaIIonaI Io Ihe eId.
WernImonIs cIaIm runs conIrary Io Ihe ImuIse Io address
Ihrouh rovocaIIon Ihe soIerIn chaIIenes IhaI conIronI Ihe dIIIaI
humanIIIes. BaIher Ihan cIaImIn IhaI no IemInIsI vorL has Ieen done In
DH, WernImonI enaes roducIIveIy vIIh Ihe muIIIIaceIed vorL condIIIons
IhaI have Ied Io our undersIandIn oI Ihe eId.
As you suesI aI Ihe IaII end oI your IaIL, ve oIIen cIaIm Io
ceIeIraIe IaIIures, IuI II Is uncIear Io vhaI exIenI ve IoIIov Ihrouh on
IhaI InIenI. DesIIe 1ohn InsvorIhs :gg InsIsIence In DocumenIIn Ihe
BeInvenIIon oI TexI: The ImorIance oI IaIIure IhaI ve maLe emIracIn
IaIIure a dIscIIInary vaIue, ve very rareIy do II. ConsequenIIy, ve have
rIddIed our dIscIIInes ovn archIve vIIh sIIences aIouI our vorL rocess,
our IaIor racIIces, our IundIn modeIs, our coIIaIoraIIve chaIIenes, and
even our crIIIcaI Iheory. As a resuII, ve have aIIoved Ihe IaIse IIhI oI a
IhrIvIn eId aIIve vIIh joI oorIunIIIes, research successes, and Iechno
IoIcaI deIermInIsm Io see InIo Ihose hoIes. In oIher vords, ve have noI
done vhaI ve as humanIsIs shouId Lnov IeIIer Ihan Io do: ve have noI IoId
our ovn sIory IaIIhIuIIy.
Iven so, recenI evenIs have demonsIraIed ImorIanI sIes Io
ImrovIn Iransarency In dIIIaI humanIIIes. ThIs summer aI Ihe DHzo:
conIerence, uInn DomIrovsLI dId vhaI Iev schoIars are vIIIIn or IoId
enouh Io do. She exosed a rojecIs IaIIure In a IaIL IIIIed, WhaIever Ha
ened Io ProjecI BamIoo DomIrovsLI recounIed Ihe chaIIenes Iaced Iy
an Andrev W. MeIIonIunded cyIerInIrasIrucIure rojecI IeIveen zoo8
and zo:z. TeIIInIy, vhen you o Io Ihe rojecIs veIsIIe, Ihere Is no dIscus
sIon oI vhaI haened Io IIvheIher or noI II meI IIs oaIs, or vhy, or even
vhaI InsIIIuIIons arIIcIaIed In II. There Is a documenIaIIon vILI vhere
vIsIIors mIhI revIev Ihe archIved rojecI Ies, an Issue IracLer, and a
code reosIIory. There Is even a IInL Io Ihe archIve coy oI Ihe veIsIIe
as II exIsIed durIn IIs IundIn cycIe. ThaI Is II. In Ihe Iace oI IhIs sIIence,
DomIrovsLI rovIded a voIce Ior vhaI mIhI Ie seen as Ihe rojecIs IaIIure
Io IeIn hashIn Ihrouh Ihe dIcuIIIes oI coIIaIoraIIon and Ihe daners
oI assumIn vhaI humanIsIs vanI IeIore asLIn Ihem.
DomIrovsLIs aer vas veIcomed Iy Ihe communIIy and ceI
eIraIed as a necessary conIrIIuIIon Io our schoIarIy communIcaIIon rac
IIces. SInIcanIIy, many DH rojecIs, arIIcuIarIy Ihose IhaI receIve IederaI
IundIn, do have ouIIeIs Ior dIscussIn IheIr rocesses, manaemenI, and
decIsIons; hovever, vhere Ihese schoIarIy and reecIIve documenIs are
uIIIshed Is oIIen In Iaces vhere Ihose sIarIIn ouI In dIIIaI humanI
IIes are unIILeIy Io nd Ihem. WhIIe aers, ranI narraIIves, and rojecI
hIsIorIesInIormaIIy uIIIshed schoIarshI caIIed ray IIIeraIuredIscuss
sInIcanI asecIs oI dIIIaI humanIIIes research, such as raIIonaIes Ior
sIan decIsIons, IechnoIoy choIces, and even Ihe crIIIcaI IheorIes IhaI
are IoundaIIonaI Io a rojecIs deveIomenI. SIIII, ray IIIeraIure Is oIIen
sIored or uIIIshed on Iunders veIsIIes or In InsIIIuIIonaI reosIIorIes.
OccasIonaIIy, Ihouh Iess IrequenIIy, vhIIe aers may Ie uIIIshed on a
rojecIs veIsIIe. SInce Ihese uIIIcaIIons resIde ouIsIde a humanIsIs usuaI
research urvIev, Ihey are Iess IILeIy Io Ie Iound or used Iy schoIars nev
Io Ihe eId. In her essay IeI Ihe UranI Do Ihe TaILIn, SheIIa Brennan
suesIs IhaI vIder cIrcuIaIIon oI Ihese maIerIaIs vouId rove an Imor
IanI conIrIIuIIon Io schoIarshI: One vay Io resenI dIIIaI humanIIIes
vorL couId Ie Io IeI ranI roosaIs and reIaIed reorIs or vhIIe aers do
some oI Ihe IaILIn Ior us, Iecause Ihose Iorms oI vrIIIn aIready rovIde
InIeIIecIuaI raIIonaIes IehInd dIIIaI rojecIs and IIIusIraIe Ihe Iheory In
racIIce. Brennan conIInues Iy exIaInIn IhaI ranI roosaIs are oIIen
heavIIy scruIInIzed Iy eer revIevers and rovIde deIaIIed surveys oI exIsI
In resources. MosI IederaI Iunders requIre vhIIe aers IhaI reecI uon
Ihe naIure oI Ihe vorL erIormed durIn Ihe ranI vhen Ihe ranI erIod Is
over, aII oI vhIch are made avaIIaIIe Io Ihe uIIIc. WhIIe Ihe naIure oI Ihe
vrIIIn dIers Irom vhaI one mIhI nd In a IyIcaI journaI arIIcIe, ranI
roosaIs and vhIIe aers address eneraI humanIIIes audIences. ThaI
means a Iody oI schoIarIy vrIIIn aIready exIsIs IhaI addresses Ihe hIsIory,
comosIIIon, and deveIomenI oI a sIzeaIIe orIIon oI dIIIaI humanIIIes
vorL. The chaIIene resIdes In maLIn IhIs vrIIIn more vIsIIIe Io a Iroader
humanIIIes audIence.
AIIhouh ve sIIII have vorL Io do Io conIInue IIIn In Ihe archI
vaI sIIences oI dIIIaI humanIIIes, I IeIIeve IhaI II Is a rojecI vorIh Ihe vorL
InvoIved. IschevIn Ihe ImuIse Io drav sIarL conIrasIs IeIveen dIIIaI
humanIIIes and Ihe resI oI Ihe humanIIIes, choosIn InsIead Io deIve InIo Ihe
comIex socIaI, economIc, and InsIIIuIIonaI ressures IhaI a IechnoIoIcaI
euhorIa oIscures reresenIs a romIsIn vay ahead Ior humanIsIsdIIIaI
and oIhervIse.
Part
Shadows in the Archive (Chun)
IIrsI, IhanL you Ior an exceIIenI and InsIhIIuI resonse, Ior Ihe
vays you hIsIorIcIze Ihe IrIhI sIde rheIorIc, IaLe on Ihe chaIIenes oI
IundIn, and eIaIoraIe on vhaI you nd Io Ie DHs darL sIde: your oInIs
aIouI Ihe sIIences aIouI DHs vorL rocess, IIs IaIor racIIces, IundIn mod
eIs, coIIaIoraIIve chaIIenes, and crIIIcaI Iheory are aII roIound. IurIher,
your move Irom IrIhI/darL Io shadovs Is InsIrIn.
By eIaIoraIIn on Ihe vorL done Iy earIy adoIers and youner
schoIars, you shov hov dIIIaI humanIsIs do noI enae In a vaId emIrace
oI Ihe dIIIaI. You shov IhaI Ihe IechnoIoIcaI deIermInIsIs raIher Ihan Ihe
racIIcIn dIIIaI humanIsIs are Ihe deIracIors (and I vouId aIso InserI here
suorIers). Indeed, II any rou vouId Lnov Ihe vays In vhIch Ihe dIIIaI
humanIIIes do noI uaranIee everyIhIn Ihey are hyed Io do, II Is Ihose vho
have Ior many years vorLed under Ihe ruIrIc oI humanIIIes comuIIn.
As IIu has so oInIedIy arued, Ihey have Ieen vIeved Ior years as servanIs
raIher Ihan masIers (Where Is). They Lnov InIImaIeIy Ihe recarIousness
oI soII money rojecIs, Ihe dIcuIIy oI IeIn ranIed Ienure Ior rearIn
raIher Ihan InIerreIIn IexIs, and Ihe vays In vhIch IeachIn sIudenIs
marLu Ianuaes hardIy uaranIees Ihem joIs. Ior aII Ihese reasons,
Ihe IrIhI sIde rheIorIc Is IruIy IaInunIess, oI course, one consIders
Ihe InsIIIuIIonaI IramevorL vIIhIn vhIch Ihe dIIIaI humanIIIes has Ieen
emIraced. As you oInI ouI, II has noI Iven InsIIIuIIons Ihe access Io Ihe
IImIIIess ooIs oI money Ihey once hoed Ior, IuI II has Iven Ihem access
Io IndIrecI cosI recoverysomeIhIn IhaI very Iev humanIIIes rojecIs ro
vIde. II aIso Ives Ihem a IInL Io Ihe IuIure. As WIIIIam UIIson, vho coIned
Ihe Ierm cyIersace IeIore he had ever used a comuIer, once quIed,
|T]he IuIure Is aIready hereIIs jusI noI evenIy dIsIrIIuIed.
The crueI oIImIsm I descrIIe Is Ihus a vaId emIrace oI Ihe
dIIIaI vrII Iare, raIher Ihan sImIy an emIrace oI Ihe dIIIaI humanI
IIes. One need onIy IhInL IacL Io Ihe mId:ggos vhen Ihe InIerneI Iecame
a mass medIum aIIer IIs IacLIone vas soId Io rIvaIe cororaIIons and Io
Ihe rheIorIc IhaI surrounded II as Ihe soIuIIon Io aII our roIIems, Irom
racIaI dIscrImInaIIon Io InequaIIIIes In Ihe caIIaIIsI marLeIIace, Irom
overnmenI oversIhI Io Ihe IarrIers oI hysIcaI IocaIIon. And as you noIe,
IhIs emIrace Is mosI oInIed amon Ihose on Ihe ouIsIde: soon aIIer mosI
AmerIcans vere on Ihe InIerneI, Ihe IeIevIsIon commercIaIs decIarIn Ihe
InIerneI Ihe reaI equaIIzer dIsaeared. SIanIey IIshs The OId Order
ChaneIh comares DH Io Iheory, sIaIIn, |O]nce aaIn, as In Ihe earIy
Iheory days, a nev Ianuae Is condenIIy and roheIIcaIIy soLen Iy Ihose
In Ihe Lnov, vhIIe Ihose vho are noI are made Io IeeI InoranI, assed Iy,
IeII IehInd, oId.
YeI, your dIscussIon oI vhaI you see as Ihe darL sIdeIhaI,
Iecause oI DHers sIIences, |W]e have aIIoved Ihe IaIse IIhI oI a IhrIvIn
eId aIIve vIIh joI oorIunIIIes, research successes, and IechnoIoIcaI
deIermInIsm Io see InIo Ihose hoIesmade me revIsII BerIanI aaIn and
In arIIcuIar her InsIsIence IhaI crueI oIImIsm Is douIIy crueI Iecause II
aIIovs us Io Ie Iound Io a sIIuaIIon oI roIound IhreaI IhaI Is, aI Ihe same
IIme, roIoundIy conrmIn (z). II Is Ihe conrmaIIonIhe modes oI sur
vIvaIIhaI eneraIe Ieasure and maLe crueI oIImIsm so crueI. AIso, as
BerIanI emhasIzes, oIImIsm Is noI sIuId or sImIe, Ior oIIen Ihe rIsL oI
aIIachmenI IaLen In IIs Ihroes manIIesIs an InIeIIIence Ieyond raIIonaI
caIcuIaIIon (z). UIven Ihe InsIIIuIIonaI sIrucIures under vhIch ve vorL,
I nd your caII Ior DHers Io IeII IheIr ovn sIory IaIIhIuIIy Io Ie IncredIIIy
ImorIanI and, I IhInL aIso, IncredIIIy dIcuII.
BaIher Ihan Iocus on DH, Ihouh, I vanI Io reIurn Io Ihe Iroad
ness oI my InIIIaI anaIysIs and your resonse. I vas serIous vhen I sIaIed
IhaI my commenIs vere noI dIrecIed Iovard DH er se, IuI raIher Iovard
Ihe IechnoIoIcaI euhorIa surroundIn Ihe dIIIaI, a euhorIa IhaI maLes
oIIIIcaI roIIems InIo ones IhaI IechnoIoy can soIve. Here, I IhInL Ihe
roIIem ve Iace Is noI Ihe crIsIs In Ihe humanIIIes or Ihe dIvIde IeIveen
humanIsIs and dIIIaI humanIsIs, IuI raIher Ihe deIundIn oI unIversIIIes,
a deIundIn Io vhIch unIversIIIes have resonded IadIy. I rememIer a Ior
mer admInIsIraIor aI Brovn once sayIn: |W]e are In Ihe IusIness oI Ivo
IhIns: IeachIn and research. BoIh Iose money. HIs oInI vas IhaI vIevIn
research sImIy as a vay Io eneraIe revenue (IndIrecI cosIs) overIooLs Ihe
cosIs oI doIn II research; hIs oInI vas aIso IhaI Ihe unIversIIy vas In
Ihe IusIness noI oI maLIn money, IuI oI educaIIn IoIL. UrasIn Ior ever
dImInIshIn sums oI ranI money Io Lee unIversIIIes oIna rasIn IhaI
aIso enIaIIs a vasI exendIIure In sIarIu Iunds, cosIs Ior IacIIIIIes, and so
on, aruaIIy avaIIaIIe Io onIy a smaII numIer oI aIready eIIIe unIversIIIesIs
a vay Io Iread vaIer Ior a vhIIe IuI Is unsusIaInaIIe.
We see Ihe unsusIaInaIIIIIy oI IhIs cIearIy In Ihe recenI euhorIa
around \oocs, vhIch are noI, as you oInI ouI, emIraced Iy Ihe DH com
munIIy even as Ihey are IncreasInIy denIn DH In Ihe mInds oI many.
They are sexy In a vay IhaI ZoIero Is noI and BamIoo vas noI. \oocs are
aIIracIIve Ior many reasons, noI IeasI In Ierms oI IheIr romIse (and I vanI
Io sIress here IhaI II Is onIy a romIseand IhaI romIses and IhreaIs, as
DerrIda has arued, have Ihe same sIrucIure) Io aIIevIaIe Ihe cosIs oI eIIIn
a coIIee deree. BuI vhy and hov have ve oIIen here And vouId sIu
denIs such as my youner seII, educaIed In Canada In Ihe :g8os, have Iound
\oocs so aIIracIIve As I sIressed aI Ihe \Ln, Ihe roIIem Is deII: Ihe IeveI oI
sIudenI deII Is unsusIaInaIIe, as are Ihe vays unIversIIIes are aroachIn
Ihe roIIem oI deII Iy acquIrIn more oI II (a roIIem, I reaIIze, IhaI aecIs
mosI InsIIIuIIons and IusInesses In Ihe era oI neoIIIeraIIsm). The roIIem
Is aIso Ihe sIraIned reIaIIonshI IeIveen educaIIon and emIoymenI. To
reeaI a Iev ararahs Irom IhaI IaIL:
The humanIIIes are sInLInII Ihey arenoI Iecause oI IheIr
earIIer emIrace oI Iheory or muIIIcuIIuraIIsm, IuI Iecause Ihey
have caIIuIaIed Io a IureaucraIIc IechnocraIIc IoIc. They have
conceded to a logic, an enframing (*to use Heideggers term*),
that has made publishing a question of quantity rather than qual-
ity, so that we spew forth \is or minimum publishable units;
a logic, an enframing, that can make teaching a burden rather
than a mission, so that professors and students are increasingly
at odds; a logic, an enframing, that has divided the profession
and made us our own worst enemies, so that those who have jobs
for life deny jobs to othersothers who have often accomplished
more than they (than we)have.
The academy Is a sInLIn shIII II IsIecause II
sInLs our sIudenIs InIo deII, and IhIs deII, eneraIed Iy IhIs
oIImIsIIc IeIIeI IhaI a unIversIIy deree auIomaIIcaIIy uar
anIees a joI, Is vhaI IoIh susIaIns and LIIIs us. This residual
belief/hope stems from another time, when most of us couldnt
go to university, another time, when young adults with degrees
received good jobs not necessarily because of what they learned,
but because of the society in which they lived.
Weand I mean IhIs ve IroadIyhave noI Ieen ood aI exIaInIn Ihe
dIerence IeIveen IeIn educaIed and eIIIn a joI. A coIIee deree does
noI uaranIee a joI; II II dId In Ihe asI, II vas Iecause oI demorahIcs and
dIscrImInaIIon (In Ihe IroadesI sense oI Ihe Ierm). One IhIn ve can do Is
Io exIaIn Io sIudenIs IhIs dIerence and Io IeII Ihem IhaI Ihey need Io uI
Ihe same eorI InIo eIIIn a joI IhaI Ihey dId InIo eIIIn InIo coIIee. To
heI Ihem, ve have noI onIy Io aIerI Ihem Io InIernshIs and joI IaIrs IuI
aIso Io encourae Ihem Io IaLe rIsLs, Io exand Ihe courses Ihey IaLe In
unIversIIy and Io vIev chaIIenIn courses as revardIn. I cannoI emha
sIze hov much I Iearnedeven unInIenIIonaIIyIrom doIn IoIh sysIems
desIn enIneerIn and InIIsh IIIeraIure as an underraduaIe: comIIned,
Ihey oened u nev aIhs oI IhInLIn and anaIyzIn vIIh vhIch Im sIIII
raIIn. AnoIher IhIn ve can do Is address, as you so rIhIIy underscore,
hov Ihe unIversIIy sends money.
MosI ImorIanIIy, ve need Io IaLe on deIracIors oI hIher edu
caIIon noI Iy concedIn Io Ihe rheIorIc oI emIoyaIIIIIy, IuI aruIn IhaI
Ihe ood (raIher Ihan oods) oI Ihe unIversIIy comes Irom vhaI IIes ouI
sIde oI ImmedIaIe aIIcaIIIIIy: IasIc research IhaI no IndusIrIaI research
cenIer vouId enae In, Ihe cuIIIvaIIon oI crIIIcaI racIIces and IhInLIn
IhaI maLe us IeIIer users and roducers oI dIIIaI IechnoIoIes and IeIIer
cIIIzens. I vanI Io emhasIze IhaI IhIs enIaIIs IuIIdIn a Iroad coaIIIIon
across aII dIscIIInes vIIhIn Ihe unIversIIy. The scIences can noI onIy Ie as
useIess as Ihe humanIIIes, Ihey can aIso Ie as InvesIed In remaInIn sIIenI
and IaIhIn In Ihe IaIse Iov oI emIoyaIIIIIy and success as some In Ihe
DH. As I menIIoned In Ihe \Ln IaIL, Ihere are sIudenIs vho raduaIe Irom
Ihe scIences and cannoI nd joIs; Ihe scIences are creaIIve and crIIIcaI; Ihe
scIences, oI aII Ihe dIscIIInes, are mosI IhreaIened Iy \oocs. We need Io
IuIId coaIIIIons, raIher Ihan IeI some dIscIIInes Ie orIrayed as In crI
sIs, so IhaI ours, ve hoe, can remaIn unscaIhed. To IIve Iy Ihe rheIorIc oI
useIuIness and racIIcaIIIyoI IechnoIoIcaI ecIencyIs aIso Io dIe Iy II.
ThInL oI Ihe endIessness oI deIaIes around IoIaI cIImaIe chane, deIaIes
IhaI are so endIess In arI Iecause Ihe roIaIIIIsIIc naIure oI scIence can
never maIch IIs sure rheIorIc.
WhaI I aIso vanI Io emhasIze Is IhaI Ihese coaIIIIons vIII Ie
IracIIous. There vIII Ie no consensus, IuI, InsIred Iy Ihe vorL oI Anna
TsIn, I see IrIcIIon as roundIn, noI deIracIIn Irom, oIIIIcaI acIIon. These
coaIIIIons are aIso necessary Io IaLe on chaIIenes IacIn Ihe vorId Ioday,
such as Ihe rIse oI II daIa. AaIn, noI Iecause Ihey are InherenIIy racIIcaI,
IuI raIher, Iecause Ihey can IaLe on Ihe Iare quesIIons raIsed Iy II, such
as: Iven IhaI aImosI any correIaIIon can Ie Iound, vhaI Is Ihe reIaIIonshI
IeIveen correIaIIon and causaIIIy IeIveen vhaIs emIrIcaIIy oIservaIIe
and vhaIs Irue
I vanI Io end Iy IhInLIn aaIn oI BerIanIs caII Ior amIIenI cIII
zenshI as a resonse Io crueI oIImIsm and Iauren KIeIns reaIIy IrIIIIanI
vorL, vhIch you cIIe and vhIch IaIon vIIh my coedIIors Tara McPherson
and PaIrIcL 1aodaam honored Io uIIIsh as arI oI a secIaI Issue oI Ameri-
can Literature on nev medIa and AmerIcan IIIeraIure (Imae). BerIanI
ends Cruel Optimism Iy asLIn Io vhaI exIenI aIIendIn Io amIIenI noIse
couId creaIe Iorms oI aecIIve aIIachmenI IhaI can dIsIace Ihose IhaI are
crueIIy oIImIsIIc. These smaII esIures vouId aIIend Io noIses and daIIy
esIures IhaI surround us raIher Ihan Io dramaIIc esIures IhaI Ioo quIcLIy
Iecome Ihe sIIe oI nev romIses (aIIhouh she does acLnovIede IhaI
amIIenI cIIIzenshI resonaIes dIsIurIInIy vIIh Ueore W. Bushs desIre Io
eI rId oI Ihe IIer). AmIIenI cIIIzenshI vouId mean aIIendIn Io IhIns
IILe IeachIn: IeachIn, vhIch Is oIIen accomIIshed noI Iy sImIy reIayIn
InIormaIIon (IhIs Is Ihe \ooc modeI), IuI Ihrouh careIuI aIIenIIon Io Ihe
noIses In and dynamIcs oI Ihe cIassroom. I aIso vonder hov IhIs noIIon oI
amIIenI cIIIzenshI can Ie IInLed Io KIeIns remarLaIIe vorL dIscoverIn
Ihe conIours oI 1ames HemIn In Ihe IeIIers oI Thomas 1eerson. 1eerson,
as KIeIn noIes, vas meIIcuIous aIouI documenIaIIon and vas very much
avare oI IeavIn an archIve Ior hIsIory. SearchIn Ior InIormaIIon aIouI
HemIn, hIs Iormer sIave and cheI, Ihouh, Is exIremeIy dIcuII, and reduc
In Ihe IIves oI sIaves Io IIsIs and accounIsIo Ihe sInaIs IhaI remaInIs
uneIhIcaI. DravIn Irom Ihe vorL oI SaIdIya HarImann and SIehen BesI,
KIeIn uses DH IooIs Io Irace Ihe hosI, Ihe IInerIn resence, oI HemIn. She
uses Ihese IooIs Io drav ouI Ihe comIexIIy oI reIaIIons IeIveen IndIvIduaIs
across socIaI rous. BesIsIIn Ihe IoIc oI and eIhIc oI recovery, she maLes
Ihe unrecorded sIory oI HemIns exand vIIh meanIn and moIIon. She
aIso, even as she uses Ihese IooIs, crIIIques vIsuaIIzaIIon as Ihe ansver,
IInLIn Ihe IoIc oI vIsuaIIzaIIon Io 1eersons uses oI II Io jusIIIy sIavery.
KIeIns vorL eIIomIzes hov DH can Ie used Io raIe vIIh Ihe
ImossIIIe, raIher Ihan sImIy usher In Ihe ossIIIe. I IhInL IhaI her vorL
and some oIher vorL In DHIy reIusIn Ihe IIhI and Ihe darL, reveaIs Ihe
vays In vhIch Ihe vorL done Iy Ihe unIon oI Ihe dIIIaI and Ihe humanIIIes
(a unIon IhaI Is noI nev, IuI rIch In hIsIory) vIII noI Ie In Ihe cIearIn (Io
reIer Io HeIdeer), IuI raIher, as you suesI, In Ihe shadovs.
Table 1
rY zo: ArorIa
IIon BequesI (s In
Ihousands).
Nru.ov
rY zo:z rY zo: rY zo:
Aro. IsIImaIe BequesI
Bridging Cultures s,g s,: sg,ooo
IducaIIon Prorams :,:g :,zbo :,zo
IederaI/SIaIe ParInershI o, o,b8 ,z
PreservaIIon and Access :,:b :,zbg :,o
PuIIIc Prorams :,o :,8b :,ooo
Besearch Prorams :,oz :,g: :,
DIIIaI HumanIIIes ,: ,:b8 ,o
We Ihe PeoIe z,gg ,o:
Proram DeveIomenI gg oz oo
SuIIoIaI :o,8z :o8,8 ::,8:
ChaIIene UranIs 8, 8,o8 8,8o
Treasury Iunds z,8: z,gb z,oo
SuIIoIaI :o,8 :o,8o ::,zo
AdmInIsIraIIon z,b z,bz z,g8
ToIaI s:b,oz: s:b,g:* s:,b
*ThIs coIumn reecIs rY zo: annuaIIzed IundIn, IncIudIn a o.b:z Increase as rovIded Iy
Ihe rY zo: ConIInuIn ArorIaIIons BesoIuIIon, .L. ::z:.
vrNoY uii xYoNc cuiN Is ProIessor and ChaIr oI Modern CuIIure and MedIa aI Brovn InI
versIIy. She has sIudIed IoIh sysIems desIn enIneerIn and InIIsh IIIeraIure, vhIch she
comIInes and muIaIes In her currenI vorL on dIIIaI medIa. She Is Ihe auIhor oI Programmed
Visions: Software and Memory (MassachuseIIs InsIIIuIe oI TechnoIoy Press, zo::) and Con-
trol and Freedom: Power and Paranoia in the Age of Fiber Optics (MassachuseIIs InsIIIuIe
oI TechnoIoy Press, zoob). She Is vorLIn on a monorah IIIIed HaIIIuaI Nev MedIa.
Lisn \nvir vuooY Is Besearch AssIsIanI ProIessor aI Ihe Boy BosenzveI CenIer Ior HIsIory
and Nev MedIa aI Ueore Mason InIversIIy. Her research emIoys advanced comuIaIIonaI
meIhods such as IoIc modeIIn Io revIse exIsIIn IheorIes oI ekphrasisoeIry Io, Ior, and
aIouI Ihe vIsuaI arIs. She Is edIIor oI Ihe Journal of Digital Humanities and rojecI manaer
Ior Ihe InsIIIuIe oI Museum and IIIrary ServIces (i\Ls) sInaIure conIerence, WeIWIse.
: See IInLs and KInLs In Ihe
ChaIn: CoIIaIoraIIon In Ihe DIIIaI
HumanIIIes Ior an aIsIracI oI Ihe
zoog \Ln ConvenIIon aneI.
z Ior a IIsI oI Ihe IvenIyseven dII
IaI humanIIIes and medIa sIudIes
sessIons resenIed aI Ihe zoog \Ln
ConvenIIon, see SamIe.
AI Ihe IIme, much medIa aIIenIIon
vas devoIed Io Ihe United States
v. Microsoft Corporation anIIIrusI
case InIIIaIed In :gg8 and seIIIed
Iy Ihe InIIed SIaIes DearImenI
oI 1usIIce In zoo:, vhIch creaIed
a IacLdro Ior ensuIn conver
saIIons aIouI oen sIandards In
humanIIIes comuIIn.
See 1ohn InsvorIhs IaIL, WhaI
Is HumanIIIes ComuIIn and
WhaI Is NoI Ior more aIon Ihese
IInes.
IndIrecI cosI recovery sIarIed dur
In WorId WarII and Ihe era oI BI
ScIence: Ihe overnmenI areed Io
ay Ior Ihe hysIcaI InIrasIrucIure
needed Ior Iunded rojecIs; rIvaIe
ranI aencIessIIII a Iare source
oI IundIn Ior Ihe humanIIIes,
oIIen In Ihe Iorm oI IeIIovshIs
rouIIneIy reIuse Io ay Ior Ihese
oseIs.
Anderson, BenedIcI. Imagined Communities: Reections on the Origin and the Spread of
Nationalism. Iondon: \erso, :g8.
Ayers, Idvard I. A MoreBadIcaI OnIIne BevoIuIIon. Chronicle of Higher Education IeI.
zo:. hII://chronIcIe.com/arIIcIe/AMoreBadIcaIOnIIne/:bg:/.
BerIanI, Iauren. Cruel Optimism. Durham: DuLe i, zo::.
Brennan, SheIIa. IeI Ihe UranI Do Ihe TaILIn. Journal of Digital Humanities :. (IaII zo:z).
hII://journaIoIdIIIaIhumanIIIes.or/:/IeIIheranIdoIheIaILInIysheIIaIrennan/
(accessed zb 1uIy zo:).
CecIre, NaIaIIa. Theory and Ihe \IrIues oI DIIIaI HumanIIIes. InIroducIIon. Journal of
Digital Humanities :.: (WInIer zo::). hII://journaIoIdIIIaIhumanIIIes.or/::/InIroducIIon
IheoryandIhevIrIuesoIdIIIaIhumanIIIesIynaIaIIacecIre/ (accessed zb 1uIy zo:).
CIemenI, Tanya, and Dave IesIer. O Ihe TracLs: IayIn Nev IInes Ior DIIIaI HumanIIIes
SchoIars. hII://mIIh.umd.edu/vconIenI/uIoads/vhIIeaer_oIheIracLs.dI (accessed
zb 1uIy zo:).
DavIdson, CaIhy. HumanIIIes z.o: PromIse, PerIIs, PredIcIIons. \Ln :z. (zoo8): o:.
Notes
Works Cited
DomIrovsLI, uInn. WhaIever Haened Io ProjecI BamIoo ConIerence aer. DHzo:
ConIerence. :g 1uIy zo:. InIversIIy oI NeIrasLaIIncoIn.
IIsh, SIanIey. The OId Order ChaneIh. New York Times zb Dec. zo::. hII://oInIonaIor
.IIos.nyIImes.com/zo::/:z/zb/IheoIdorderchaneIh/.
IIanders, 1uIIa. The ProducIIve Inease oI z:sICenIury DIIIaI SchoIarshI. Digital
Humanities Quarterly . (zoog). hII://vvv.dIIIaIhumanIIIes.or/dhq/voI///oooo/oooo
.hImI.
UIIson, WIIIIam. The ScIence In ScIence IIcIIon. Talk of the Nation. Nv o Nov. :ggg. hII://
vvv.nr.or/IemIaIes/sIory/sIory.hsIoryId=:obzzo.
KIeIn, Iauren I. The Imae oI AIsence: ArchIvaI SIIence, DaIa \IsuaIIzaIIon, and 1ames
HemIns. American Literature and New Media. Sec. Issue oI American Literature 8.
(Dec. zo:): bb:b8.
. A BeorI Has Come Here. Lauren F. Klein (IIo). g 1an. zo:. hII://Imc.aIech
.edu/~ILIeIn/zo:z/o:/og/areorIhascomeheresocIaIneIvorLanaIysIsInIheaersoI
Ihomasjeerson/.
IevIn, Tamar. AI CoIIees, HumanIIIes 1oI OuIIooL UeIs BIeaLer. New York Times :8 Dec.
zoog.
IInLs and KInLs In Ihe ChaIn: CoIIaIoraIIon In Ihe DIIIaI HumanIIIes. PaneI. Modern Lan-
guages Association Program Archive zg Dec. zoog. hII://vvv.mIa.or/conv_IIsIIns_deIaII
ro_Id=gooyear=zoog.
IIu, AIan. DIIIaI HumanIIIes and AcademIc Chane. English Language Notes (SrIn
zoog): :. rvsco HosI (accessed :o Dec. zoog).
. Where Is CuIIuraI CrIIIcIsm In Ihe DIIIaI HumanIIIes Alan Liu. WeIae.
hII://IIu.enIIsh.ucsI.edu/vhereIscuIIuraIcrIIIcIsmInIhedIIIaIhumanIIIes/ (accessed
z 1uIy zo:).
Iosh, IIz. The MInIsIry oI SIIIy WaILs. Virtualpolitik zg Dec. zoog. hII://neIvorLedIIos
.com/zzgo8g.
MandeII, Iaura. DIIIaI HumanIIIes: The BrIhI SoI. ni\s : 1an. zo:o. hII://aIms.muohIo
.edu/zo:o/o:/:/dIIIaIhumanIIIesIheIrIhIsoI/.
National Endowment for the Humanities Appropriations Request for Fiscal Year . Wash
InIon, oc. NaIIonaI IndovmenI Ior Ihe HumanIIIes, zo:. hII://vvv.neh.ov/Ies/neh
_requesI_Iyzo:.dI (accessed zb 1uIy zo:).
NeveId, ChrIsIoher. IndIn Ihe BudeI Wars: IundIn Ihe HumanIIIes durIn a CrIsIs In
HIher IducaIIon. Profession : (zoog): zo8. hII://vvv.mIajournaIs.or/doI/dI/:o.:bz
/roI.zoog.zoog.:.zo (accessed zb 1uIy zo:).
PannaacLer, WIIIIam. The \Ln and Ihe DIIIaI HumanIIIes. Chronicle of Higher Education
z8 Dec. zoog. hII://chronIcIe.com/IIoPosI/TheMIAIheDIIIaI/:gb8/.
. PannaacLer aI \Ln: The ComeIoDH MomenI. Chronicle of Higher Educa-
tion 1an. zo:z. hII://chronIcIe.com/IIos/IraInsIorm/annaacLeraIIhemIazIhecome
IodhmomenI/z8::.
BosenzveI, Boy, and Dan Cohen. Digital History: A Guide to Gathering, Preserving, and
Presenting the Past on the Web. PhIIadeIhIa: i oI PennsyIvanIa , zoo.
SamIe, MarL. DIIIaI HumanIIIes SessIons aI Ihe zoog \Ln. Sample Reality (IIo). : Nov.
zoog. hII://vvv.samIereaIIIy.com/zoog/::/:/dIIIaIhumanIIIessessIonsaIIhezoogmIa/.
TsIn, Anna I. Friction: An Ethnography of Global Connection. Nev 1ersey: PrInceIon i, zoo.
InsvorIh, 1ohn. DocumenIIn Ihe BeInvenIIon oI TexI: The ImorIance oI IaIIure. Journal
of Electronic Publishing .z (Dec. :gg). hII://dx.doI.or/:o.gg8/b:.ooo.zo: (accessed
zb 1uIy zo:).
. WhaI Is HumanIIIes ComuIIn, and WhaI Is NoI hII://comuIerhIIoIoIe
.IudarmsIadI.de/joz/unsvorIh.hImI (accessed zb 1uIy zo:).
WernImonI, 1acqueIIne. NoI (Be)CoverIn IemInIsI MeIhods In DIIIaI HumanIIIes.
Jacqueline Wernimont (IIo). :g 1uIy zo:. hII://jvernImonI.vordress.com/zo:/o/:g
/noIrecoverInIemInIsImeIhodsIndIIIaIhumanIIIes.
WIIIIIord, ChrIsIa, and CharIes Henry. One Culture: Computationally Intensive Research in
the Humanities and Social Sciences: A Report on the Experiences of First Respondents to the
Digging into Data Challenge. WashInIon, oc: cLiv, zo:z. hII://vvv.cIIr.or/uIs/reorIs
/uI:: (accessed zb 1uIy zo:).
\oIumez,NumIer: ooi:o.:z:/:oog:zzooo
zo:IyBrovnInIversIIyandd i f f e r e n c e s : A Journal of Feminist Cultural Studies
rioNn\.vnvNr11
The Brave Side of Digital Humanities
A Genealogy of Provocations
WhIIesIandInaaInsIIhevaIIInavIndovIessconIerence
room and scroIIIn Ihrouh Ihe IveeIs Ior Ihe DarL SIde oI Ihe DIIIaI
HumanIIIesconIerencesessIon,IheIoneoIIhereaIIImedIIIaIconversa
IIonvassocounIerIomyundersIandInoIIheaneIIsIsdIscussIonIhaII
IrIeyvonderedIIIvasInIhevronroomorIoIIovInIhevronTvII
Ier sIream. Iven aIIer conrmIn Ihe correcI hashIa Ior Ihe sessIon, Ihe
uncerIaInIyersIsIedunIIIIreconIzedIhesameschoIarsInIheroomand
InIheTvIIIersIream.TheconceIoIreconIIIonandmIsreconIIIonhas
rovIdedauseIuIIramevorLIormanyquesIIonsInIemInIsIIheory,ender
sIudIes,andoIIIIcaIIheory,andIIconIInuesIooerauseIuIIramevorLIor
consIderIndIscIIInaryIoundarIesandIheconversaIIonsIhaIIaLeIaceIn
IheIoreoIeIdIormaIIon.InLeeInvIIhIheIhemeoIrovocaIIonsoered
IyIheseaLersaIIhe\LnaneI,IdIILeIooerIhIsreconIIIon/mIsreconI
IIonasoneoIIherIncIIesIhaIconIInuesIoIosIersomeoIIhemoreIhorny
deIaIesovervhaIconsIIIuIesIheeIdoIdIIIaIhumanIIIes,vhocanIesI
reIayIIseneaIoy,anderhasmosIcrIIIcaIIy,hovIheeIdvIIIIeshaed
InIheyearsIocome.AsIhe\LnaneIIsIsdecIaredInIhesessIonIIseII,Ihe
cruxoIIheconversaIIonaIouIIhearameIersoIDHIssImuIIaneousIyIIs
IrIhIsIde,IIsdarLsIde,and,IdIILeIooer,IIsIravesIde(BaIIey).
TheaneIIsIs,WendyChun,BIchardUrusIn,PaIrIcL1aoda,and
BIIaBaIey,verechanneIInIheenreoIrovocaIIons,asIheyconsIdered
andcrIIIquedIhedIscourseaIouIdIIIaIhumanIIIesInourconIemorary
momenI.TheIourseaLerscameIromdIerenIdearImenIs,dIscIIInes,
InsIIIuIIons,andcareersIaesandhaveaIIvorLedondIIIaImedIaIhrouh
ouI IheIr careers. They oered crIIIcaIIy enaed commenIary reardIn
IhedIscursIveosIIIonoIdIIIaIhumanIIIesInIheacademy,IncIudInIhe
muchmaIInedIuzzvordsoI\oocs(MassIveOenOnIIneCourses),onIIne
IearnIn,amIcaIIon,andIhesecIeroIIheneoIIIeraIeducaIIonaIsysIem
rImarIIyIocusedonroIsandIdenIIaIIemarLersoIsuccess.
They crIIIqued Ihe emIrace oI a IechnouIoIanIsm IhaI, as
Chun oInIed ouI, Lees us Iraed In vhaI IaurenI BerIanI caIIs crueI
oIImIsm as ve conIInuaIIy jusIIIy our exIsIence In Ierms IhaI are noI
ourovn.CrueIoIImIsmaIIovsusIoseeIheonIysaIvaIIonassIIuaIIonaI
raIherIhansIrucIuraI(vejusIneedIundInIorxyzrojecI),orIIaIIovs
usIoIeIIeveIhaIIheroIIemIacInoursIudenIsandourroIessIonIsa
IacLoIIechnIcaIsavvyraIherIhananeconomIcsysIemIhaIundermInes
IheIuIureoIoursIudenIs(Chun).
ManyaudIencememIersIooLIheIrdIsareemenIIoTvIIIerIo
IamenI IhaI Ihese IoIcs vere noI sucIenI reresenIaIIons oI rojecIs In
dIIIaIhumanIIIes,andIurIhermore,IheyverenoIonIymIsreresenIaIIons,
IheycameasanaronIIosome.TheconversaIIononTvIIIerzeroedInon
IhenoIIonIhaI\oocs,onIIneIearnIn,andIheIeIIshIzaIIonoIIechnoIoy
verenoIaIIhehearIoImosIDHrojecIsandIhaIIheaneIIsIsveremIs
IaLInIheseIossynarraIIvesIorreaIdIIIaIhumanIIIesrojecIs,suchas
IhoseIhaIIuIIdIooIs(IILearchIvaIIaIIormsandmechanIsmsIorsIudyIn
IexIsorIordeveIoInnevIexIs),enaevIIhacrIIIcaIanaIysIsoIIhecode
IIseII,chaIIeneIhevaysIhaILnovIedeIssharedorused,oravhoIehosI
oIoIherrojecIsIhaIvouIdresumaIIyhaveIeenmorereadIIyundersIood
asreresenIaIIveoIIheschoIarIyDHecosysIem.
OneIveeIsummeduIheaudIencesreacIIonIysayIn,Isu
oseananIIDHIacLIashvasInevIIaIIeImjusIsadIhaIsomeInIheacLed
|room]mIhIIhInLIheseareIaIrcharacIerIzaIIons(CordeII).AsanoIher
IveeIremIndedus,\oocsarenoIDHIoDHers.NeIIherIsOnIIneIearnIn
(TemIeIon).ThequesIIonoIvheIher\oocsandonIIneIearnInmIhIIe
consIderedarIoIIhehIsIoryoIdIIIaIhumanIIIesvIIhInIheacademyhas
IeenveIIdIscussed(AIvarado),IuIIhedouIIaroundIhIssecIcconIenI
66 The Brave Side of Digital Humanities
InIeresIsmeIessIhanIhesIrucIureoIIhecrIIIqueIIseII.ThecrIIIquevas
IasedonameasureoIreconIIIonor,moreaIIy,mIsreconIIIon,andIhe
aIIeedconnecIIonIeIveenDHandIhesecuIIuraIoIjecIsvasaarenIIy
sounreconIzaIIeIhaIIheyveredIsIurIInInIheIrradIcaIdIssocIaIIon.
AI Ihe end oI Ihe aneI, one audIence memIer IrouhI u IhIs
roIIemoInoIreconIzInIherojecIsunderconsIderaIIonasIaIIInInIo
IhecaIeoryoIdIIIaIhumanIIIes.OneIveeI,documenIInIhIsquesIIon,
rovIdessomeInsIhIInIoIheIoneoIIheInquIry:IdIdnIreconIzeDHIn
vhaIIheaneIvasdIscussIn(ohsna!)(HarrIs).AnoIherIveeIredIrecIs
ouraIIenIIonIoIheduaIIIyoIreconIIIon:IdIdnIreconIzeaIoIoIvhaI
I reconIze as DH In vhaI |Ihe seaLers] have IaILed aIouI In Ihe aneI
(KIrschenIaum).Ohsna,Indeed.
ThouhIheaneIraIsedanumIeroIexceIIenIquesIIons,Ihere
vasanovervheImInconsensusonTvIIIerIhaIvhaIeverIheaneImem
IersveredIscussIn,IIvasnIacademIcDH.AsoneresonseemhasIzed,
IIsnoIIhaIIheyreunIaIr|characIerIzaIIons],erse,jusIIareIyuncon
necIedIomuchacIuaIacademIcracIIceoIDH.InanaIIemIIosIeerIhe
conversaIIonIovardIheIarersIaLesoIIhearumenI,IosedasomevhaI
rheIorIcaIquesIIonInresonse:IdonIIhInLIheyreanIIDH.BrInInu
|quesIIons]oIeIdIormaIIonIsnIexacIIyIhesameasIeInaaInsIIheeId,
no(BarneII).ThIsdouIIemIsreconIIIonIeIveensomeoIIheaudIence
memIersandIheaneIIsIs,andIeIveenmyovnundersIandInoIIheaneI
and oIhers resonses Io IIconIrIIuIed Io Ihe IaIrIy Iense dIscussIon on
TvIIIer.Iorme,InIhaImomenI,IheInIeresIInquesIIonsverenoIvheIher
or noI \oocs are a arI oI Ihe InIeIIecIuaI herIIae oI dIIIaI humanIIIes,
IuIvhyIoILsInIheaudIenceveresoInsIsIenIIhaIanyIeveIoIenaemenI
vIIh\oocsvasIanIamounIIoanendorsemenI,andmosIImorIanIIy,vhy
suchachaIIeneIoIheIoundarIesoIDHvasmeIvIIhsuchderIsIon.My
nexI InIerjecIIon IrIed Io cIarIIy IhaI Ihe aneI vas Iess an exressIon oI
vhoIesaIedIsIrusIoIDHandmoreoIaerIormanceoIhovDHhasIeen
arorIaIed and IrIumhed as Ihe unIversaI saIve Io Ihe IroLen sysIem
oIhIhereducaIIon.AsIoeredIheIrIeIexIanaIIonIIshouIdroIaIIy
IecIarIedIhaIsomeIImesIoILssayDIIIaIHumanIIIesvhenIheymean
IhedIscoursenvoi1ou(BarneII)IIseemedevIdenIIhaIIhesIaLesoIIhe
conversaIIon vere IaId Iare. The dIsuIe vasnI mereIy aIouI semanIIcs,
IuIaIouIdecodInIensIonsInIheIormaIIonoIaeIdandoIdecIherIn
IheeIdsImaInary(WIemanz).
WhyhasIheseIIdeveIoedeneaIoyoIIheorIInsoIDHcuI
mInaIed In a sysIemIc need Io secure IIs sIaIus aaInsI varIous Iyes oI
crIIIque WhaI conIrIIuIed Io some IoILs In Ihe audIence IeIn unaIIe Io
reconIzeIheaneIIsIsresenIaIIonsasacrIIIqueoIIhevayDHhasIeen
usedInhIhereducaIIon,andnoIrImarIIyanaIIacLoIDHIIseIIAaIn,
IheInIerIayIeIveenreconIIIonandmIsreconIIIonmIhIoerusause
IuIIramIndevIce.AsNaIaIIaCecIreadded,:. DHersusuaIIydonIseedh
asanacea.z. AdmInsoIIendo.. DHersoIIenneedIoradmInsIohaveIhIs
erroneousIeIIeI.TheeIdIIseII,Insomevays,canIraceIhIsIensIonIacL
IoIIsnomencIaIure:dIIIaIhumanIIIesasIhedIscIIInarymerInoIIhe
dIIIaI(vhIchresumaIIydIdnoIconIaInIhehumanIIIes)andIhehumanI
IIes(vhIchresumaIIyverenoIsynonymousvIIhdIIIaIvorL).TheeId
emeredouIoIaarenIconIradIcIIonsandreuIarIyconIronIsosIensIIIe
dIscreancIes IeIveen IechnIcaI archIIecIure and IIIerary Iorm, IeIveen
narraIIvedevIcesandhardvareInIerIaces,IeIveenuserenaemenIsand
IheracIIceoIreadIn.IvenasDHIaLesrIdeInIIscaacIIyIoIaIanceand
IIenddIsaraIeIormsoIInquIry,hovever,IIconIInuaIIyrearmscerIaIn
aroachesasInconruenIandouIsIdeoIIIsovnscoeoIIocus.
ThIsaerenaesvIIhconIerenceaneIsIromIvodIerenI
evenIsasavayoIcaIIInaIIenIIonIoIheInuenIIaIconversaIIonsInIhese
sacesoIacademIcInquIry.AsayouneId,DHIsasacevheremanyoI
IheconIours,Leyvords,andsIrucIuresIordeIaIeareIIIeraIIyhashedouI
In reaI IIme over TvIIIer, IIos, and In Ihe eshy avaIar sace oI con
Ierencerooms.OIcourse,ImorIanIconIrIIuIIonsareaIsoarIIcuIaIedIn
IonerIormIIos,schoIarshIareaIorssuchasDigital Humanities Now,
and many journaIs, monorahs, and edIIed coIIecIIons; IuI IaLIn InIo
consIderaIIonIheconversaIIonsaIconIerenceaneIsaIIovsusIoconsIder
IherocessoIeIdIormaIIon,shIIIs,anddIversIonsInvaysIhaIaresImIy
noIreIIcaIIeInIonerIImeIramesormoreIormaImodesoIschoIarshI.
Recognizable Patterns
AIIhehearIoIDHIsaLIndoImIsreconIIIon,amerInoIaIIen
IIonIoIechnoIoIesIhaIhaveIeendeemedexIraneousIoIhehumanIIIes
vIIhIooIs(andoIjecIsoIsIudy)IhaIhaveIeenmoreIamIIIarIoIhedIscI
IInaryconvenIIonsInIhehumanIIIes.AsaIvays,IherocessoIreconI
IIon can Ie an ImorIanI comonenI oI IuIIdIn a communIIyacademIc
oroIhervIseandIIcanIeesecIaIIycrIIIcaIInIherocessoIIuIIdIna
IransIormaIIveschoIarshIIyIryInIoIecenevarIsIoeIher,IoexamIne
IhemvIIhanevIyeoIIens,orIouIIhemInconversaIIonvIIhsomeIhIn
eIse.BuIIhIsreconIIIonIsadouIIeededsvord:IIadmIIsInIoIheIoIdaI
IhesameIImeIIexcIudes(SedvIcL).ThequesIIonoIvhaIcounIsIs,oI
course,ImorIanIIocommunIIyIormaIIonanddIIIaIIdenIIIyandIoeLIn
ouI resources oI aII LInds In IhIs academIc ecosysIem. BuI vhaI haens
vhenIheconversaIIonIsnoIaIouIreconIzInsImIIarIIyacrossdIerences
ordIsarIIy,IuIaIouIdecIarInsomeIhInIoIeunreconIzaIIeassuch
PaIIerns.PaIIernIn.WhaIIsmadeInIheshaeoIaaIIern,vhaI
IecomesIhemoId,vhaIIecomesIIsdeIauIIThIsIsImorIanIInIermsnoI
onIyoIIheoIjecIsoIInquIryIuIaIsooIIhecuIIuraIandoIIIIcaIaencIes
IvInrIseIosecIcossIIIIIIIesoIIhaIInquIry.
WhaIIsIheeecIvhenanaIvaysaIreadyundersIoodseIoI
orIIn sIorIes deIermInes IncIusIon Hov does IhIs deIermInaIIon hIne
noIonIyonvhIchrojecIsmIhIIeconsIderedvIIhInIhescoeoIdIIIaI
humanIIIesIuIonvhIchschoIarsareconsIderedIoIeInherenIIyInvesIed
InDH,orIoIaLeasIeIurIherIovardIdenIIIy,IoIeconsIderedasdIIIaI
humanIsIsWhaIIsIheeecIoIaconversaIIonIhaIseeLsIoesIaIIIshIhe
IyesoIquesIIonsorrojecIsIhaIcanIeconsIderedvIIhInaeIdasaIore
oneconcIusIonWhaIIsIheIInLIeIveenmaLInacaIeorIcaIreIusaIIo
reconIzeoneIyeoIrojecIorInquIryandmoreeneraIoIIcInIoesIaI
IIsh Ihe eId as a coherenI, vIaIIe, and reconIzaIIe enIIIy ThIs Is aIouI
moreIhanasecIccommenIorreacIIon;IIIsadesIreIorcommensuraIIIIIy.
AIsIaLeIsnoIonIyIheoIIIIcsoIIncIusIonandreresenIaIIon(seeCecIre,
TacII)IuIoIIuIIdInnevoIIIIcaIreaIIIIes,nevIormsoIIhehumanIIIes
asmuchasnevIormsoIIhedIIIaI.
WhaIeIscounIedasDHIsaIormoIconsIrucIIon,racIIce,and
raxIsIhaIcancerIaInIyIeuseIuIInIermsoIIuIIdInnevrojecIsand
eLInouIresourcesInoverIurdenedacademIcIudeIs.WhaIvouIdIImean
IoreorIenIourorIInsIoryavayIromonevIIhaseIoIsecIc,oIIencIIed
schoIars and conIerences and Iovard a seI oI rojecIs IhaI moIIIIzes Ihe
conIcIIn ossIIIIIIIes oI hardvare and soIIvare, IIovare and IIoIoy,
roceduraIIsmandossIIIIIIyAsamemIeroIIheIoosecoIIecIIveLnovn
as-TransIormDH,IhaveIoundIhaIIheseIyesoIquesIIonshaveIeenIoun
daIIonaIIoourundersIandInoIvhaIIImeansIodecodedIIIaIhumanIIIes
andhovvecanayaIIenIIonIoIhecuIIuraIandoIIIIcaIreaIIIIesvIIhIn
Ihe rojecIs, aIIIances, Ieams, cenIers, and aIIaIIons IhaI consIrucI Ihe
II IenI oI dIIIaI humanIIIes. As AIexIs IoIhIan and Amanda PhIIIIs
remIndusInIheIrarIIcIe,CanDIIIaIHumanIIIesMeanTransIormaIIve
CrIIIqueIhesequesIIonshaveaIonIradIIIon,anIecedInIherIseoIDH
IIseII:TheIrIhIIIhIsandmarchInIandsoIIhesocaIIedIIIenIouI
shIne Iess marLeIaIIe hIsIorIes oI enaemenI vIIh IechnoIoy IhaI have
emeredIromsIandoInIsIhaIcrIIIqueIherIvIIeInoIcerIaInendered,
racIaIIzed,cIassed,aIIeIodIed,WesIerncenIrIcroducIIonsoILnovIede.
Indeed,asMoyaBaIIeyvrIIesInAIIIheDIIIaIHumanIsIsAreWhIIe,AII
Ihe Nerds Are Men, IuI Some oI Is Are Brave, IransIormIn Ihe eId oI
DHrequIresmoreIhanayInIIservIceIodIversIIy.ThereIsadIerence
IeIveen maLIn room In our IenI and meeIIn oIher IoILs vhere Ihey
are:dIerenIrIorIIIesanddIerenIIocusescanIeadIodIerenIIyesoI
rojecIs.PracIIcaIIIyandreconIIIonarenIaIvaysIhedrIvInasIraIIons
IehIndarojecI.SomeIImesamIIIIonsareIraver,sImuIIaneousIyIroader
andmorenIIe:IheyreaIouIIransIormInIheeId,IransIormInIhevay
vemIhILnovIheasI,andhovvemIhIcomeIoIearnourovnIuIure.
Alter Egos, New Media, and Black/Queer Performativity
TvomonIhsIeIoreIhe\LnaneI,IaravayIromIheIrIIdBos
IonvInd,IheAmerIcanSIudIesAssocIaIIon(nsn)heIdIIsannuaIconIerence
In San 1uan, PuerIo BIco, Ior Ihe rsI IIme. Many aneIs Iouched on Ihe
conIerenceIhemeoIDImensIonsoIImIreandBesIsIance:PasI,PresenI,
and IuIure, IncIudIn Ihose addressed Io cuIIuraI oIjecIs and oInIs oI
InIervenIIonIndecoIonIaI,osIcoIonIaI,andanIIcoIonIaIIsIsaces.DIIIaI
humanIIIeshadIeenvIsIIIyresenIaInsnIorseveraIyearsandseemedIo
reach a crescendo aI IhIs years meeIIn, IncIudIn a 1un1cam IhaI meI
severaI days IeIore Ihe conIerence. In a aneI IIIIed Im a MuIhaILIn
MonsIer: AIIer Ios, Nev MedIa, and BIacL/ueer PerIormaIIvIIy, Ihree
schoIarsoenedaconversaIIononrojecIsvIIhInIersecIIonsIeIveennev
medIa,erIormancesIudIes,cuIIuraIsIudIes,andacademIcIIIeInzo:.The
rImaryIhreadamonIheIhreeresenIaIIonsvasIhenoIIonoIaIIereos:
IheroducIIon,deveIomenI,andexerImenIaIIonvIIhaIIernaIeIdenIIIIes,
IoIhInIheIroIjecIsoIInquIryandInIheIrovnerIormancesandracIIces
oIsIraIeIcIdenIIcaIIon.
AsIsaIInonIhe\LnaneIseveraImonIhsIaIer,vaIchInIhe
deIaIeaIouIIheIImIIsoIDH,onequesIIonreoccuIedmyaIIenIIon:vouId
IheAIIerIosaneIhaveIeenreconIzaIIeasDHIoIheaudIencememIers
hereIInoI,vasIIIecauseIherojecIsvereIooensconcedInaarIIcuIar
IyeoIIheoreIIcaIanderIormaIIveInquIryOrvereIheIrcrIIIcaIarchIves
noI IamIIIar Io DH racIIIIoners Or erhas IheIr academIc eneaIoIes
verenI IechnIcaI enouh And Ieyond IhIs arIIcuIar aneI, vhy are so
IevDHaneIsheadIInedIyschoIarsoIcoIor,arIIcuIarIyvomenoIcoIor,
esecIaIIyInaneIsvhereIherImaryIocusvasnoIraceIIDHIssooverIIy
IocusedonconceIssuchascommunIIydrIvendeveIomenI,oensource
communIIIes,andoenaccessresources,vhyareIhecorresondInques
IIonsaIouIIheIImIIsoIIhaIoennessoIIenmeIvIIhsuchdIsIeIIeIorIndII
IerenceDoesIheresumedoennessconIrIIuIeIomaLInIhequesIIonIn
oIIIsneuIraIIIyevenmoredIcuIIThesequesIIonsmIhIIerheIorIcaI,
IuIIheyoInIIoIheIreaLdovnoIaIarersysIemIcmeIhodIorIuIIdIna
eIdIhaIIs(IILemanyeIdsanddIscIIInes)IasedonreconIIIon,IncIud
InersonaIInvIIaIIonsIoaneIs,suImIssIonsIojournaIs,andaIrInu
IoaIyIormajorranIaIIcaIIons.
TheAIIerIoaneIIsIs,IrIMcMIIIan,TrevaIIndsay,and1es
sIcaMarIe1ohnson,oenedaconversaIIononrace,IIacLness,ocuIIure,
cuIIuraIarorIaIIon,IhemusIcIndusIry,andnevmedIaracIIcesoIIoIh
roducIIon and consumIIon. Perhas mosI crIIIcaIIy, Ihe aneIIsIs vere
InvesIedInquesIIonsIocusedoncuIIuraIoIjecIsandmeIhodsoIInquIry,as
veIIasonIheIrovnexerIencesnavIaIInacademIcIIIevhIIeInhaIIIIn
IodIesmarLedIyoverreIaIIons.TheseIvoIhreadsverevovenIoeIher
InIhedIscussIonoIdeIIIeraIeIacIIcsusedIoerIormcerIaInroIesorachIeve
cerIaIn oaIs, deendIn on Ihe conIexI. Im a MuIhaILIn MonsIer Is
aIyrIcIromaKanyeWesIsonIeaIurInNIcLIMInaj,andIIrovIdedIhe
aneIvIIhacrIIIcaIIexIconIorIheracIIceoIassemIIIn,dIsassemIIIn,
IorrovIn,andrearorIaIInIhecomonenIsoIseII InIheacademy.
IachoIIheaersIhouhIIuIIyaIIedcrIIIcaIanaIysIsIoIhe
dIIIaImedIaroducedIy/IorcuIIuraIIconssuchasSashaIIerce/Beyonce
andNIcLIMInaj,esecIaIIyInIermsoIIemInIsIIconorahyandIheIIacL
queeraesIheIIcIhaIIsoIIendeIIIeraIeIydeIoyedorshovcasedIodIerIn
eecI. The naI aer, On AIIer Ios and InnIIe IIIeracIes, ParI z (An
-AnII1emImasImeraIIve),vasIvenIy1essIcaMarIe1ohnsonandvas
oneoIIhemosIradIcaIIyImaInedandexecuIedDHrojecIsIhadseenIn
quIIesomeIIme.1ohnson,vrIIInasKIsmeINunez,IoundedIhe-AnII
1emImasunIverseoIIIos,TumIIrs,andTvIIIeraccounIs,commIIIedIo
IheveryhardvorLoIIuIIdInareaIyrIoIcoIorInavorIdoInevmedIa
(-AnII1emImas).IsIaIIIshedInzoo8asarojecIcaIIedSeIICare:BevIse,
BevIse,BevIse,Ihe-AnII1emImasecosysIemIsanexerImenIIndIIIaI
auIoIIorahy and archIve (I Need). ThIs muIIImodaI -AnII1emImas
unIverseIsnoIjusIseIIdocumenIaIIon;IIsseIIcreaIIn,seIIhaIIIuaIIn,
seIIneaIIn,andseIIdeveIoIn.IachoIIheIouraIIereoshasIIsovn
dIIIaIroducIIonsaceandIdenIIIy,andcoIIecIIveIy,IheyIormIhe-AnII
1emImasunIverse.
IIIsImorIanIIoemhasIzeIhesImuIIaneousrojecIaIvorL:
II Is an archIve oI noIes, Imaes, quoIaIIons, documenIs, medIa Ies, and
Imaes,IuIIIIsaIsoIheImaInaIIonoIaseIIandaradIcaIcommunIIyoI
seIvescomInIoeIherIoIeIoIharchIvedandImaInedInIoIeInaIIhe
sameIIme.ThrouharocessoIseIIreconIIIonandmIsreconIIIon,KIs
meINunezconsIrucIsIhedocumenIaIIonoIherIIIeaIIhesameIImeasshe
consIrucIsaradIcaIIanIasyoIherrocessoIIecomIn.TheaIouIae
onhersIIeNunezDauhIerexIaInsmore:KIsmeINunez,(#AntiJemimas
IounderandCreaIIveDIrecIor),deIoysz:sIcenIuryIormsoIarI,auIoII
orahy, and erIormance aaInsI Ihe dIscursIve IerraIn oI race, sex and
ersonaIIIy.WIIhIheheIoInevmedIa,KIsmeIIreaLsherseIIInIoIeces
IoIecomemoreIhanherarIsInarevoIuIIonaryacIoIdeance,armaIIon
oseIIcare(1ohnson,-AnII1emImas).
ThecoIIecIIveaIsooeraIesunderIhemonILerIvannaIIvero
ducIIons,vhIchcaIIsaIIenIIonIoIoIhIIsseIIcreaIIonasadIIIaImedIa
rojecIandasaradIcaIacIoIseIIsusIaInInandseIIdeveIomenIInIhe
Iace oI desIrucIIve over reIaIIons, hIsIorIes, and onoIn vIoIence. ParI
rocIamaIIonandarImanIIesIo,IheInIroducIIonIoIvannaIIveroducIIons
sIaIes:
We believe black womyns voices are sheltered, altered, silenced,
distanced, mangled, strangled, violated, disrupted, imploded
and eroded.
We believe in telling our stories anyway. And in this st century
age of new media, if we s1iLL cant be human...
We will be cyborgs. (Johnson, About)
TheeecIoIIhe-AnII1emImasrojecIIsIocaIIaIIenIIonIoIhesIrucIures
vIIhInvhIchvearecreaIed,consIrucIed,IornaarI,damaed,andmade
vhoIeaaIn.The-AnII1emImasrosIerIncIudesIouraIIereos,eachvIIh
a dIsIIncI medIa IaIIorm and voIce: KIsmeI Nunez, Ihe SaIIe Ian UyrI,
ZoraWaILer,andPreIIyManoIIa.ThersI,KIsmeIherseII,underIaLesher
archIve/deveIomenI on Ihree dIerenI IaIIorms: her IIo, TvIIIer, and
TumIIr. KIsmeI Is Ihe rImary aIIer eo and Is mosI oIIen a voIce Ior Ihe
eshyavaIaroI1essIcaMarIe1ohnsonherseII.KIsmeIsvoIceonTvIIIer
IncIudesmyovnorIInaIIhouhIs,IInLsandshares,reIveeIsandmodI
edreIveeIsIromeoIevhosevordsIcaredeeIyaIouIrImarIIyqueer
cIs and Iransender vomen oI coIor doIn vorL on Ihe rIson IndusIrIaI
comIex, vIoIence aaInsI voc, demIIIIarIzaIIon, aIroIaIInIdad, Iandom
(scIencecIIon,IanIasy,secuIaIIvecIIon,aIroIuIurIsm),andIIacLImaes
InmedIa(OnAIIerIos).
The TumIIr IIo Ior Ihe second aIIer eo, SaIIe Ian UyrI, has
Ihe IaIIne random musIns Irom an aIroIuIurIsI vannaIe (1ohnson,
Confessions). SaIIe Ian UyrI remIxes Imaes and oIher medIa reIaIed Io
raceIendIn In Iandom, Imaes oI eoIe oI coIor In scIence cIIon and
IanIasy,andequIIyInIheuIIIshInIndusIry.SheIschIIdIILeandIayIuI,
quIIenerdy,quIIeavLvard,aIIIoIarecIuseandsomeIhInoIaromanIIc
(1ohnson,OnAIIerIos).WhensheIooLoverIheNunezDauhIerIIo
IoraveeL,SaIIeIanUyrIoeredIhIsInvIIaIIon:
[Kismet Nuez is] torn, you see. Between so many identities.
Spaces, places. I cant help but laugh when she tumbles around
the web asking her childish questions: What is slavery? Why be
mixed-race? How do we stop violence against women? How do
we live sex-full lives? The truth?
We have already seen this world made and destroyed many times
over. And we survive deep in its recess, in the black quiet of its
refuse.
What do questions of this world matter when there are so many
more to explore? (Johnson, Its Sable)
SaIIe Ian UyrI curaIes a coIIecIIon oI Ian IrIIuIe arI, quoIes and Imaes
IromsecuIaIIvecIIon,sIIIIsIromscIencecIIonIms,noIesonVampire
DiariesandTrue Blood,andoccasIonaIIyaearsonIheNunezDauhIer
IIovIIhIonerIormosIs.
Zora WaILer, Ihe IhIrd aIIer eo, InIroduces herseII vIIh IhIs
noIe:Iam+KIsmeINunezsPoIIIIcs.TheycaIImeZoraWaILer(1ohnson,
Zora).SheIsaMesIIzaje,acyIorIovechIIdcreaIedIyZoraNeaIeHursIon
andAIIceWaILer,andshevorLsIoremIxarIasoIIIIcsIhrouhconIem
oraryoIIIIcaIevenIsandcuIIuraIIexIs.HerTumIIrIsIIedvIIhamIx
IureoIImaes,oeIry,andquoIaIIons,suchassIorIesonvIoIenceaaInsI
undocumenIedvorLers;hoIorahsoIcIvIIrIhIserayouIh;commenIs
on Ihe HIho ArchIve aI Harvard; Ihe anaIysIs oI an InIerneI meme IhaI
hoIoshoed IrIda KahIos Iace onIo vInIae nude orIraIIs (McKenzIe);
andahoIorahyrojecIIhaIdocumenIsdIsenIranchIsedvoIers.Onear
IIcuIarIy sIrILIn osI Is an IndeIh resonse Io an anonymous quesIIon
suImIIIedIoherTumIIr.TheanonymousquesIIonerosesaquesIIonaIouI
IheconceIoI1uanCrovasaIaIInoarorIaIIonoIAIrIcanAmerIcan
suerIn; In IhIs momenI, as In many oon Ihreads and In Ihe commenIs,
SaIIeIanUyrIerIormsmanyaIIereosaIIhesameIIme:edao,roIes
sor,survIvor,hIsIorIan,menIor,andasIor.SheansversIhequesIIonvIIh
racevhIIeIeIIInIhereIenoamIIuIIyaIouIIhesysIemIcunderInnIns
oI1ImCrovandIhehIsIoryoIoIhersereaIIonIsIIavs:MyoressIonIs
noIaIadeoIhonor.ThesysIemIhaIIerrorIzedmyeoIeIsnoIaIade
oI honor. No one can arorIaIe II Irom me Iecause I donI vanI IhaI
shII(1ohnson,WhoCares).TheTumIIroonIeaIureaIIovsIhIsLIndoI
anonymousquesIIonIoIemeIvIIhasemIanonymousresonseInauIIIc
IorumoenIooIherreadersandeyes.HovvouIdIhIsLIndoIcommunIIy
InIeracIIon IransIer Io a Iunded, reconIzaIIe DH rojecI on a dIsIIncI
veIsIIevIIhouIIheconIexIoISaIIeIanUyrIsosIsandIhe-AnII1emImas
coIIecIIvevaIIInInIhevInsTheossIIIIIIyIorInIeracIIonIsIasedonIhe
IonsIandIncommunIIyenaemenIoISaIIeIanUyrIandKIsmeINunez,
andIIhInesonIhereconIzaIIeandIamIIIarIechnoIoIcaIIaIIormIor
herreaders.TheersonaIIsnoIjusIoIIIIcaI,IIIsuIIIcanderIormaIIve,
haunIIndIIIaIsaces,academIchaIIs,andInIImaIeconversaIIons.
The IourIh aIIer eo, PreIIy ManoIIa, Is InIroduced on her
TumIIraevIIhIheIaIIneYourIavorIIeIemInIsIsIavorIIevomanIsIs
orasm(1ohnson,Pretty).PreIIyManoIIaIsIheIIIIdooIKIsmeINunez,Ihe
erIormanceoIcororeaIdesIreandaneroIIcsecIacIeoIdIIIaIrurIence.
SheIaysvIIhIheassumedIImIIsoIresecIaIIIIIy,oursouIqueeraecIIon
andqueeraIIaIIon,IrIesonvarIousIormsoIsexuaIoverandIherav
nessoIcororeaIdesIre.WIIhosIsonIryLahBadusuIIIcerIormanceoI
nudIIy,eroIIchoIorahy(IncIudInCarrIeMaeWeemssInIIIIedIrom
KIIchenTaIIeSerIes,:g8ggo),anddIscussIonoIIheconceIoIhoIaes
(BenIna),PreIIyManoIIaIsanarchIveoIIheossIIIIIIyoIIeasure,IuIII
Ismore:IIIsIhedeIIIeraIeroducIIonoIaqueer,IIacL,vIsIIIe,andvocaI
sexuaIIIy.PreIIyManoIIaasLsIhequesIIon,WhaIvouIdIImeanIomaLe
vIsIIIesomeoIIheeroIIcImaes,reIerencesandconceIsoIIIacLIemInIsI
orqueerdesIre,asemIodIedanderIormed,asImaInedandreaIIzedIn
IherocessoIasLInIhIsquesIIonandoIhervarIaIIons,IndozensoIosIs
andreosIs,IheansverIecomesIoIhaarenIandevasIve,oIvIousand
InvIsIIIe,aaInandaaIn.
Practice Makes Perfect
The rocess oI deIermInIn vheIher or noI a rojecI counIs
vIIhIn Ihe ruIrIc oI dIIIaI humanIIIes Is a caIcuIus oI deIermInIn Ihe
scoe, IooIs, ouIcomes, InvesImenIs, and InIenIIons. BuI vhaI counIs as a
rojecIIsIIadocumenIedmeIhodoIoyoranaroachIoaseIoIoIjecIs
Is II conIInenI on havIn a Ieam oI InIerdIscIIInary schoIars vorLIn
IoeIherIsIIhavInaseIoIoaIs,orIhaIneoIIIeraIromIseoIIhedeIIv
eraIIeIsIIsomeIhInoIherIhanIndeendenIschoIarIyvrIIInIImany
oIIherojecIsInIhedIIIaIhumanIIIesareIuIIIonsoIImoneyranIs
IIedIosecIcdeveIomenIrojecIsraIherIhanaseIIsusIaInInoranI
zaIIonvhaI orIIn sIory oI DH vouId IncIude Ihe -AnII1emImas rojecI
WhaIhaensIIIheouIcomeIsarojecIvIIhacomIIcaIedreIaIIonshIIo
caIeorIesIILeusevaIueoraIIcaIIIIIyandhasnodeIIveraIIeIooer
oIherracIIIIonersWhaIhaensvhenIheouIcomeIsasusIaInaIIerac
IIce,asusIaInaIIeseIIInacademIa,aIIIeIIneIooIhersasavayoIImaInIn
aIuIureIoeIher
OneoIIhemosIrevaIenIdIchoIomIesInIhedIscussIonoIdIIIaI
humanIIIesasaeIdIsIheconIcIIeIveenhacLversusyacL.ThehacL
reIers Io Ihe conceI oI maLIn: IhIs mIhI IncIude deveIoIn a ame,
rIorIIIzInaedaoIcaIracIIceIhaIIncIudesIeachInsIudenIshovIo
deveIoaIooI,codInanarchIvaIrojecI,soIderIncIrcuIIsIoeIherIoran
arIInsIaIIaIIon,ordeveIoInanevIooIIorschoIarIyuIIIshIn.Theoo
sIIIonaIyacLIserhasmorereconIzaIIeIomosIhumanIIIesschoIars.II
reIersIoIheacIsoIIheorIzaIIonIyvrIIInorseaLIn,usuaIIyInsoIIIary
exercIses,oraIIImesonaconIerenceaneIorschoIarIycoIIaIoraIIon.
WhaIdoesIImeanIoIeahacLeroramaLervhenIherojecI
IsdeveIoInasaceIoryourovnacademIcvoIce,creaIInadIIIaIsace
vhere Ihe dIsjoInIed comonenIs oI seII can come IoeIher In IncoherenI
IrIIIIanceIIhacLIsIhenevIormuIaIIonIequeaIhedIoIhehumanIIIes
IromIheInnovaIIonoIIhedIIIaI,vhaIdoesIImeanIhaIto yackIssIIIIa
oIIIIcaImoveInmanyacademIcsaces,esecIaIIyvhenIheyacLerdoes
noIoccuyaosIIIonoIovervIIhInIheacademyWhaIdoesIImeanvhen
IheyackIsanacIoIhackInaIvenoIIIIcaIoracademIcseIIIn
In rearaIIon Ior Ihe aneI, 1ohnson osIed a IIo IhInLIn
aIouIsomeoIIhesequesIIonsandaIouIhovIoconIronIIheImIIcaIIons
andsecIcsoIconnecIInIheaIIereosvIIhherroIessIonaIIdenIIIy:
Im presenting with Fleshy Prof but Ill basically be playing myself
[...]. And the entire family is invited: Zora Walker, the Sable Fan
Gyrl, the voc Survival Kiteven Pretty Magnolias ne ass. This
little intellectual endeavor comes at a dicult time. Personally
and professionally, I am heavy, struggling to nd my voice and
stake my claim. Balancing, consolidating, and exposing the alters
will be like walking into a cold classroom lled with hostile, con-
descending adults and stripping down to a bright red thong. It
will be sexy, nerve-wracking, and vaguely reminiscent of slavery.
(Preparing)
1ohnsonresenIedherrojecIaIIheconIerence,IuIIherojecIIIseIIIsIhe
racIIceoIIuIIdInandIransIormInherovnInnIIeseIves.AsIhedeveI
oer,coder,creaIor,andInhaIIIanIoIIheIouraIIereos,1ohnsonexIaIns,
|T]he-AnII1emImasaremoreIhanarojecI.TheyareaIIIesIyIe|. . .]anda
survIvaIImeraIIve(PrearIn).IurIhermore,IIIsasIruIeIoresenI
aracIIce,noIjusIarojecI,andIIIsanonoInquesIIon.ShehasexerI
menIed vIIh resenI|In] a erIormance oI seII creaIed Ihrouh dIIIaI
sacesandeshyavaIars,IuIhovdoesoneIIIeraIIyracIIceIheracIIceIn
uIIIcTheracIIceIIseIIIsIherojecI:IheracIIceoIdocumenIInIhe
erIormanceoIherseII,oIImaInInaeneaIoIcaIconnecIIonIoarIsoI
herseII,oIromIsIndIIIaIaIIereosvhIIevaILInIhrouhIhevorIdas
IIeshyProI,oIdocumenIInIoIhIhedesIreandIheInaIIIIIyIoraunIed
seII:crueIoIImIsmrearsIIsheadaaIn.AndaaIn.
On MuthaFking Monsters and Patchwork Girls
TheseaIIereosmaLeossIIIeaIuIureImaInary,IuIIheyaIso
haveIheoIenIIaIIoreImaIneIheeIdIormaIIon.AIonvIIhIdenIIIyIn
IuIureaIIereos,IhIsexansIve,IransIormaIIvevIsIonoIdIIIaIhumanIIIes
exIendsIoreconIzIn(andIdenIIIyIn)aIIernaIIveeneaIoIes:IhemaLIn
andremaLInoIseII,communIIy,narraIIve,andhIsIorIes.TheaIIereosare
muIIIIeandconIaInmuIIIIudes,andIheIreneaIoIesarenoIresIrIcIedIo
aunIedIhread.ByIuInononeoIIhesesIrIns,IorexamIe,Iheenea
IoIcaIIradIIIonsoIIheMuIhaILInMonsIersandAIIerIosmIhIIeIraced
Io one oI Ihe mosI IormaIIve eIecIronIc hyerIexI sIorIes, PaIchvorL UIrI.
WrIIIenIn:ggIySheIIey1acLson,anexerImenIaI,IemInIsIauIhorarIIsI
hacLeryacLer,PaIchvorLUIrImoIIIIzedIhenonIInear,muIIImedIacaacI
IIesoIIheSIorysacesysIemIodeveIoacIIonaIvorIdIuIIoImuIIIIIcIIIes,
aIIereos,aIIerendIns,andaIIervorIds.PaIchvorLUIrIvasaaIchvorL
oIIradIIIonsIromzInes,chooseyourovnadvenIuresIorIes,earIycomuIer
ames, and IemInIsI sIoryIeIIIn. II vas arI manIIesIo and arI hovIo
manuaIIorIhedIIIaIrrrIoIIheIaIe:ggos.InsIredIyIranLensIeIn,Ihe
sIoryIeaIuredaIemaIemonsIerconsIrucIedandImaInedIyMarySheIIey,
andIheSIorysacesoIIvaremadeIIossIIIeIoremIxIIIeraryeneaIoIes,
IhesIorysnarraIIve,andIhereadersreIaIIonshIIoIheIexI,aIIhesame
IImeIuIIdInanddIssecIInIhePaIchvorLUIrI.1acLsonIayedvIIhIhese
dueIInIensIonsIeIveencreaIInanarraIIveandcreaIInherseII,IeIveen
auIhorInasIoryandvrIIInherseIIInIoIeIn:MyIIrIhIaLesIacemore
Ihanonce.InIheIeaoIaIyonemonsIer;IromamuddyhoIeIycorse
IIhI;underIheneedIe,andunderIheen.OrIIIooLIacenoIaIaII.BuIII
IhoeIoIeIIaoodsIory,ImusIIeaIroouIoIIhemuddIeoImyseveraI
IIrIhsIoIhedayIarIedIorIheIasIIImevIIhIheauIhoroImyIeIn,andseI
ouIIovrIIemyovndesIIny(1acLson,Patchwork).1acLsonaIsoIheorIzed
IheoveroIIInLs,IoIhhyerIexIandoIhervIse:IInLsverenoIsImIya
IuncIIonaIconnecIIon.IInLshaveanarraIIvearcandcanmaLearumenIs
IyIheIracIoIconnecIInoIhervIsedIsaraIeIIIsoIIexIsorImaes.Wecan
seeIhIshIsIoryIayInouIIodayInIhereIIoInandreosIInIradIIIons
onTumIIr,vhereIracInIheorIInsoIasnIeIoIIexIoroIanImaeIs
arIIaIIyvIsIIIe,arIIaIIyoIscure,andaIvaysIncomIeIe.TheacIoIcuraI
In reIIes on IhIs arumenI consIrucIed Iy Ihe IInLs IhemseIves. 1acLson
recaIIs: When I rsI sIarIed vrIIIn hyerIexI I dIscovered IhaI Ihe IInL
vas noI neuIraI, IuI vas IIseII a LInd oI arumenI, one IhaI I shouId noI
duIIcaIeInmyrose.IhadIoIearnIoaIIovIheIInLIomaLeoInIsIhaI
IvouIdIormerIyhaveseIIedouIInvords.InIhIssense,rorammInIs
noIjusIasuIsIraIeIuIanacIIvearIoIIhevrIIIn(1acLsonandBaIey).
WhaIhaensvhenveshIIIdIerenceavayIromadecIIIhaI
musIIemanaedandamended(vIIhnodsInIhedIrecIIonoIdIversIIy)and
IovardundersIandIndIerenceasouroeraIInsysIem,ourIhesIs,our
InsIraIIon, our oaI Irom IhIs ersecIIve, hIhIIhIIn Ihe Irave sIde
oIdIIIaIhumanIIIesIsnIanacIoIIransIormaIIveresoIuIIon,IuIIsaIouI
reIramInandreconIzInvhIchIInLsvereaIreadyIhereandvhIchIInLs
areyeIIoIemade.
rioNn\.vnvNr11 IsaPhDcandIdaIeInIheIIIeraIureProramandWomensSIudIesaIDuLe
InIversIIy,vheresheIscomIeIInherdIsserIaIIon,TurnInIheBodyInsIdeOuI.SheIs
aIsoIhedIrecIoroIIheuns1ncSchoIarsroramaIvvv.hasIac.or.
: Therearenumerousessayson
IhenoIIonoIIheIIIenIoI
dIIIaIhumanIIIes.IorasIarI,see
Svennson;andTerras.
z TherearemanyIIosandarIIcIes
onIhehacLvs.yacLquesIIon.
IorsomeorIenIaIIonIovardIhe
quesIIonsaIsIaLe,seeCecIre,
When;andKoh.
ThIsIasIquoIaIIonIsIrom1ohn
sonsunuIIIshednoIes,IovhIch
sheLIndIyaIIovedmeaccess.
Notes
AIvarado,BaIaeI.Are\oocsParIoIIheDIIIaIHumanIIIesThe Transducer(IIo).1an.
zo:.hII://Iransducer.onIoIIenI.com/=ggz.
BaIIey,MoyaZ.AIIIheDIIIaIHumanIsIsAreWhIIe,AIIIheNerdsAreMen,IuISomeoIIs
AreBrave.Journal of Digital Humanities :.:(WInIerzo::).hII://journaIoIdIIIaIhumanIIIes
.or/::/aIII hedIII aIhumanIsI sarevhIIeaIII henerdsaremenIuIsomeoIus
areIraveIymoyazIaIIey/(accessed::Nov.zo:).
BarneII,IIona(+uns1ncschoIars)..+ryancordeIIIdonIIhInLIheyreanIIDH.BrInInu
qsoIeIdIormaIIonIsnIexacIIyIhesameasIeInaaInsIIheeId,no1an.zo:,::::
a.m.TveeI.
(+uns1ncschoIars).IIshouIdroIaIIyIecIarIedIhaIsomeIImesIoILssay
DIIIaI HumanIIIes vhen Ihey mean Ihe dIscourse nvoi1 ou -mIa: -so. 1an. zo:,
:::a.m.TveeI.
CecIre,NaIaIIa(+naIaIIacesIre).:.DHersusuaIIydonIseedhasanacea.z.AdmInsoIIen
do..DHersoIIenneedIoradmInsIohaveIhIserroneousIeIIeI.-mIa:-so.1an.zo:,
:::a.m.TveeI.
.TacII.Works Cited(IIo).:oAu.zo:.hII://naIaIIacecIre.IIosoI.com/zo:
/o8/IacII.hImI.
.WhenDIIIaIHumanIIIesWasIn\oue.Journal of Digital Humanities:.:
(WInIer zo::). hII://journaIoIdIIIaIhumanIIIes.or/::/vhendIIIaIhumanIIIesvasIn
voueIynaIaIIacecIre/(accessedzOcI.zo:).
Chun, Wendy HuI Kyon. The DarL SIde oI Ihe DIIIaI HumanIIIesParI :. Center for st
Century Studies.g1an.zo:.hII://vvv.cz:uvm.com/zo:/o:/og/IhedarLsIdeoIIhedIIIaI
humanIIIesarI:/.
CordeII, Byan (+ryancordeII). I suose an anIIDH IacLIash vas InevIIaIIeIm jusI sad
IhaI some In Ihe acLed -mIa: -so mIhI IhInL Ihese are IaIr characIerIzaIIons. 1an.
zo:,::::a.m.TveeI.
UoIumIIa, DavId (+doIumIIa). Io eI here, musI say uns1nc noI DH BT +eeIemIeIon:
-mIa:-so+amandaIrench\oocsarenoIDHIoDHers.NeIIherIsOnIIneIearnIn.1an.
zo:,:::ga.m.TveeI.
HarrIs,KaIherIneD.(+IrIroIIrI).+amandaIrenchsIarIsvIIhIdIdnIreconIzeDHInvhaI
IheaneIvasdIscussIn-so-mIa:(ohsna!).1an.zo:,:::ba.m.TveeI.
1acLson,SheIIey.Patchwork Girl.WaIerIovn:IasIaIeSysIems,:gg.
1acLson,SheIIey,andBIIaBaIey.OIDoIIsandMonsIers:AnInIervIevvIIhSheIIey1acLson
IyBIIaBaIey.Iowa Review(WInIerzooz).hII://IovarevIev.uIova.edu/TIBW/TIBW_ArchIve
/IIrveI/IeaIure/jacLson/InIervIev.hImI(accessed::Nov.zo:).
1ohnson,1essIcaMarIe.AIouIIvannaIIveroducIIons.. . . iwannalive productions . . .(IIo).
zoMayzo::.hII://IvannaIIve.vordress.com/aIouIIvannaIIveroducIIons/.
.-AnII1emImas(orHovIoBuIIdaBeaIUyrIInIasySIes).The AntiJemima
Life(IIo).hII://nunezdauhIer.vordress.com/IvannaIIveroducIIons/(accessedzOcI.
zo:).
. Confessions of a Sable Fan Gyrl (IIo). hII://conIessIonsoIasaIIeIanyrI
.IumIIr.com(accessedzOcI.zo:).
.INeedIoWrIIe(IheAIouIPae).The AntiJemima Life(IIo).hII://nunez
dauhIer.vordress.com/aIouI/(accessedzOcI.zo:).
Works Cited
. IIs SaIIe Ian UyrI WeeL +NunezDauhIer. The AntiJemima Life (IIo).
:o 1une zo::. hII://nunezdauhIer.vordress.com/zo::/ob/:o/IIssaIIeIanyrIveeL
nunezdauhIer/.
.OnAIIerIosandInnIIeIIIeracIes,ParIz(An-AnII1emImasImeraIIve).
PaerresenIedaIIheAmerIcanSIudIesAssocIaIIonAnnuaIMeeIIn.San1uan,PuerIoBIco.
OcI.zo:z.
.PrearIn....The AntiJemima Life(IIo).:zNov.zo:z.hII://nunezdauhIer
.vordress.com/zo:z/::/o8/rearIn/.
.Pretty Magnolia(IIo).hII://reIIymanoIIa.IumIIr.com/(accessedzOcI.
zo:).
.ThenudIIyIIhInL....Pretty Magnolia(IIo).hII://reIIymanoIIa.IumIIr
.com/osI/gg/IhenudIIyIIhInLscaresIhenaIIonasavhoIe (accessed z OcI.
zo:).
.WhoCaresIIManyIaIInosAreBIacLZora Walker(IIo).:1uIyzo:z.hII://
IheycaIImezoravaILer.IumIIr.com/osI/zzgozzbzbb/vhocaresIImanyIaIInosareIIacL
juancrovIssIIII.
. Zora Walker (IIo). hII://IheycaIImezoravaILer.IumIIr.com/ (accessed z
OcI.zo:).
KIrschenIaum,MaIIhev(+mLIrschenIaum).+ryancordeIIIIsnoIIhaIIheyreunIaIr,er
se,jusIIareIyunconnecIedIomuchacIuaIacademIcracIIceoIDH.-so-mIa:.1an.
zo:,::::a.m.TveeI.
Koh, AdeIIne. More HacL, Iess YacL ModuIarIIy, Theory, and HaIIIus In Ihe DIIIaI
HumanIIIes. Adeline Koh (IIo). z: May zo:z. hII://vvv.adeIIneLoh.or/IIo/zo:z/o/z:
/morehacLIessyacLmoduIarIIyIheoryandhaIIIusInIhedIIIaIhumanIIIes/.
IoIhIan,AIexIs,andAmandaPhIIIIs.CanDIIIaIHumanIIIesMeanTransIormaIIveCrI
IIque Journal of e-Media Studies .: (zo:). hII://journaIs.darImouIh.edu/cIIIn/WeI
OIjecIs/1ournaIs.voa/xmIae//arIIcIe/z(accessed:o1unezo:).
McKenzIe, MIa. Her Body Is NoI Your PIayround: Why Ihe PhoIoshoed IrIda Nudes
Are NoI OLay. Zora Walker (IIo). z OcI. zo:z. hII://IheycaIImezoravaILer.IumIIr.com
/osI/:oz8b/herIodyIsnoIyourIayroundvhyIhehoIoshoed.
BenIna. Can You IxIaIn Io Me WhaI a Ho Tae Is New Model Minority (IIo). : OcI.
zo:.hII://nevmodeImInorIIy.com/zo:z/:o/:/canyouexIaInIomevhaIahoIaeIs/.
SedvIcL, Ive. PrIvIIee oI InLnovIn: DIderoIs The Nun. Tendencies. Durham: DuLe
i,:gg.z:.
Svennson,PaIrIcL.BeyondIheBITenI.Debates in the Digital Humanities.MInneaoIIs:
ioIMInnesoIa,zo:z.hII://dhdeIaIes.c.cuny.edu/deIaIes/IexI/zz(accessed:oOcI.zo:).
TemIeIon, IrIn (+eeIemIeIon). -mIa: -so +amandaIrench says I dIdnI reconIze a
IoIoIvhaIIreconIzeasDHInvhaI|IheseaLers]haveIaILedaIouIInIheaneI.1an.
zo:,:::ba.m.TveeI.
Terras,MeIIssa.PeerInInsIdeIheBITenI:DIIIaIHumanIIIesandIheCrIsIsoIIncIusIon.
Melissa Terras Blog (IIo). zb 1uIy zo::. hII://meIIssaIerras.IIosoI.com/zo::/o/eerIn
InsIdeIIIenIdIIIaI.hImI.
WIeman,BoIyn.Object Lessons.Durham:DuLei,zo:z.
\oIumez,NumIer: ooi:o.:z:/:oog:zzoo
onviocoLi\vin
Death of a Discipline
In Ihe decadeIus sInce Ihe emerence oI dIIIaI humanI
IIes(DH),vehaveheardareaIdeaIoIdIscussIonaIouIIhenaIureoIIhe
enIerrIse.IsecIaIIyvhenDHIsmenIIonedInIheconIexIoIIIIerarysIud
Ies,oneoIIhersIIhInsvehearIsIhequesIIon,WhaIisIITyIcaIIy,
resonsesIoIhIsquesIIonIaLevhaIhIsIorIansoIscIencecaIIanInIernaIIsI
ersecIIve:dIIIaIhumanIsIsresenIexamIesoIDHracIIceInorderIo
demonsIraIevhaIDHIsordoes.IIhInLIhIsIs,aIIeasIInarI,ansverIn
adIerenIquesIIonIromIheoneIeInasLed.WhenIIIsIenIoIhequesIIon
asLed Iy IIIerary schoIars, vhaI I hear Is: Hov dId IhIs racIIce Iecome
arIoIourroIessIonWhaIresemIIancedoesIIhaveIoIheresIoIvhaI
vedoWhydonIIundersIandIeIIervhaIIIIsandIssuosedIoIeWho
decIdedvhaIcounIsasdIIIaIIormydIscIIIne
TyIcaIIy, Ihese conversaIIons InvoIve many ersons sIronIy
IdenIIedvIIhDHandonIyaIevvhoarenoI,evenvhenIheyare,InIheory,
conversaIIonsaIouIIheroIessIonoIIIIeraryresearchIneneraI.IvasIhus
hearIenedIohearreorIsoIIheDarLSIdeoIIheDIIIaIHumanIIIesaneI
aIIhezo:\Ln,vhIchIeaIuredesIaIIIshedschoIarsoIIoIhIIIeraIureand
IhedIIIaIIorvhomdIIIaIhumanIsIIsnoIIhersIIaIeIIhaIcomesIo
mInd,andevenhaIerIoIeInvIIedIoconIrIIuIeIoIhIssecIaIIssueoIdif-
ferences,aIeadInjournaIInIIIerarysIudIesandcrIIIcaIIheoryandnoIDH.
WeIIIeraryschoIarsneedIoasLmoreexIIcIIIyIhanvehavesoIarvheIher
andhovDHIsaarIoIourdIscIIIne.MyoIservaIIonhasIonIeenIhaI
someDHersareevasIveaIouIIIsdenIIIonandoaIsandIhaIIhIsevasIve
nessIsarIoIvhaIrovoLesIheonoIndIscussIonoIIIsnaIure.DesIIeIIs
InsIsIenceonIeInonIyaseIoImeIhods,DHcanIeroducIIveIyundersIood
asaoIIIIcaIInIervenIIonvIIhInIIIerarysIudIes,oneoIvhoseIuncIIons
IsIochaIIeneIheauIhorIIyoInonDHIIIeraIureschoIarsreardInour
ovndIscIIIne,InarIIcuIarvIaaIendenIIousdeIoymenIoIIoIhIheIerms
digital and humanities. As used In Ihe name DH, digital Is a caIachresIs
IecauseIIdoesnoImeanIhesameIhInIhaIIhevorddigitaldoesInordI
nary dIscourse, IncIudIn IhaI oI nonDH IIIerary schoIars. Humanities
IsaIsoacaIachresIsIecauseIIresIsIsIhenecessaryIocaIIonoIschoIarIy
dIscoursesvIIhIndIscIIInes(IhaIIs,unIILeahraseIILeInIerdIscIIInary
sIudIes, humanitiessuesIsIhaIInIernaIdIvIsIonsIeIveenhumanIIIes
dIscIIInesaredIsensaIIe).MyanaIysIsIsdIrecIednoIaIDHerssomuch
asIIIsaIsocaIIednonDHIIIeraryschoIarsIhusIIaearsInavenueoI
vhIchveareIherImaryreadersIosuesI,rsI,IhaIschoIarsoIIIIeraIure
haveIoIhIherIhIandIheresonsIIIIIIyIodecIdevhaIconsIIIuIesnoIjusI
schoIarshIIuIoodschoIarshIInoureId(meanInoodresearchand
canonsoImeIhodasveIIasrImaryIexIs);second,IhaIIIIsIausIIIeIosee
DHasanaIIacLonrecIseIyIheserIhIsandresonsIIIIIIIes;and,naIIy
andesecIaIIy,IhaIIIIeraryschoIarsneednoIdeIerIoDHersvhendecIdIn
vhaIvorLquaIIesasarIoIourdIscIIIneandmeeIsourovndIscIIInary
sIandards.ThIsIsesecIaIIyImorIanIsIncesInIcanInumIersoIvery
acIIveDHershaveverydIsIanIreIaIIonshIsvIIhIheroIessIonaIvorIdsoI
IhehumanIIIesandoIIIIerarysIudIes.IorexamIe,andIhIsshouIdInno
vayIeconsIruedasacommenIonIheIrvaIueerse,IIIsoddIonoIeIhe
numIeroIIIIrarIansvho,IydInIoIIheIrarIIcIaIIonInDH,consIderII
arorIaIeIoexressverysIronoInIonsaIouIroIessIonaImaIIersIn
IIIeraryschoIarshI,esecIaIIysIandardsIorromoIIonandIenure,desIIe
IIIraryschooIsnoIasaruIeIeInInsIIIuIIonaIIyarIoIIhehumanIIIes.
ThequesIIonIamraIsInhereIsvhyroIessIonaIsvhoarenoI
humanIsIsshouIdIeenaedInseIIInsIandardsIorroIessIonaIhuman
IsIs. ThIs quesIIon In no vay denIes Ihe rIhI oI nev eIds Io Iorm or Ior
DHersIodoresearchasIheyIease;IhIsIsnoIacrIIIqueoIsIandaIoneDH
rorams. II does, hovever, raIse ImorIanI Issues oI IacuIIy overnance
158 Death of a Discipline
vhen nev dIscIIInes IaLe Ior IhemseIves Ihe same rImary IoIcs as do
exIsIIn eIds, and arIIcuIarIy vhen such nev dIscIIInes donI maLe
cIear IheIr reIaIIonshIs Io Ihe dIscIIIne(s) vIIh vhose oIjecIs oI sIudy
IheIrsoverIa.AndIIdoeschaIIeneIherIhIoIDHIosayIhaIIIeschevs
IhemeIhods,sIandards,andcrIIIcaIorIenIaIIonoIIIIeraryschoIarshIand
sImuIIaneousIyIodecIareIhaIIIsroducIsmusIIesancIIonedIyIhero
IessIonasIIIeraryschoIarshI.IIDHschoIarsvIshIoarIIcIaIeInIIIer
arysIudIes,IheyneedIoexressmuchmorecIearIyIheIrcommIImenIIo
exIsIInIormsoIschoIarIyracIIceandIheIrarumenIsIorrejecIInIhem
InIheIrovnracIIce.
TheadvenIoIDHvIIhInIIIerarysIudIesshouIdnoIIedecon
IexIuaIIzed, aIIhouh DH advocaIes rouIIneIy resIsI such conIexIuaIIza
IIon.TheIacIIsIhaIIhehumanIIIesacademyInIheInIIedSIaIeshasIeen
underaIIacLIromavIderaneoIconservaIIveoIIIIcaIIorcesIordecades,
arIIcuIarIyunderIheassumIIonIhaIIhehumanIIIesareuseIessorIaIIIo
IeachsLIIIsnecessaryIoremIoymenI.CuIIuraIschoIarsvhohaveIooLed
aIIhIssIIuaIIonconsIderIIInarIamarLoIIheInherenIresIsIanceIomar
LeIaIsoIuIIsmIoundInIhehumanIIIes;sIIesoIresIsIanceIosuchoIIIIcs
aredIsaearIn,andIIIsnosurrIseIhaIIhoseremaInInareIareIsoI
IncreasedoIIIIcaIacIIvIIyonanumIeroIIronIs.IIIsossIIIeIoIocaIeIn
IIIeraryInIerreIIve racIIce, IncIudIn IhaI oI Ihe Nev CrIIIcs and IheIr
hIIoIoIcaIredecessorsIILeIrIchAuerIachandIeoSIIzer,aeneraIIzed
eIhIcsoIIheencounIervIIhIheoIherInIanuaeIhaIInIerreIIvehumanI
IIesoer.WhIIeIheBIhIIILesIoaInIsucheIhIcsasInherenIIyIeIIIsI,a
more neuIraI examInaIIon suesIs Ihey are comaIIIIe vIIh aImosI any
conservaIIveorIIIeraIoIIIIcaIhIIosohyoIherIhanmarLeIaIsoIuIIsm.
Thus,anoIaIIeeecIoIIheadvenIoIDHvIIhInInIIshdearI
menIshasIeenIoIImIIsInIcanIIyIheresenceoIacIIvecrIIIcsoIexIsIIn
oIIIIcs,IncIudInIheoIIIIcsoIIhedIIIaI,vIIhInIhem.MosIjoIadverIIse
menIsandosIIIonsInInIIshIhaIIoreroundIhedIIIaIIoIIovIheDHIead
oIsIaIInIromIheouIseIareIerenceIorsLIIIIased,rojecIIasedracIIce
IhaIdoesnoIInherenIIyenaevIIhIheresIoIIIIerarysIudIes,andmuchoI
DHIIseIIIeInsIromaosIIIonoIIovInIheIechnoIoyIhaIIsmuchIess
dIsIancedIhanIheaIIIIudeschoIarsIyIcaIIyIaLeIovardIheIroIjecIsoI
sIudy,reardIessoIIheIraecIIveInvesImenIInIhem.InarIIhIsIsdueIo
IheunusuaIamounIoImoneyavaIIaIIeIoInIIshdearImenIsInIheIorm
oIDHIundIn(seeUoIumIIa,DenIIIons).ConcernaIouIIheadvenIoIDH
needIeIdenIIed,Ihen,noIvIIhIhedIrecIImIemenIaIIonoIaneoIIIeraI
oIIIIcs,IuIInsIeadvIIhIhedIsIacemenIoIacrIIIcaIhumanIIIesraxIs
vIIh one IhaI announces IIs resIsIance Io InIerreIaIIon and Io enaIn
vIIh vIrIuaIIy every canon oI exIsIIn InIerreIIve IhouhI. The quesIIon
IsnoIvheIhersuchracIIcesmayIevaIuaIIeInIheaIsIracI;IhequesIIon
IsvheIherIIIsoIIIIcaIIy,cuIIuraIIy,androIessIonaIIyandeIhIcaIIyvIse
here,nov,IoendorseIhemasIIIerarycrIIIcaIracIIces.
The Death of the Death of a Discipline
Inzoo,aIaImosIIhesamemomenIIhaIDHasaIaIeIvasIeIn
Iaunched(seeKIrschenIaum,WhaIIsDHandTacIIcaITerm),UayaIrI
ChaLravorIySIvaLuIIIshedasIImvoIumecaIIedDeath of a Discipline,
herenIryInIheserIesoIWeIIeLIIIraryIecIuresdeIIveredaIIheInIversIIy
oI CaIIIornIa, IrvIne. DesIIe a IIIIe IhaI mIhI Ie mIsIaLen as nIhIIIsIIc,
IheIooLIsanyIhInIuI.As1udIIhBuIIervrIIesInajacLeIIIurI,IheIooL
doesnoIIeIIusIhaIComaraIIveIIIeraIureIsaIanend.OnIheconIrary,
IIcharIsademandInandurenIIuIureIorIheeId,IayInouIIheImor
Iance oI Ihe encounIer vIIh area sIudIes and oerIn a radIcaIIy eIhIcaI
IramevorLIorIhearoachIosuIaIIernvrIIIn.IormeandmanyoImy
eers,SIvaLIsIhemosIImorIanIIIIeraryschoIaroIourIIme.ThevIsIon
shearIIcuIaIesInDeath of a DisciplineIsnoIjusIsIIrrInandhoeIuI,IuI
Inzoo,IIseemedemInenIIyIausIIIe,evenInevIIaIIe.
Inzo:,IIIshardIoreconsIrucIIhIsIrameoImInd.Death of a
Discipline descrIIes a IuIure IhaI may never arrIve and cerIaInIy seems
unIILeIy Io come any IIme soon. Death of a Discipline exIores hov area
sIudIesandcomaraIIveIIIeraIurehaveconsIrucIedresonsesIoIheend
oI Ihe CoId War and Io Ihe rIsIn IIde oI muIIIcuIIuraIIsm and cuIIuraI
sIudIes(:).ThevIsIonSIvaLsecIcaIIyarIIcuIaIesIsesecIaIIysensIIIve
IoIanuae:shesuesIsIhaIvevorLIomaLeIheIradIIIonaIIInuIsIIc
sohIsIIcaIIonoIComaraIIveIIIeraIuresuIemenIAreaSIudIesandIhaI
veneedIomoveIromAnIohony,Iusohony,TueIohony,Irancohony,
eIceIera,andInsIeadIaLeIheIanuaesoIIheSouIhernHemIshereas
acIIvecuIIuraImedIaraIherIhanasoIjecIsoIcuIIuraIsIudyIyIhesanc
IIonedInoranceoIIhemeIrooIIIanmIranI(g).AdecadeIaIer,noIonIyIs
IhaIrojecInoIreaIIzedIuI,IIanyIhIn,IIseemsIILeaconsIderaIIymore
dIsIanIoaIIhanIIdIdInzoo.IIIsIhIsdIsIanceIhaI,IomymInd,marLs
IheInuenceoIDH,muchmoreIhanIhesecIcrojecIsandmeIhodsIo
vhIchDHIyIcaIIyoInIsIoexIaInIIseII.DHasapoliticshasoverIaLen
(IhouhIynomeansdIsIaced)anoIher,IomymInd,muchmoreradIcaI
oIIIIcs, one IhaI romIsed a remarLaIIe, IhorouhoIn, and roducIIve
reconsIderaIIonoIIheIoundaIIonsoIschoIarIyresearchIuIIhaI,crucIaIIy,
emeredquIIedIrecIIyouIoIIheresearchracIIcesandroIocoIsIhaIhad
IeendeveIoInInIIIerarysIudIesunIIIIhen.IamnoInecessarIIyImIy
InadIrecIconnecIIonIeIveenIheadvenIoIDHandIhereIaIIvedecIIneoI
oIherrojecIs;IuIIamsuesIInIhaIveneedIoconsIderIheIhesIsIhaIIhe
rIseoIDHandIhenoIaIIeIaIIoIoIherrojecIsarenoIsImIycoIncIdenIaI.
ThaIIhereIsIensIonIeIveenDHandoIhermodesoIconIem
orary IIIerary sIudy Is easIIy seen on Ihe surIace; Ihese IensIons are noI
mereIynoIedIuIoIIenenouhendorsedIyDHersIhemseIves.IIsaSIro
vrIIesIhaIsomeDHvaIuesmaycIashvIIhIhenormsoIIheacademy(o).
DH reeaIedIy suesIs IhaI Ihe IuIIdIn oI comuIaIIonaI IooIs In IIseII
shouId quaIIIy as a reIacemenI Ior schoIarIy vrIIIn, a arIIcuIarIy odd
and comIaIIve cIaIm In InIIsh dearImenIs, esecIaIIy Iven IhaI eIds
vIIh dIrecI and exIensIve InvesImenI In dIIIaI IechnoIoy such as com
uIerscIenceandeIecIrIcaIenIneerIndemandvrIIIenresearchreorIs
InaddIIIonIodIIIaIrojecIs.YeISIehenBamsayandUeoreyBocLveII,
In DeveIoIn ThIns, advocaIe Ior Ihe reIacemenI oI vrIIIen schoIar
shIvIIhsuchrojecIs,asLInvheIherIuIIdInIsschoIarshI(8)and
ansverIn IhaI II Is. BuI Ihey sIdesIe Ihe secIc quesIIons I am raIsIn
here: Is IuIIdIn literary schoIarshI Why shouId ve literary schoIars
seeIIasarIoIourdIscIIIneHovdoesIIIuIIIIheIasIcoaIsoIliterary
schoIarshIOneneedonIyexamInerecenIIssuesoIProfession,rosIersoI
recenI\LnconvenIIons,andarIIcIesIILeMaIIhevKIrschenIaumsWhaI
IsDHandWhaIsIIDoInInInIIshDearImenIsIoseehovromInenI
crIIIquesoInearIyeveryasecIoIIIIerarysIudIesarevIIhInDHdIscourses.
DHrecommendsIhedemoIIonoIInIerreIIvecIosereadInasIhehaIImarL
oIIIIerarysIudy,esecIaIIyInIIsvIdesreaddeIoymenIoIdIsIanIread
In.BaIherIhanseeLInouIIhemarInaIIzedIanuaesoIIheSouIhern
HemIshereandeIsevhereandenaInIheIIIeraIureroducedIyIheIr
seaLers (see UoIumIIa, PosIcoIonIaI), DH has douIIed dovn on Ihe
InsIIIuIIonaIInvesImenIInIhevorIdsmajorIIyIanuaes(oIIenseemIn
noI even Io undersIand Ihe LInds oI roIIems SIvaL raIses aIouI Ihese);
In ImorIanI vays, II emIraces Ihe Idea IhaI IIIerary schoIars shouId Ie
monoIInuaI,aIIhouhIIsomeIImesascrIIesIhIsreIrenchmenIIodIIIaI
aordancesovervhIchIIcIaImsIohaveIIIIIeconIroI(seeIIormonIe).DH
IeIIsus,orshovsus,IhaIIIIeraryresearch,IoIhInIIsracIIceandevaIua
IIon,musIchane.DHsaysIhaIschoIarIyuIIIshInandeerrevIevmusI
chane, aruIn IhaI oIder Iorms oI schoIarshI vere IocLed vIIhIn an
IvoryIoverandIhaIIIsnevIormoIschoIarshIconsIIIuIesaLIndoIuIIIc
humanIIIes,aIIhouhauIIIcreIerenceIorcomuIaIIonaIIyInIensIveIexI
rocessInovercIosereadInoIIIIeraryIexIshasyeIIoIedemonsIraIed.
DesIIe a cerIaIn amounI oI coverae In mass medIa (vhIch IyIcaIIy
IncIudesaIIacLsonInIerreIIveracIIceunderIheruIrIcoIIheory),DH
rojecIsaearIoaIIracIveryIIIIIemassaIIenIIon,vhereasIhenumIeroI
uIIIcIIIeraryschoIarsvIIhsInIcanIaudIencesoverIheasIcenIury
IsmuchIarerIhanIhIsIormuIaIIonsuesIs.DHsaysIhaIIeachInmusI
chane,IoIhInIermsoIsuIjecImaIIerandIeachInmeIhod.DHdecIares
IhaI Ihe roIessIon IIseII musI chane, advocaIIn aIIernaIIve academIc
oraIIaccareers,arIIcuIarIyvIIhInIhedomaInoIIhe\Ln,vhIchunIII
veryrecenIIyvasunIversaIIyundersIoodasIheassocIaIIonoIroIessors
andarenIIceroIessorsoIIIIeraIure.
TheseersecIIvesonIheroIessIonreadIomeIessIILeSIv
aLIanreIIrIhIhanasanaIIacLonIhedIscIIIneoIIIIerarysIudIesIIseII.On
Iheonehand,DHIeIIsus,veIIIeraryschoIarshavenoIearnedIheexerIIse
IodecIdevhaIIsandIsnoIconsIIIuIIveoIoureId;manyoIusersIsIIn
vhaIDHderIdesasIradIIIonaIresearchracIIcesandouIdaIedmodeIs,
vhIIeIheresIoIIhevorId,IIIeIIsus,hasmovedon.OnIheoIherhand,DH
IeIIs us, Ihe racIIcaI LInds oI exerIIse DHers have acquIred Irum Ihe
sIudIedexerIIseoIPhDs:IhaIracIIcaIexerIIse,Iheysay,IsunassaIIaIIe
andIareIyunassessaIIeIyIheresIoIus,IuIIIenIIIIesDHersIoInsIrucI
usInProfessionandIheIIooshereandIhe\LnCommonsandeIsevhere
reardInvhaIdoesorvhaIshouIdcounIInourroIessIon.
AcomarIsonIhaIIsoIIenIroIIedouIInIheseconversaIIonsIs
IhaIIheadvenIoIDHIsjusIIILeIheadvenIoIIheory:IoIhresenIorIhoonaI
ersecIIvesvIIhreardIoexIsIInmeIhods;andIoIhresuIIInschoIarsand
sIudenIsaearInIovanIIoIeachandIosIudyIhInsverydIsIanIIrom
anyIhIn one vouId reconIze as IIIerary IexIs (see, e.., KIrschenIaum,
WhaI Is DH). YeI IhIs comarIson reveaIs more ImorIanI dIerences
IhanIIdoessImIIarIIIes.TheoryIecamearIoIIIIeraryschoIarshIandIhe
IeachInoIIIIeraIureIecauseareaInumIeroIresecIedIIIeraryschoIars
IeanenaInvIIhIIaImosIImmedIaIeIyandIecauseoIIhecIearconce
IuaIandInIeIIecIuaIconnecIIonsIeIveenIheIssuesraIsedIyIheseIheo
rIsIsandoIherconcernsoIIIIerarycrIIIcs.ByIhemId:gos,jusIadecade
aIIerDerrIdadeIIveredSIrucIure,SIn,andPIayInIheDIscourseoIIhe
HumanScIencesaI1ohnsHoLInsIn:gbb,romInenIschoIarsacrossIhe
counIryandIneveryerIodandenrevereeIIherenaInvIIhIheoryor
IncororaIInIheoreIIcaImeIhodsandIexIsdIrecIIyInIoIheIrovnsIudIes.
ThIsIsnoIIodenyInanyvayIhaIosIsIrucIuraIIsmvasconIroversIaIor
IoasserIIhaIaIIschoIarsemIracedII;IuIIheIacIIsIhaIverysoon,Iead
InschoIarsaImajorcoIIeesandunIversIIIesverevrIIInInoraIouIII,
IeachInII,readInII,andIhInLInaIouIII,andIhaIvorLsIyDerrIda,de
Man, SIvaL, and many oIhers Iean Io shov u In Ihe IIIIIorahIes oI
schoIarsvorLInIneveryerIodandenre.ThesamesImIycannoIIesaId
oIDH,arIIcuIarIyoIIherojecIsIIcIaImsareIIsmeIhodoIoIcaIhearI(see
IunenIeIdeIaI.),suchasIheeneraIIyveIIInIormedIoIcmodeIInrojecIs
oIAndrevUoIdsIone,1onaIhanUoodvIn,TedIndervood,andoIhers,or
IheSIanIordIIIeraryIaIsexerImenIsvIIhauIomaIedenrereconIIIon.
DesIIeIheradIcaIIsmoIsomeIormsoIIheory,IIaIsodIdnoIdIsmIssany
IhInIILeIhenumIeroIcoreroIessIonaIIeneIsoIIIIerarysIudIesIhaIDH
does.ThIsIsIoseaLonIyoIosIsIrucIuraIIsIIheory,aruaIIyIheIranch
IhaI mIhI aear Io ouIsIders as mosI dIsIanI Irom IradIIIonaI IIIerary
sIudIes;oIherIormsoIIheory,suchasIheBIrmInhamSchooI,IemInIsIand
AIrIcanAmerIcansIudIes,andoIhersveredeveIoedInIhersIIaceIn
arIIyromInenIIIIeraryschoIarsandImmedIaIeIyIncororaIedInIoIhe
racIIceoImanyoIhers.
YeIIoday,moreIhanadecadeouIIromvhaImosIacLnovIede
asIheorIInoIIheIermdigital humanities,IhenumIeroIromInenIIIIer
aryschoIarsvhooenIyenaevIIhIeIaIoneemIraceIIsmeIhodsand
assumIIonsasdIrecIarIsoIIIIerarysIudyIsvanIshInIysmaII.ManyoI
Ihe mosI romInenI DHers aear Io have IIIIIe InIeresI In IIIerary schoI
arshI as oIhers racIIce II; one oI Ihe IacIs IhaI deserves mosI susIaIned
aIIenIIon Irom IIIerary schoIars Is Ihe eneraI (Ihouh Iy no means unI
Iorm)IacLoIenaemenIvIIhnonDHIIIeraryschoIarshIInDHrojecIs.
ThemosIvIdeIyaIIended\LnIaILsIyIcaIIydonoIdIrecIIyenaevIIh
DH as a meIhod or vIIh ndIns Irom DH schoIarshI (aIIhouh Ihey do
vIIh IncreasIn Irequency dIscuss DH as a henomenon), and vhen Ihey
doenae,IIIsvIIhIhevrIIInsoIDHadvocaIes(suchasMaIIhevUoIds
DebatesvoIume,MaIIhevKIrschenIaumsMechanisms,andBamsaysRead-
ing Machines), vrIIIns IhaI sII In an uncomIorIaIIe dIscIIInary sace
IeIveen Ihe rojecIorIenIed meIhodoIoy DH cIaIms Io advance and Ihe
IradIIIonaI vrIIIen schoIarshI II cIaIms Io have suerseded. IurIher,
amon Ihe smaII numIer oI oIhervIse esIaIIIshed IIIerary schoIars vho
doenaevIIhDHschoIarshIand/orracIIceDHInoneIormoranoIher,
a sIzeaIIe numIer oenIy exress concern or hesIIaIIon aIouI II, eIIher
In IIs secIcs or as a eneraI movemenI. Perhas mosI ImorIanIIy and
mosI cIearIy, DH schoIarshI enaes IIIIIe II aI aII vIIh vorL consIdered
ImorIanIIyoIherIIIeraryschoIars.
Languages, Linguistics, and DH
Some oI Ihe IdeoIoIcaI veIhI aIIached Io Ihe resence oI DH
InIIIerarysIudIescanIemosIeasIIyseenIydravInacomarIsonvIIh
IInuIsIIcs.AmonaIIracIIcInIInuIsIsIhereIscIearareemenIaIouIIhe
eIdsmaInoIjecIoIsIudy,vhIchIshuman language.ToeIaPhDInIIn
uIsIIcs,asIudenIneedsIosIudyoneoranoIherasecIoIahumanIanuae;
ahuman languageherereIersIooneoIIheb,ooorsoIanuaessoLen
IyahumancommunIIyInIhevorIdIoday.PhDsIudenIsareexecIedIo
maLeIhemseIvesexerIInandIdeaIIyseaLersoIIhemaInIanuaeIhey
sIudyInresearch;IhaIresearchandIeachInvIIIIedevoIedIooneoIIhe
arIIcuIarIInuIsIIcssuIeIds,suchashoneIIcs,morhoIoy,orsynIax,
orcomuIaIIonaIIInuIsIIcs.
1usI as II has IhrouhouI our socIeIy, Ihe use oI comuIers In
IInuIsIIcsIsvIdesreadandhasIeenroIoundIyIransIormaIIonaI,aru
aIIy much more IhorouhIy Ihan II has Ieen In IIIerary sIudIes, IuI IhIs
has noI uIIed IInuIsIIcs avay Irom Ihe sIudy oI human Ianuaes or
InsIIIuIedamassIverejecIIonoIIhesIandards,rocedures,andauIhorIIy
oIIInuIsIIcsasadIscIIIne.IIvouIdmaLenosenseIoIaILoIdigital lin-
guistics In any IhorouhoIn vay Iecause Ihere Is aImosI no IInuIsIIcs
IhaIIsnoIdIIIaIIoday;dIIIaIIooIsarerequIredeveryvhereInIheeId,
someIImeshIhIIhIed,someIImesnoI.IInuIsIsvhoInsIsIonIhesIudy
oI human Ianuae are noI caIIed IradIIIonaI, and IheIr oIjecI oI sIudy
IsnoIcaIIedIradIIIonaI.AIIendInIInuIsIIcsconIerences,onedoesnoI
noIIcedramaIIcchanesInIoneandaecI(seeUrusIn)IeIveendIIIaI
andnondIIIaIIaILs.InIIreIynevsuIeIdsoIIInuIsIIcshavedeveIoed
IasedaImosIsoIeIyonuseoIIhecomuIerIheIroadcoIIecIIonoIsuIeIds
caIIedcomuIaIIonaIIInuIsIIcs,vhIchIsIIseIIcomrIsedoImorenarrov
suIeIds such as machIne IransIaIIon, naIuraI Ianuae rocessIn, and
corusIInuIsIIcsyeIIhereIsnosenseoIaruIureIeIveenIheseareas
and (vhaI Is noI caIIed IradIIIonaI) IInuIsIIcs; Ihere are even heavIIy
dIIIIzed suIeIds, esecIaIIy documenIary IInuIsIIcs, IhaI do noI o ouI
oIIheIrvayIoemhasIzeIheIruseoIdIIIaIIooIs.ThenamesoIIhesesuI
eIds,unIILeIhenamedigital humanities,cIearIyanddIrecIIysecIIyeach
areasmeIhodoIoIcaIImeraIIves.MajorjournaIsInIheeIduIIIshvorL
IyIInuIsIsvhomaLeexIensIveuseoIcomuIaIIonaImeIhodsaIonsIde
IhosevhodonoI.NoncomuIaIIonaIIInuIsIsdonoIIhInLoIIhemseIves
asnondIIIaIanddonoIconIInuaIIyasL,vhaIcomuIaIIonaIIInuIsIIcs
ismuch as, I IhInL, IIIerary schoIars vouId noI asL vhaI comuIaIIonaI
IIIerarysIudIesIshadDHchosenIorIIseIIIhIsIarmoredescrIIIveIuIIess
IdeoIoIcaIIyeecIIvename.ComuIersaremorevIdeIyusedandoImore
cIearuIIIIIyvIIhInIInuIsIIcsIhanIheyareInIIIerarysIudIes,andyeIIhe
eIdhasnoIexerIencedIheadvenIoIIhoseIooIsasadIrecIchaIIeneIo
anyoIIIsIundamenIaIsIandardsorrocedures.(OIcourse,comuIersraIse
meIhodoIoIcaIandIheoreIIcaIquesIIons,IuIIheseareIroadIydIscussed
IhrouhouIIheeId,noIjusIamoneoIevhoIuIIdorcode.)YeIInIIIer
arysIudIes,vhereIhereIevanceoIanaIyIIcaIcomuIaIIonaIIooIsremaIns
uncIearouIsIdeoIaveryIImIIeddomaIn,ourroIessIonaIjournaIs,veIsIIes,
andconIerencesareIuIIoIsIaIemenIsIoIheeecIIhaIIhedIscIIInemusI
chaneuIIerIydueIovhaIcomuIersmaLeossIIIe,or,InaIesshoeIuI
andIesshumanIsIIcIone,vhaIcomuIersrequireoIus.ThereasonIorIhIs
dIerence, aruaIIy, Is jusI IhaI IInuIsIIcs as a dIscIIIne has noI Ieen a
hoIIedIorIheLIndsoIoIIIIcaIIyInecIedInIerreIIveracIIceIhaIdrIves
rIhIvInoosIIIon,andIhesIrenIhoIIhIsdIerenceIsanIndexoIIhe
IdeoIoIcaIressureIhaIInIormsDH.
IIIsvorIhreecIIn,InarIIecauseSIvaLandIdvardSaId
andoIherschoIarsemhasIzeIIsosIronIy,onIheInIuIIIonsandracIIces
oIDHvIIhreardIoIanuae.IsusecIanyonevhohasIeencIoseIoDH
IoranyIenIhoIIImehasheardIheLIndoIrequesIKIrschenIaumdescrIIes
InazoogarIIcIeInIheChronicle of Higher Education.
The English department where I teach, like most which oer the
doctorate, requires students to demonstrate prociency in at least
one foreign language. Should a graduate student be allowed to
substitute demonstrated prociency in a computer-programming
language instead? [...] [I]n my own case, almost a decade ago, I
was granted permission to use the computer language Perl in lieu
of prociency in the second of two languages that my department
required for the PhD. I successfully made the case that given my
interest in the digital humanities, this was far more practical
than revisiting my high-school Spanish. (Hello)
WhaIshouIdsIarIIeIInuIsIs,comuIerscIenIIsIs,andmosIIIIeraryschoI
ars(aIIeasIunIIIrecenIIy)IsIheuseoIIermsIILesubstituteandinsteadIn
IhIsassae,andmosIesecIaIIyIhaIIheyareusedvIIhnodIscussIonoI
vheIherIheyInvoLevaIIdoracceIeddIscIIInaryrIncIIes.TheIacIIsIhaI
rorammInlanguageshaveIhaInameIecauseearIydeveIoersadoIed
IIasameIahor;rIorIoIhaImomenIoIuraIIon,IheyvereusuaIIycaIIed
codes (WILIedIa) and vere vrIIIen eIIher In IormuIas resemIIIn ure
maIhemaIIcsornonIyhIcIormssuchashoIesInunchcards.Thevord
languagevasaIIedIoIhesecodesIorIvoreasons:rsI,IecausedeveIo
erssavIhevaIueoIIncIudInnaIuraIIanuaeIermsInnevhIherIeveI
codesIhaIcouIdIeusedIyavIderaneoIeoIevhoverenoImaIhema
IIcIansandenIneers;andsecond,IecauseIheIermlanguageImIIedIhaI
humanscouIduseIhecodesInaIamIIIarcommunIcaIIvesIyIe,andsoIhe
IermvasIhouhIIoIeIessInIImIdaIInIhancode.TheIacIIhaIasmaII
rouoIenIneersdecIdedIocaIIIhesecodesprogramming languagesdoes
noImaLeIhemInIoIhesameIhInashumanIanuaes,orvhaIhavecome
IoIecaIIednatural languages.IurIher,noschoIarInanyoIIhereIevanI
eIds endorses Ihe vIev IhaI rorammIn Ianuaes are, In any sense,
Ihe same IhIns as naIuraI Ianuaes. ProrammIn Ianuaes sImIy
IacLmanyoIIheessenIIaIquaIIIIesIyvhIchvedenenaIuraIIanuae
(IearnedInIormaIIyIychIIdrenIromaduIIsandeers;deveIoedsonIane
ousIy;rImarIIyorevenexcIusIveIysoLen,eIc.).Indeed,manycomuIer
scIencedocIoraIroramsconIInueIorequIreLnovIedeoIoneorIvoIor
eInIanuaesanddonoIaIIovrorammInIanuaesIoIesuIsIIIuIed
IornaIuraIIanuaes.YeI,desIIeIheIacLoIroundsIorIhesuIsIIIuIIon
IneIIhereIdoIschoIarshIIovhIchonemIhIIooLIorII(IInuIsIIcsIor
IhedenIIIonoIhumanIanuae,andcomuIerscIenceIorIhedenIIIon
oI rorammIn Ianuaes), some InIIsh roIessors have IaLen II uon
IhemseIvesIodecIareIhaIrorammInIanuaesare,IoraIIInIenIsand
uroses,IhesameIhInasnaIuraIIanuaesandIhaIsLIIIInIheIormer
IsareasonaIIesuIsIIIuIeIorsLIIIInIheIaIIer.
KIrschenIaum seems arIIy avare oI IhIs crux, asLIn, Was
IhaIanequIIaIIesuIsIIIuIIon,orvasIcomarInaIesandoranesHe
ansvers:
Knowledge of a foreign language is desirable so that a scholar
does not have to rely exclusively on existing translations and so
that the accuracy of others translations can be scrutinized. One
also learns something about the idiosyncrasies of the English
language in the process. A computer language will not replace
the comparativists need to know Spanish or French or German,
or the budding medievalists command of Latin and Greek. But
what about the student of contemporary literature interested in,
say, electronic poetry or the art of the novel in the information
age? Or the student interested in computer-assisted text analysis,
who may need to create specialized programs that dont yet exist?
For thesestudents, I believe prociency in a computer language
can fulll many of the same functionsaccessibility, self-reliance,
heightened critical awarenessas knowledge of a traditional
foreign language.
AsvIIhsomuchDHadvocacy,IhIsassaeorIraysasoIvIousIacI,vIIhouI
aIIrIIuIIon,ex nihiloreasonInIhaIdIrecIIyconIradIcIsIhevaymanyand
erhas mosI oIher schoIars undersIand a Iven seI oI IacIs, arumenIs,
andhIsIory.TherImaryreasonIoaInareadInLnovIedeoIaIoreIn
Ianuae Is Io ensure IhaI Ihe schoIar can and vIII read scholarship (noI
rImary IexIs) Irom cultures other than her or his own. The desIraIIIIIy
oI readIn rImary IexIs In Ihe orIInaI Ianuae, or scruIInIzIn oIhers
IransIaIIons, Is noI Ihe rounds Ior IhIs requIremenIvhIch Is oI course
IoundInvarIousdearImenIsoIIheunIversIIy.BeadInIIIeraIurerequIres
muchmoreadvancedsLIIIIhandoesrouhIyarsInschoIarshIInones
ovn eId In anoIher Ianuae; Ihe IaIIer Is recIseIy vhaI Ihe readIn
LnovIedeoIaIoreInIanuaeIssuosedIoranI.ThejusIIcaIIonIor
IhIsrequIremenIIsIodecreaseschoIarIyarochIaIIsmandIocomIaIIhe
IacIIeIendencyIoavoIdIooLInouIsIdeoneseIIandonesImmedIaIecohorI
IorconrmaIIonoIschoIarIyndIns;IIhasnoIhInIodovIIhIhedIrecI
need oI comaraIIvIsIs Io have exerIIse In Ihe Ianuaes oI Ihe cuIIures
IheysIudy.Indeed,IhaIexerIIseIssecIcIoonessecIaIIzaIIon,dIerenI
InrIncIIeIromIhedemandondocIoraIcandIdaIesnoIIoremaInIocLed
InIheonecuIIureIromvhIchIheyemere.
TheonIyeoIeIhaveeverheardcIaImIhaIIheIoreInIanuae
requIremenIexIsIsIoIosIerIheLIndsoIaccessIIIIIIy,seIIreIIance,|and]
heIhIenedcrIIIcaIavarenessmanIIesIedInIhemasIeryoIasInIero
rammInIanuaeareDHersIhemseIves,aruInIorIhIssuIsIIIuIIon.II
IsmoreIhanaIIIIronIcIhaIexacIIyIhevaIuesIundersIandIoInIormIhe
IoreInIanuaerequIremenIaredIrecIIyrejecIedInIhesuIsIIIuIIon,Ior
IIIshardevenIosuesIIhaIDHersvIIIoIhervIsenoIencounIerPerIorB
InIheIrschoIarIyvorL.IurIher,sIncesomeIormoIrorammInIsoIIen
saIdIoIeessenIIaIIoDH,andsIncemosIDHersareIamIIIarvIIhroram
mInIosomeexIenI,vhaIIsIeInsuIsIIIuIedIsaIormaIrequIremenIIodo
vhaIIsaIreadyexecIed,someIhInIhaIvIIIaImosIcerIaInIynoIrovIde
aschoIarIyencounIervIIhIhearumenIsoIIheoIher.MycIaImIsaIso
IuIeIy not IhaI DHers shouId Ie revenIed Irom or reIraIn Irom IearnIn
rorammInIanuaesasaarIoIIheIrraduaIesIudy;IIIsIhaIIhIsoaI
andIheIoreInIanuaerequIremenIhavenoIhInIodovIIheachoIher
and IhaI Ihe InsIsIence IhaI Ihey do IIseII reecIs IdeoIoIcaI and roIes
sIonaIcommIImenIsIhaIaredIrecIIyanIIIheIIcaIIoIIIeraryschoIarshIas
IIIsundersIoodIynearIyeveryoneouIsIdeoIDH.IIIsIhIsesIureandnoI
necessarIIy Ihe InsIIIuIIonaI quesIIon oI vheIher Ihe suIsIIIuIIon shouId
orshouIdnoIIeacceIedIhaIInIeresIsme.WhaIIhaveheardaaInand
aaInInIhosevhorecommendIherorammInIanuaesuIsIIIuIIonIs
adIsdaInIorIheexerIIseoIIIIeraryschoIars,IheIrrIhIandresonsIIII
IIyIodecIdeIheIrovnroIessIonaIsIandards,andaIurnInavayIroman
encounIervIIhIheoIherIhaISIvaLrIhIIyseesaIIheconceIuaIcoreoI
IIIerarysIudyasanInIerreIIve,humanIsIIcenIerrIse.
InDeath of a Discipline,SIvaLuIsaarIIcuIarandreeaIed
emhasIsonIanuaesIudyasahaIImarLoIIheexandedeIdoIIoIaI
IIIerarysIudIessheImaInesasasuccessorIoIherojecIsoIcomaraIIve
IIIeraIureandareasIudIes:IheroIIemvIIhacomIInaIIonoIIIhnIcSIud
IesandAreaSIudIes|IsIhaIII]IyassesIheIIIeraryandIheIInuIsIIc();
IheIoIcaIconsequencesoIourIooseIydeneddIscIIInevere,sureIy,Io
IncIudeIheoenendedossIIIIIIyoIsIudyInaIIIIIeraIures,vIIhIInuIs
IIcrIorandhIsIorIcaIsavvy();andmosIcrucIaIIy,shenoIesIhaIvorL
vIIhIhehIsIorIcaIIymInorIIIzedandosIracIzedeoIeoIIheUIoIaISouIh
IseneraIIyonIyossIIIevIIhIhecIass,hysIcaIIyIasedInIheUIoIaI
SouIh,IncreasInIyroducedIyIoIaIIzaIIon,IhaIIssucIenIIyouIoIIouch
vIIh Ihe IdIomaIIcIIy oI nonheemonIc Ianuaes (:o). AaIn and aaIn,
SIvaLreIurnsIoIhequesIIonoIIdIomaIIcIIy,noIInIhaIIoseaLersoIIhe
IamIIIarandheemonIcmeIrooIIIanIanuaes,IheIhousandsoImInor
IIyandendaneredIanuaesInIhevorIdareIooeasIIymIsundersIoodas
resIrIcIedcodes,sImIeIransIaIIonsoIconceIsvIIhouIconsequenceIrom
oneseIIInIoanoIher(muchasIheII. . .IhenconsIrucIorInoneroram
mInIanuaeIyIcaIIymeansIhesameIhInasIIsequIvaIenIInanoIher).
BaIher,SIvaLarues,IILeIheheemonIcIanuaes,allhumanIanuaes
areaImosIureIdIom,aIvaysrequIrInadeeaIIenIIonIoramaIIcsand
conIexIIoundersIandIheoIIenmuIIIIemeanInsoIanyuIIerance.ThIs
IsarIoIvhaImaLesIhemsodIcuIIIoIearn.AsveLnovonIyIooveII
Irom InIIsh, even Ihe dIcIIonary denIIIon oI a Ierm can Ie comIeIeIy
suIverIedInvhaIaearsIoIeasIraIhIIorvardsIaIemenI,andIearnIn
IoundersIandIhesedIerencesIaLesareaIdeaIoIIIme.IurIher,IhereIs
nosImIeIesIIhaIcanIeaIIedIochecLIheaccuracyoIanyarIIcuIar
IransIaIIon.ThIssIandsInsIarLconIrasIIoIheIIIeraInaIureoIroram
mInIanuaes,vhIchexIsIrImarIIyIoIeexecuIedIyIhecomuIer,Io
IereeaIedIyIesIedunIIIIheyvorLasdesIredvIaexecuIIon.
OnendsIheseconcernsechoedvIrIuaIIynovhereInDH.When
IheyareraIsed,asIorexamIeInIheUIoIaIOuIIooL::DIIIaIHumanIIIes
orDHPocorojecIs,IheyaeararumenIaIIveandchaIIenIn,andIhey
oIIenroducerImarIIydeIensIvereacIIonsIromIhosemosIsIronIyIdenII
edvIIhDH.WhenAIanIIuasLs,WhereIsCuIIuraICrIIIcIsmInDHor
1amIeSLyeBIancovrIIesIhaIDHersmusIserIousIyquesIIon,mayIeeven
InIerroaIe,IousecrIIIcaIIermInoIoy,ourroIesInIheIeIIImIzaIIonand
InsIIIuIIonaIIzaIIonoIcomuIaIIonaIanddIIIaImedIaInIhehumanIsIIc
nodesoIIheacademyandoIIIIeraIarIseducaIIonandnoIsImIydeIendIhe
IeIIImacy(oradvocaIeIorIheoIvIoussuremacy)oIcomuIaIIonaIrac
IIcesouIoIaressenIImenIIIedrIhIeousness(:oo),orvhenIredUIIIs
asLs,WhereIsIhecrIIIcIsmInDHorNaIaIIaCecIreoIservesIhaIdIIIaI
humanIIIeshasnoIdoneaoodjoIoIIheorIzIneIIher|IIsovn]dIscIIInary
shIIIorIIsoIIIIcaIImIIcaIIons,IheresuIIIsnoI,oraIIeasIhasnoIIeen
soIar,IheschoIarIyandoIIIIcaIInIerroaIIonIhaIIhesevrIIersrequesI.
InsIead,IheyaremeIvIIhmoreIILearudInadmIssIonIhaIIheremusIIe
someIhInIoIhIsIncreasInIyvIdesreadsenIImenI.BuIIhaIadmIssIonIs
soonreInIerreIedasIearoIorresIsIanceIoIhemachIne(McCarIy)andas
aIacLoIundersIandInonIhearIoInonDHers.ImIIcIIIy,andsomeIImes
evenexIIcIIIy,evenIhoseoIusvIIhIechnIcaIexerIIseareorIrayedas
InoranIandunreecIIveImedImenIs,desIIeIheIacIIhaIIIIssuchcrIIIcs,
noIDHadvocaIes,vhoareexIIcIIIyInvoLInourrIchIradIIIonoIreecIIon
andseIIcrIIIcaIInIerroaIIonasessenIIaIIoIIIerarysIudIes.
The Cyberlibertarian Humanities
IhaverecenIIyIeenrevIsIIInIheconceIoIcyIerIIIerIarIan
IsmasIIvasarIIcuIaIedIyBIchardBarIrooLandAndyCameron,PauIIna
BorsooL,andIandonWInnerInIheIaIe:ggosandearIyzooosandIhaIhas
morerecenIIyIeenemIracedIosomeexIenIIyIredTurner.TheLeyInsIhI
IosIeredIyIhIsIermIsIhaIIhemoveIhaITurnercaIIsIromcounIercuIIure
IocyIercuIIureIecomesamoveIromIeIIIorIhIandmoreInsIdIousIyand
dIsIurIInIy,avayoIcooIInIeIIImuIsesIorarIhIIsIoIIIIcsvIIhouI
adherenIsnecessarIIyevennoIIcInIheIransIIIon(andvhIIeIeavInsace
IorvIIeroomreardIncerIaInsocIaIIssues,suchasIhosereIaIedIorace,
ender,andcLv1rIhIs).AmonIhedIsIInuIshInIeaIuresoIIhIshacLer
eIhIc,noIedIySIevenIevyasearIyas:g8androducIIveIyundersIood
asacyIerIIIerIarIanIeIIeIsysIem,onenoIesrIncIIesIhaIhaveIecome
evenmoreronouncedIoday,IncIudInnoIjusIaIIInIormaIIonshouIdIe
Iree IuI aIso: access Io comuIers |. . .] shouId Ie unIImIIed and IoIaI;
mIsIrusIauIhorIIyromoIedecenIraIIzaIIon;|h]acLersshouIdIejuded
IyIheIrhacLIn,noIIouscrIIerIasuchasderees,ae,race,orosIIIon;
andcomuIerscanchaneyourIIIeIorIheIeIIer(Ievyz).Inmany
vays,IhIsseIoIcommIImenIs,esecIaIIyIheInsIsIenceIhaIIhenevIyseII
auIhorIzed are enIIIIed Io jude Ihe quaIIcaIIons oI Ihose vho acquIred
sLIIIsvIaIormaIIraInInandexerIence,denesvhaIIImeansIoIeaDHer,
andonessIaIusasareaIorInsIdeDHercanIemeasuredmuchmore
accuraIeIyIyonesadherenceIoIhesedomaIhanIyanyarIIcuIarrojecI
oraccomIIshmenI.WhaIIsmosIIrouIIInaIouIIhIsIeIIeIsysIemIsIhaI
IIIracLssoeasIIyvIIhIheexIIcIIIdeoIoyoIIhehardrIhIInIIsreard
oIaIIIormsoIInIerreIIvehumanIsIIceducaIIonasIheIhInIhaImusIIe
eIImInaIednoIjusIIromhIhereducaIIonIuIIromsocIeIyIneneraI.The
exerIsarenI.IormaIeducaIIonIsuseIess,esecIaIIyIIIIIsnIsLIIIand
careerIased. More doIn, Iess IaILIn. More sLIIIs, Iess reecIIon. More
hacL,IessyacL.IIIsnoIsImIyIhaIDHandcyIerIIIerIarIanIsmIooLIILe
symaIheIIc IedIeIIovs; II Is IhaI vhaI DH and IarrIhI crIIIcs oI hIher
educaIIon say aIouI oIher Iorms oI IIIerary sIudy Is IareIy IdenIIcaI, and
IheoInIsvhereIheydIvereareIhoseonvhIchIoomuchoIDHremaIns
sIIenI.TouIIIasaoInIedquesIIon:vhyshouIdIhesInIeremaInInsIIe
oI InIerreIIve humanIsIIc educaIIon suddenIy sIarI dIsaraIn vrIIIn,
IaILIn,readIn,andIhInLInasIhehaIImarLsoIanInIormedoIIs
ThIs emIrace oI cyIerIIIerIarIanIsm ermeaIes DH, and II Is
esecIaIIyromInenIamonIhosevhoresIsIoraIIoeIherrejecIcuIIuraI
crIIIcIsmasIIIsIyIcaIIyracIIcedIhrouhouIIheresIoIIIIerarysIudIes.
Thus,InaresonseIoIheDarLSIdeoIIheDIIIaIHumanIIIesaneIaIIhe
zo:\LnconvenIIon,andaIsoIoasIudenIIIoosIsuesIInahomoIoy
IeIveen DH and Ihe oIIIIcaI rIhI, MarL McDayIer vrIIes IhaI II Is noI
Irue IhaI DH Is reaIIy unIheorIzed. He oInIs Io edIIed voIumes such as
MaIIhev UoIds Debates in the Digital Humanities, DavId Berrys Under-
standing Digital Humanities,andPeIerIunenIeIdeIaI.sDigital_Humani-
ties as counIerexamIes, IuI he IaIIs Io remarL on Ihe IhIn quaIIIy oI Ihe
dIscussIonsoIIheoryandIheoreIIcaIroundInoIoIIIIcsInmuchoIIhe
UoId voIume and In Ihe enIIre IunenIeId voIume comared vIIh sImIIar
voIumesInoIherarIsoIIIIerarysIudIes.NeIIherdoesMcDayIermenIIon
IherecurrenIsIronoosIIIonIoexIsIInIIIerarysIudIesInIheIunenIeId
voIumeandInsomeoIIheconIrIIuIIonsIoUoIdsDebates.DHersareoIIen,
InmyvIev,IarIooIusyIeInenIhusIasIIcIoIaLeIheIImeouIIoexamIne
Ihe Iarer oIIIIcaI ImIIcaIIons oI Ihe IechnoIoy IhaI so enIhraIIs us,
McDayIer rIhIIy oIserves. In neIecIIn Io Ie noIsIer or more InsIsIenI
aIouIIheIdeoIoIcaIassumIIonsoIIheeId,hevrIIes,vehaveaIIoved
ourseIves Io Iecome, erhas, sIIenI arIners In IheIr endeavor. BuI II Is
noIaIIeIhaIhIssIronesIexamIesoIcrIIIcaIoIIIIcsInDHareeorIsIILe
IhoseoI-TransIormDHandAIanIIuInhIsWhereIsCuIIuraICrIIIcIsm
essay,vhIchhaveraIseddeIensIvehacLIesInIheDHvorIdroer.IquaIIy
noIaIIeIshovresIsIanIDHIsevenIoconsIderInIhenaIureoIIheIdeo
IoIcaI assumIIons McDayIer IdenIIes here IuI IhaI even he does noI
name.MyconIenIIonIsIhaIDHIsImIIcIIIyIorsomeoIIIsracIIonersand
exIIcIIIyIoroIhersareaIIzaIIonoIIhoseIdeoIoIcaIassumIIonsandIor
IhaIreasoncannoIIncororaIesusIaInedcrIIIcaIseIIanaIysIs.
OIarIIcuIarnoIeIsMcDayIersesIureIovardIheeIdsIdeo
IoIcaI reIerence Ior oen access and oen source, IIs eneraIIy coyIeII
IeanIns, Ior InsIance, as recIseIy Ihose vhIch mIhI undercuI |Ihe]
arumenIIhaIDHIsaconenIaIhomeIorconservaIIsm.ThesevaIuesare
rouIIneIyIrumeIedandIheserecommendaIIonsquoIeduncrIIIcaIIyInDH
IIIeraIurevIaIhevrIIInsoIIIIerIarIansandquasIIIIerIarIansIILeCIay
ShIrLy,1e1arvIs,SIeven1ohnson,DonTascoII,YochaIBenLIer,1Immy
WaIes, IrIc Baymond, and oIhers. These ures emere Irom and oIIen
exIIcIIIyemIracerIhIraIherIhanIeIIoIIIIcs.WhaIIsunIqueIoDHas
aIormoIIIIerarysIudIes(anddIerenIIromIheresenceoIconservaIIve
IacIIons vIIhIn IIIerary crIIIcIsm In Ihe asI) Is IhaI such rIhIIsI oIIIIcs
areadvancedasIIIheyaresomeIhIneIse,asIIIheyareIeIIorsomeIhIrd
LInd oI oIIIIcs made reaI Iy Ihe InIroducIIon oI nev IechnoIoy IuI noI
requIrInIheLIndoIdeIaIIedcrIIIcaIexIIcaIIonIovhIchIIIerarycrIIIcs
haveIecomeaccusIomed.TheaucIIyoIcIoseIheoreIIcaIdIscussIonoIIhese
oIIIIcs conIrIIuIes Io Ihe aearance oI DH as an aIIacL on, raIher Ihan
anemIraceoI,manyoIIheschoIarIymeIhodsandInsIhIsoIIIIerarysIud
Ies.ThIsroIIemIsreIIcaIedacrossmosIoIIhedeIaIesaIouIDHandIIs
oIIIIcs,andoneoIIhemosIdIshearIenInIacIsaIouIIIIsIhaIIhequaIIIyoI
IhedIscussIonIsveryoor:IIreaIIydoesseemIhaImanyoIIhemosIardenI
DHerssImIyhavenoIenaed(andcerIaInIydonoIconIInueIoenae,as
oIherIIIeraryschoIarsdo)LeyIexIsIyBuIIer,SIvaL,HenryIouIsUaIes,
HorIenseSIIIers,HeaIherIove,IaurenBerIanI,SIanneNaI,andsomany
oIhers. Thus, vhen ve IaIL aIouI race or politics or even postcoloniality,
vecannoIsusIaInanadvanceddIscussIonamonschoIarIycoIIeaues,IuI
InsIeadndourseIvesroInoverIasIcs.
Were Ihey more concerned vIIh Ihe roIIems oI IdeoIoy and
moreconscIousoIIIsIenacIIy,DHersmIhIseehovuncomIorIaIIycIoseIhe
docIrIneIheyadvocaIeIsIomanyoIIhemosIexIremeIdeoIoIcaIaIIacLs
onhIhereducaIIonmounIedIhevorIdoverIyIheoIIIIcaIrIhI.ThIsIs
vhaIIndsodIsIurIInaIouIcIaImsIILeIheoneIyTomScheInIeIdIIhaI
veareInaosIIheoreIIcaIaeandIhaIDHauursasunseIIorIdeoIoy,
asunrIseIormeIhodoIoy,asIIhumanIsIsInarIIcuIarshouIdacceIIhe
vIevIhaIIIIsossIIIeIorIhesunoIIdeoIoyIoseI,IormeIhodoIoy(ese
cIaIIyIhaIvhIchreIusesIheoreIIcaIreecIIon)IoescaeIdeoIoy,andIo
LnovveareInaIundamenIaIIynevcuIIuraIsIIuaIIonIhaIchaIIenes
ourIradIIIonaImeIhodsoIsIudyIncuIIure(HaII:z).SureIyIheonIyvay
IoLnov,esecIaIIyInaschoIarIysense,IhaIoursIIuaIIonIsIundamenIaIIy
nevIsIoundersIandasIsIIuaIIons;noIIosIarIIromIhaILnovIedeIs
IoacceIasIvenanIdeoIoyIhaIIsdeeIyImIIcaIedInourexIsIInoII
IIcsandoversIrucIures.ThoseoIusvhosIudyIdeoIoyasIIIuncIIons
IncuIIureLnovIhaIoneneednoIoverIIyemIracerIhIIsIoIIIIcsIosIn
on InadverIenIIy or unvIIIInIy Io IheIr eecIs; IhaI ones overI oIIIIcaI
commIImenIsmayIeIrreIevanIIoonesacIuaIracIIce,esecIaIIyIIone
sysIemaIIcaIIyreIusesIoInIerroaIeIhaIracIIce;IhaIIdeoIoyIuncIIons
arIIcuIarIysIronIyIhrouhvhaIIoucauIIcaIIedosIIIveover,aIIrac
IIonraIherIhancomuIsIon;andIhaIInsuchanaIIracIIvemodeIdeoIoy
canseIIoInIsoIvIevIhaIhaveIeenreacLaedsoasIoIooL,aIIeasI
onIhesurIace,asIIIheymeanoneIhInvhenInIacIIheymeananoIher.
TheseareInsIhIsIeanedoverdecadesInIheIesIschoIarshIvehaveoI
IIIeraIureandcuIIure.YeIvhenourDHconversaIIonsIeIn(seeKohand
BIsam,OenThread,IornumerousexamIes),onehasIoexIaIn,deIend,
dene, and suIsIanIIaIe osIIIons, schooIs oI IhouhI, and Ideas IhaI, In
anyoIherconversaIIonInIheeId,vouIdIeIaLenIoconsIIIuIemInImaI
IndIcaIIonsoIroIessIonaIcommIImenIIoIhedIscIIIne.
Crossing Borders
BeIurnInIoIhequesIIonIhaIconIronIsDHsooIIen:vhaIisII
WhaIIIIsmayIeInarIundersIoodasIhenameIorameansIyvhIcha
schooIoIIhouhIsIraIeIcaIIyoosedIoInIerreIaIIoncouIdvresIauIhor
IIy over IIIerary sIudIes, vhen IhIs couId noI Ie accomIIshed Ihrouh
Ihe usuaI means oI dIrecI, uIIIc, InIeIIecIuaI deIaIe. Thus, I aree vIIh
KIrschenIaumIhaIIhecaIachresIsInIheuseoIIheadjecIIvedigitalInIhe
DHnameIsIacIIcaI(DIIIaI);vherevedIer,hovever,IsInourassess
menIsoIIhenaIureoIIhesIraIeIcoaIsInIheservIceoIvhIchIhaIIacIIc
IsIeIndeIoyed.ThesIraIeyoIrovInDHIovhIchKIrschenIaum
reeaIedIyoInIscannoIIedeconIexIuaIIzedIromIhemanyoIhersocIaI
IorcesaIonsIdevhIchIIexIsIs,uIIInasIdeIheIacIIhaIsuchconIexIuaI
IzInIsaIundamenIaIarIoIIIIeraryInIerreIaIIon.Therevasnovay,Io
uIIIIIunIIy,IoconIronIdIrecIIyIhevorLoIschoIarssuchasSIvaL,SaId,
UaIes, Ive KosoIsLy SedvIcL, HomI BhaIha, and SIehen UreenIIaII Ior
meIhodoIoIcaI reemInence In IIIerary sIudIes Iy enaIn IheIr aru
menIsdIrecIIy;InsIead,anevIaIeIIorIIIerarysIudIesvasIaunched,one
desIned recIseIy Io aIIracI Ihose eoIe vho vouId nd Ihe revaIIIn
Iorm oI IIIerary sIudIes dIsIasIeIuI vIIhouI ever havIn Io asL vhy Ihey
mayhaveIeIIIhaIvay.Thus,arIncIIemoIIvaIIonIoIhIoradenIIIonoI
DHasrIvIIeInIhemosIunIILeIyracIIcesIorIIIeraryschoIarsaIy
InquanIIIaIIvemeIhodsIoIheInIerreIaIIonoIquaIIIaIIveIexIsandIor
IhereIusaIIoaIIovdIIIaIracIIcesIyoIherIIIeraryschoIarsIoIecIassed
as digital humanities can Ie IocaIed In IhIs eorI Io creaIe an ouIosI oI
IIIerarysIudIesvhereIhemajorIIyoIIIIeraryschoIarshaveIIIIIeorno
auIhorIIyorInuence.
ThIsIsnomerecavIIaIouIDH;IIIsIoasLvhy,moreIhanIen
yearsaIIerIIsadvenI,veconIInueIoIooLIorIransIormaIIveossIIIIIIIes
IoasuIdIscIIIneIhaIhashadIyIarmoremoneyand,aruaIIy,aIIeasIas
mucheorIuIInIoIIasanyoIherInnovaIIonInIIIerarysIudIesandyeIhas
roducedveryIevresuIIIhaIcanIeseenasInuenIIaIorIransIormaIIve
vIIhreardIoIheeIdasavhoIe.ThereIroradeIransIormaIIonIhave
descrIIed here Is noI an accIdenI IuI a rImary IuncIIon oI Ihe dIscourse
oIDH.BareIyhassomuchInLIeensIIIedandsomuchInIeresIdIrecIed
aI an enIerrIse IhaI noI onIy roduces so IIIIIe oI IasIIn vaIue IuI IIseII
consIanIIydIscardsIIsovnvorL,aIacIIIIyIcaIIyceIeIraIesraIherIhan
vorrIesover(seeNovvIsLIe).WeshouIdreecIonIheIacIIhaIoIIheIooIs
andmeIhodsDHIrumeIssoromInenIIy,IevarearIoIIhedIIIaIIooI
LIIoImosIIIIeraryschoIarsIoday,vhIIemanyvIdeIyuseddIIIaIIooIsIn
ourschoIarIyIooILII(s1ov,rrvo,UooIe,MIcrosoIIWord,Iheoro)donoI
emere Irom DH. Much oI DHs Inuence comes noI Irom such IooIs and
rojecIs,IuIIromIooLs,arIIcIes,IIoosIs,andosIIIonsIaIemenIs,aIIoI
vhIchIooLmuchmoreIILeIradIIIonaIschoIarshIIhanIherheIorIcvouId
suesIandvhosereIaIIonshIIooIheronoInconversaIIonsInIIIerary
sIudIesIsoIIendIcuIIIosee.
ThIs essay has an overI oaI: Io suesI IhaI IIIerary schoIars
sIo deIerrIn Io DH Io dene IIs reIaIIonshI Io Ihe resI oI Ihe eId and
IhaIverejecIIIsreeaIedcIaImsIoaIechnoIoIcaIIyrIvIIeedauIhorIIy
overresearch,IeachIn,androIessIonaIsIandardsInIIIerarysIudIes.We
shouIdevenrejecIIhecIaIm,veryoIIenunIounded,IhaIDHersundersIand
IechnoIoy In a vay IhaI nonDHers do noI. We shouId quesIIon more
rIorousIy Ihe roIe and IuncIIon oI Ihe DH name vIIh reard Io Ihe resI
oIhIhereducaIIonInIhehumanIIIes.ThIsIsnoIIyanymeansIorejecI
DHasanenIerrIse,IhouhIconIInueIoIeIIeveIhaIIhenameshouIdIe
aIandonedInIavoroIonemorerecIseIydescrIIIveoIIIsmeIhodoIoIcaI
commIImenIs.IIIsIoInsIsIIhaIIIIeraryDHdemonsIraIeIIscaacIIyand
commIImenIIoconIrIIuIeIoIIIerarysIudIesasarojecIInIhehumanIIIes,
cIarIIyIIsreIaIIonshIIoIhaIenIerrIseandesecIaIIyIoIheschoIarIyrac
IIcesIhaIdeneII,oreIseoenIyrocIaImIIsrejecIIonoIIhoseracIIces
andIhusIIsdIsIanceIromIhedIscIIIneIIseII.MysusIcIonIsIhaImany,
roIaIIy mosI, DHers vIII oI Ior Ihe Iormer and Ie more Ihan hay Io
IIIumInaIe Ihe reIaIIon oI IheIr vorL Io Ihe resI oI IIIerary sIudIes. Those
vhodonoIvIII,Ihoe,conIInueIheIrschoIarIyvorLIuIvIIImaLemuch
cIearerIheIrdIsIanceIromIherojecIvecaIIIIIerarysIudIes.
I appreciate helpful comments on earlier versions of this material from Natalia Cecire, Suzanne
Daly, Chris Forster, Heather Froehlich, David Haeselin, Gabriel Hankins, Josh Honn, Brian
Lennon, Ellen Rooney, Scott Selisker, and audiences at George Mason University and Carnegie
Mellon University.
onviocoLi\vinIeachesInIheInIIshDearImenIandIheMedIa,ArI,andTexIPhDroram
aI\IrInIaCommonveaIIhInIversIIy.HeIsIheauIhoroIThe Cultural Logic of Computation
(HarvardInIversIIyPress,zoog)andmanyarIIcIesondIIIaIcuIIure,Ianuae,andIIIer
aryIheory.HehasmoreIhanadecadesexerIencevorLInasasoIIvaredeveIoerIorIhe
nancIaIInIormaIIonIndusIry,hasconIrIIuIedIonumerousDIIIaIHumanIIIesrojecIs,and
maInIaInsIhedIIIaIsIudIesIIouncomuIIn.or.HeIscurrenIIyvorLInonaIooLvIIh
IhevorLInIIIIeCyIerIIIerIarIanIsm:TheIaIsePromIseoIDIIIaIIreedom.
: SeeUoIumIIa,TvoDenIIIons
andDenIIIonsThaIMaIIer.
z IorIoIcmodeIIn,seeUoIdsIone
andIndervood;UoodvIn;Inder
vood.IorIheSIanIordIIIerary
IaIsauIomaIedenredIscovery
rojecI(vhIchIaIIedIodeveIo
aroIusIenouhIooIIoreachIIs
sIaIedoaI),seeAIIIson,Heuser,
1ocLers,MoreIII,andWIImore.
IoramorerecenIexamIe,IncIud
InresonsesIromDHers,see
WhIIIeI.
SeeUoIumIIa,Cultural Logic,ch.
,IoranexIendeddIscussIon.
Onex nihiloreasonInasa
symIomoIcomuIaIIonaIIsm
InDH,seemyCultural Logic of
Computation,:o:z.
b InaddIIIonIoDeath of a Dis-
cipline,seeSIvaLsAesthetic
Education.
SeeKoh,MoreHacL,andcom
menIsIoranexIendeddIscussIon
oIIhIsIroeandIIsroIeInDH.
8 SeeUoIumIIa,DenIIIons,
BuIIdIn,andGeschlecht.
g AnexceIIonIsBerrysCopy, Rip,
Burn.
Notes
:o See1uoIaIoranesecIaIIyreveaI
InaccounIoIIheIacLoIInuence
oIDHrojecIsoverIheresIoI
IIIerarysIudIes.
AIIIson,Sarah,ByanHeuser,MaIIhev1ocLers,IrancoMoreIII,andMIchaeIWIImore.uan
IIIaIIveIormaIIsm:AnIxerImenI.Stanford Literary Lab Pamphlet:(:1an.zo::).hII://
IIIIaI.sIanIord.edu/IIIeraryIaIPamhIeI:.dI.
Berry,DavIdM.Copy, Rip, Burn: The Politics of Copyleft and Open Source.Iondon:PIuIo,zoo8.
Berry,DavIdM.,ed.Understanding Digital Humanities.NevYorL:PaIrave,zo:z.
BIanco,1amIeSLye.ThIsDIIIaIHumanIIIesWhIchIsNoIOne.UoIdgb::z.
CecIre, NaIaIIa. When DIIIaI HumanIIIes Was In \oue. Journal of Digital Humanities
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voueIynaIaIIacecIre/(accessed:1uIyzo:).
IIormonIe,DomenIco.TovardsaCuIIuraICrIIIqueoIIheDIIIaIHumanIIIes.Historical
Social Research/Historische Sozialforschung.(zo:z):gb.
UIIIs,Ired.CrIIIcaIDIscourseInDIIIaIHumanIIIes.Journal of Digital Humanities:.:(WIn
Ier zo::). hII://journaIoIdIIIaIhumanIIIes.or/::/crIIIcaIdIscourseIndIIIaIhumanIIIes
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UoId,MaIIhev,ed.Debates in the Digital Humanities.MInneaoIIs:ioIMInnesoIa,zo:z.
UoIdsIone,Andrev,andTedIndervood.WhaICanToIcModeIsoI\LnTeachIsaIouI
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Iedundervood.com/zo:z/:z/:/vhaIcanIoIcmodeIsoImIaIeachusaIouIIhehIsIory
oIIIIeraryschoIarshI/.
UoIumIIa, DavId. BuIIdIn and (NoI) IsIn TooIs In DIIIaI HumanIIIes. Uncomputing
(IIo).IeI.zo:.hII://vvv.uncomuIIn.or/=zob.
.The Cultural Logic of Computation.CamIrIde:Harvardi,zoog.
. DenIIIons ThaI MaIIer (oI DIIIaI HumanIIIes). Uncomputing (IIo). z:
Mar.zo:.hII://vvv.uncomuIIn.or/=zo8.
. DIIIaI HumanIIIes: Tvo DenIIIons. Uncomputing (IIo). zo 1an. zo:.
hII://vvv.uncomuIIn.or/=zo.
. Geschlecht z.o: UenesIs, Uenus, and Uender oI Ihe DIIIaI HumanIIIes. In
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. PosIcoIonIaI SIudIes, DIIIaI HumanIIIes, and Ihe PoIIIIcs oI Ianuae.
Uncomputing(IIo).:Mayzo:.hII://vvv.uncomuIIn.or/=z:.
UoodvIn,1onaIhan.CreaIInToIcModeIsvIIhs1ovsDaIaIorBesearch(oIv).Jonathan
Goodwin(IIo).:Nov.zo:z.hII://vvv.joodvIn.neI/=:ob.
.ToIcModeIInSIns.Jonathan Goodwin(IIo).:zNov.zo:z.hII://vvv
.joodvIn.neI/=:o::.
UrusIn, BIchard. The DarL SIde oI Ihe DIIIaI HumanIIIesParI z. Paer resenIed aI
\Ln AnnuaI ConvenIIon. 1an. zo:. BosIon, \n. ParIIaI IranscrII aI hII://vvv.cz:uvm
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The Virtues of Critical Technical Practice
AIyIheIesIoIIrueandIaIseIoroI
IemsIhemseIves.CondemnIaIseroI
IemsandreconcIIeIruIhandcreaIIon
aIIheIeveIoIroIIems.
DeIeuze
ThIsarIIcIeIoIIovsseveraIcaIIsIorcuIIuraIcrIIIcIsmIoenIer
InIo Ihe shIIIIn and unsIaIIe eId oI Ihe dIIIaI humanIIIes, esecIaIIy
IhrouhenaemenIsvIIhsocIoIechnIcaIroIIemsIhaIcIrcuIaIeIncon
dIIIons oI InIormaIIonaIIsm or vhaI Iuc BoIIansLI and Ive ChIaeIIo
descrIIeasconnexIonIsIvorIdsvhererIordemandsIorauIhenIIcIIyand
auIonomyIhaIrsIcharacIerIzedcrIIIquesoImassconsumersocIeIIesare
assImIIaIedIyIhedeIoymenIoIneIvorLsandrhIzomorhousaradIms
oI caIIaI. Here, socIoIechnIcaI reIaIIons are IIed IoeIher or LnoIIed InIo
comosIIIonsIhaIIacIIIIaIecIrcuIIsoIaccumuIaIIon.AIanIIu,InarIIcuIar,
hasexIIcIIIyraIsedIhIsIssueIhrouhcaIIsIoconsIderhovdIIIaIhumanI
IIesmIhIIaLeonasIronerIeadershIroIeIorIhehumanIIIesaIIareIy
reecIInonIIsosIIIonInconIronIaIIonvIIhIhesereaIosIIndusIrIaI,
neoIIIeraI, cororaIIsI, and IoIaIIsI ovs oI InIormaIIoncumcaIIaI.
CurIousIy,InIhIsaeaI,nevmedIasIudIesIsImaInedasacorrecIIveIo
IhecomuIaIIonaIvorLassocIaIedvIIhdIIIaIhumanIIIesresearchroer.
IorIIu,IheamIIIIonIsIoeIevaIeadIaIoueamonrorammers,research
ers,IheorIsIs,hacLers,andarIIsIsvhenIIcomesIodeveIoInnevcrIIIcaI
meIhods and research sIandards In Ihe academy. ThIs arIIcIe reecIs on
such an ImaIned dIaIoue Iy eIaIoraIIn cerIaIn common dIcuIIIes oI
vorLInvIIhIechnIcaIsysIemsIromahumanIIIesIasedersecIIve.My
oaIInvoIvesdeveIoInsomesharedconceIuaIvocaIuIarIesIhaImIhI
assIsIvIIhIuIIdInouInevaroachesIoresearch,IeachIn,andschoI
arshI,evenIIaIIImesundersIoodandrasedInquIIedIerenIvays.In
arIIcuIar,IhIsesIureIsImaInedInIInevIIhacommIImenIIydIIIaI
humanIIIesschoIarsIodIscovernev,andaIsoveryoId,vaysIoIehuman
(HumanIIIes).AcenIraIasecIInvoIvessomecIarIcaIIonoIvhaIcultural
criticism mIhI mean Ior Ihe dIIIaI humanIIIes, esecIaIIy In Ihe hyIrId
Iorms exemIIed, Ior examIe, Iy CrIIIcaI ArI InsemIIes (cnr) readIn
oIIacIIcaImedIa,BrIanHoImessnoIIonoIreverse imagineering,or1uIIan
OIIver,UordanSavIc Ic ,andDanja\asIIIevsdemandIorIechnooIIIIcaI
IIIeracIesassIaIedInIheIrCritical Engineering Manifesto.InIhIsresecI,
I am esecIaIIy InIeresIed In rojecIs and IramevorLs IhaI cuIIIvaIe an
antipositivistorroIIemIasedencounIervIIhdIIIaIandneIvorLedro
cesses,asIanceIhaI,asIIIcharIIsI1onSaIromIronIcaIIyuIsII,romoIes
creaIIveroIIemcreaIIonsLIIIs.
One vay Io aroach IhIs, I vanI Io suesI, Is Ihrouh Ihe
vorL oI PhIII Are, an InsIrIn schoIar vho has vorLed exIensIveIy Io
deveIoIrIdesIeIveencomuIerscIenceandIhehumanIIIes.CenIraIIo
myreecIIonsIshIserceIvedneedIorcrIIIcaIIechnIcaIracIIce(c1).
The word critical here does not call for pessimism and destruc-
tion but rather for an expanded understanding of the conditions
and goals of technical work [...]. Instead of seeking foundations
it would embrace the impossibility of foundations, guiding itself
by a continually unfolding awareness of its own workings as a
historically specic practice [...]. It would accept that this reex-
ive inquiry places all of its concepts and methods at risk. And it
would regard this risk positively, not as a threat to rationality but
as the promise of a better way of doing things. (ComuIaIIon )
OrIInaIIydeveIoedInIheconIexIoIarIIcIaIInIeIIIenceresearch,c1
hassInceInuencedadIverseraneoIdIIIaIracIIIIonersIncIudInPauI
DourIsh,MaryIIanaan,UarneIHerIz,MIchaeIMaIeas,SImonPenny,War
renSacL,andPhoeIeSeners.c1,moreover,rovIdesavaIuaIIesIarIIn
oInIIorauInIheresearchconducIedaIIheInIersecIIonsoIcomuIaIIon
andIhehumanIIIesasIIcaIaIyzessecIcIormsoILnovIede.IorAre,Ihe
IdeaInvoIvesaLIndoIIaIancInacIInasInIedIscIIInaryeId:oneIooI
218 The Virtues of Critical Technical Practice
IanIedInIhecraIIvorLoIdesInandIheoIherIooIIanIedInIhereexIve
vorL oI crIIIque (Tovard ). Indeed, vIIhIn Ihe conIexI oI Ihe dIIIaI
humanIIIes,IheoIenIIaIsInIcanceoIAresvorLhasaIreadyIeennoIed;
hovever, In IhIs arIIcIe, I am Iess InvesIed In eIsIemoIoIcaIIy sound
meIhods and more concerned vIIh an exansIve undersIandIn oI vhaI
dIIIaIhumanIIIesmIhIIecome(BIederandBhI).Indeed,c1sdouIIe
acIoIcraIIandcrIIIqueInvIIesreecIIononIransIormaIIonsInsenseand
erceIIonIhaIoccurIhrouhasusensIonoImeansandendsacross
socIoIechnIcaIexerIence.ThIsaIreadycomIIcaIesvhaIcanonIyIeIaLen
asraIuIIouscIaImsIhaImeIhodandIheoryareInconruousIorIhevorL
oI Ihe dIIIaI humanIIIes (Cohan). The more radIcaI ImIIcaIIons oI c1,
moreover,InvoIvesomeconsIderaIIonoIhovIheIechnIcIIyoImedIaand
IhouhIcoemereIhrouhrojecIsIhaIInvesIIaIevIdesreaddIcuIIIes
InconnexIonIsIorreIIcuIaIedseIIIns(Anderson;IraIeIII).
II Is IeIIIn IhaI a Ley Inuence Ior c1 vas MIcheI IoucauIIs
reInIerroaIIonoImoderncrIIIqueorIheKanIIanaIIIIude(Are,Computa-
tionozandTovard).IIIsvorIhrecaIIInIhaIIoucauIIdescrIIedhIs
vorLasroIIemaIIcIzaIIon;IhaIIs,anacIoIIhouhIInvoIvInthe process
of dening a problem (PoIemIcs ::::g). ProIIemaIIzaIIon, accordInIy,
vas a rare, concerIed eorI rovoLed Iy cerIaIn dIcuIIIes IhaI arIse
IromoIIIIcaI,socIaI,andeconomIcrocesses.ThesedIcuIIIessomeIImes
moIIIIzeIhouhIIyInIerruIInIIsconsIsIency;IheyrovoLemuIIIIaceIed
resonsesIhaIIoeIherreosIIIheconsIIIuIIveconIexIoIIheroIIemaIIc.
Inder such condIIIons, IhouhI, Ior IoucauII, Is IhaI vhIch aIIovs one Io
sIeIacLIromconducI,IoresenIconducIas an object of thought andIo
quesIIonIIsmeanIn,oaIs,andcondIIIons:|T]houhIIsIreedomInreIa
IIonIovhaIonedoes,IhemoIIonIyvhIchonedeIachesIromII,esIaIIIshes
IIasanoIjecI,andreecIsonIIasaroIIem(::).TheacIoIIreeInu
conducIIsIheoIjecIoIIoucauIIsvorL,IuIaIsoIIsracIIce.ProIIemaIIza
IIons, In oIher vords, are careIuIIy souhI ouI In hIsIorIcaI archIves and
reosIIed In Ihe resenI. WheIher examInaIIons oI eIhIeenIhcenIury
resonsesIomenIaIIIInessorheaIIhordeIaIesoversexuaIeIhIcsInIhe
ancIenIHeIIenIsIIcerIod,Ioreachcase,|W]haIIsImorIanIIsvhaImaLes
IhemsImuIIaneousIyossIIIe:IIIsIheoInIInvhIchIheIrsImuIIaneIIyIs
rooIed;IIIsIhesoIIIhaIcannourIshIhemaIIInIheIrdIversIIyandsome
IImesInsIIeoIIheIrconIradIcIIons(Computation:88).ThIsreosIIInoI
roIIemsanacIoIIoIhdIscoveryandcreaIIonIIesaIIhecenIer,IvanI
IosuesI,oIAresconceIIonoIc1.
ThereexIsIsasIranedouIIInInreurInaroIIem,aesIure
oIdIerenIIaIIonIhaIcanIesecuredneIIherIyaseIoIIormaIoIIcIes,nor
consequenIIaIIsIcrIIerIa,IuIonIyInamovemenIIhaIraIesvIIhIIsovn
consIIIuIIon. In a veIILnovn IecIure, WhaI Is CrIIIque, IoucauII su
esIsIhaIIhIscrIIIcaIaIIIIudehIsIorIcaIIydeveIosIromIhehIhKanIIan
enIerrIse(to know knowledge)IoaneverydayoIemIcasovernmenIaI
IIy.InIhIsvay,crIIIcaIIIyIsanaIIIIudeInnaIeIomodernIIy:IIIsanacIoI
deanceIhaIdeIImIIsandIransIormsexIsIInarranemenIsoIover.In
IhIsconIexI,IoucauIIreIersIocrIIIqueasIhearIoInoIIeInoverned,or
IeIIerIhearIoInoIIeInovernedIILeIhaI,oraIIhaIcosI().Ixressed
asavIII,crIIIqueIsIhedeIerraIoIjudmenIIhaIdrIvesraxIsInIoadIrecI
conIronIaIIonvIIhresumIIons,deIermInanIs,andmoIIvesonIheIerraIn
oIover/LnovIede.IIovernmenIaIIzaIIonIs|. . .]IhIsmovemenIIhrouh
vhIchIndIvIduaIsaresuIjuaIedInIhereaIIIyoIasocIaIracIIceIhrouh
mechanIsmsoIoverIhaIadhereIoaIruIh,veII,Ihen!IvIIIsayIhaIcrI
IIqueIsIhemovemenIIyvhIchIhesuIjecIIveshImseIIIherIhIIoquesIIon
IruIhonIIseecIsoIoverandquesIIonoveronIIsdIscoursesoIIruIh
().BeurInroIIemsIyIheInIerruIIonoIhaIIIs,Iarue,exIsIsvIIhIn
anaIIeredraneoIacIIonsIoday,occurrInequaIIyIhrouhIhecaacIIyIo
susendanyrIhIvayoIenaInvIIhInIrasIrucIures,vheIhercommer
cIaIInIerIaces,IaIIormservIces,junLedhardvare,aImosherIcsensors,or
eoIaeddaIa.CrIIIqueIsaIvaysIormedvIIhInreexIsIIncIrcumsIances
andseIIInsIuIarIsesIhrouhvoIunIarydIsoIedIence.ThereIsconsIanI
rIsL,IhereIore,sIncecrIIIqueIsnovcauhIuvIIhdIcuIIIescarrIedaIon
IyInsecurIIyandrecarIousnessoIconnexIonIsIvorIds.NeverIheIess,as
1udIIhBuIIeroIserves,crIIIqueIsamomenIoIeIhIcaIquesIIonInvhIch
requIresIhaIveIreaLIhehaIIIsoIjudmenIInIavouroIarIsLIerracIIce
IhaI seeLs Io yIeId arIIsIry Irom consIraInI. II Is noI Iased on correcIIn
errors, IuI on Ihe vIrIue oI quesIIonIn Ihe exIIcaIIons Ihrouh vhIch
suchdIsIIncIIonsoIIrueandIaIsecohere.ThIssuesIs,IurIhermore,IhaI
modesoIcrIIIcaIIIymIhIIurnIoIhesIandardsandsoIuIIonsmaInIaInedIy
IechnIcaIoIjecIs,adeIs,roIocoIs,sensors,aIorIIhms,andoIherdIIIaI
IhIns.TosIrayIromIhesIraIeIcaIhIsvoIunIaryIuIonIyIoIheexIenI
IhaIdecIsIonsareenmeshedInacoaIIIIonoIaencIes;andInIhIsvay,ve
canIeInIoseaLoIc1InIermsoIaarIIcuIarcondIIIonaIImeraIIve:
|I]IyouvanIIosIruIe,herearesomeLeyoInIs,herearesomeIInesoI
Iorce, here are some consIrIcIIons and IIocLaes (IoucauII, Security :8).
OneoImysuesIIonsInIhIsarIIcIe,moreover,IsIhaIIhIssIruIeover
roIIems can Ie consIdered as marLIn ouI a domaIn oI IechnoIoIcaI
aesthetics,esecIaIIyIyemIracInIheImossIIIIIIyoIIoundaIIonsIound
InsusendedsocIoIechnIcaIcondIIIonsoIjudmenI.
The aIIeraIIon oI sense and erceIIon In c1 seaLs Io Ihe
cIassIc meanIn oI aisthesis, IuI nov exIIcIIIy dened Iy socIoIechnIcaI
evenIs. AesIheIIcs Is aIvays concerned vIIh Ihe uncIear, ImrecIse, or
darL asecIs oI masIery and exerIIse, IuI here II exIIcIIIy sIIIs InIo
heIeroeneous assemIIaes oI enuncIaIIon and medIaI condIIIons oI os
sIIIIIIy(MenLe).ThesemaIerIaIIIIeshaveImIIcaIIonsIorIhouhI.Indeed,
IheseareIheradIcaIchaIIenessuesIedInIheIransIIIonIromIhInLIn
oI dIIIaI medIa as mere InsIrumenIs Io reconIzIn Ihem as a mIIIeu oI
acIIon,vhaIIrIedrIchKIIIIerIamousIydescrIIesasneIvorLsoIIechnoIo
IesandInsIIIuIIonsIhaIaIIovaIvencuIIureIoseIecI,sIore,androcess
reIevanIdaIa(bg).BaIherIhannecessarIIydenoIInaneIImInaIIonoIIhe
modernsuIjecI,hovever,IhIscanoIenIIaIIyIereevaIuaIedasaoIIIIcaI
envIronmenI Ior socIaI IIIe IIseII (Hansen). ThaI Is, II aesIheIIcs Is osed
as Ihe unIhouhI oI IhouhI, Ihen IhIs movemenI Is InevIIaIIy IIed Io Ihe
maIerIaIIIIesoIconIIIveroducIIonandmanaemenIoIaecIIoday.
InIeresIInIy,IheseIdeascanIeIoundaIIhecenIeroIInnova
IIveresearchconducIedIhrouhIheuseoIdIIIaImeIhods.IorInsIance,
IheDIIIaIMeIhodsInIIIaIIve(o\i)IedIyBIchardBoersIsInIormedIya
varIeIyoIdeIaIesaroundmedIumsecIcIIyIhaIareuIIImaIeIyrooIedIn
quesIIonsoIaesIheIIcs,oIIIIcs,andonIoIoy.BoersusesanumIeroImedIa
IheorIsIsvhodravexIensIveIyIromexerImenIaIarIIsIIcracIIce,suchas
AIexanderUaIIovay,IevManovIch,andMaIIhevIuIIer,InhIsarumenIs
suorIInaIurnIomeIhodIoIhInIhesenseoIreIerredmeansoIsIudy
InarIIcuIarmedIa(audIenceresearchvIIhdIaryLeeInIn1vsIudIes,Ior
examIe)andInIhesenseoImeIhodsoIIhemedIum.o\iIsmaInIyInvesIed
In emIrIcaI vorL IhaI conIrIIuIes Io WeI eIsIemoIoy, Ihe noIIon oI
IoIIovIn Ihe medIum Io research InIormaIIon sysIemsIor InsIance, Ihe
vaysocIaIIIyandLnovIedeIshandIedonsocIaImedIaIaIIormsIhrouh
aIorIIhms, scrIIs, IracLers, or recommender devIces. CIaImed as IeIn
InIerconnecIed,IvodIsIIncIconceIsoImediumcenIraIIoIheIeacIesoI
aesIheIIcIheoryareunIedInIhIsmeIhodoIoIcaIaenda,oneIhaIarIses
In arIIsIIc IormaIIsm In Ihe sense oI a means Ior arIIsIIc exressIon and
anoIher IhaI rsI emeres Irom nIneIeenIhcenIury hysIcs as a carrIer
oI InIormaIIon (Cramer :z:). MedIa arIIsIs, crIIIcs, and curaIors sureIy
sIruIe vIIh and even IamenI Ihe conaIIon oI such IIneaes, esecIaIIy
asIhIshasexacerIaIedonoIndIvIdesIeIveenmedIaandconIemorary
arI vorIds (a muIuaI mIsreconIIIon IhaI curIousIy recaIIs deIaIes In Ihe
dIIIaI humanIIIes) (uaranIa). And yeI, IheIr ImIrIcaIIon aIso IacIIIIaIes
oorIunIIIesIorreIhInLInInherIIedcaIeorIesoIexerIenceInresenI
conuraIIonsoIdIIIaIandneIvorLedIechnoIoIes,IIonIyIoIheexIenI
IhaIIhesecondIIIonsareaIsoundersIoodasIIedIorevoIuIIonsandcrIses
InIhemodeoIroducIIon.
AsaroosaI,IheIurnIoaesIheIIcsasdescrIIedherecanseem
IILeaduIIousIhrovIacLInIheconIexIoIIhedIIIaIhumanIIIes.Indeed,
asIIorIanCramernoIes,IhenoIIonoIaesIheIIcsIncomuIerscIencemore
oIIen resemIIes an InIeresI In Ihe IeauIy oI erIecI IuncIIonaIIIy and an
arecIaIIonoIeIeancedravInIromPyIhaoreanandPIaIonIsIIdeasoI
IheIranscendenceoIIeauIyInmaIhemaIIcs,arIs(musIc)andcosmoIoy
(::b).AsazoneoIhIIosohydeaIInvIIhIheaccuIIuraIIonoIsensesand
erceIIon,moreover,aesIheIIcshashIsIorIcaIIyIeenmoIIIIzedInques
IIonaIIevaysIovarddIverserojecIsoIoIIIIcaIemancIaIIon.Thear
maIIonoIIheexcIudedInaesIheIIcIhouhIhas,moreover,IeenreuIarIy
dIsmIssedIorromoIInnormsIhaIacIuaIIyconceaIersIsIenIInequaIIIIes
andsereaIIons.AsBaymondWIIIIamsuIII,|T]heIormoIIhIsroIesI,
vIIhIndenIIesocIaIandhIsIorIcaIcondIIIons,IedaImosIInevIIaIIyIonev
LIndsoIrIvIIeedInsIrumenIaIIIyandsecIaIIzedcommodIIy,vhIIe,he
adds, Ihe humane resonse vas neverIheIess Ihere (::). Such aarenI
conIradIcIIonsInaesIheIIcIhInLInhave,neverIheIess,IecomeImorIanI
IoIcsInrecenIcuIIuraIIheory.ThevorLoI1acquesBancIere,InarIIcu
Iar,hasIeenLeyInexIorInanaIoIesIeIveenoIIIIcsandIheaesIheIIc
reImeoIarIrevaIenIsInceIheInIIhIenmenI(Politics).AesIheIIcs,InhIs
accounI,exIaInsaIundamenIaIconIusIonorIensIonIeIveenheIeronomy
and auIonomy (an emIoImenI), or Ihe InIeraIIon oI arI InIo everyday
IIIe and IIs IrreducIIIIIIy Io means/ends reIaIIons (Dissensus ::). Ior
BancIere, arI Is aIvays dened as someIhIn more Ihan IIseII, sInce aes
IheIIcsIuncIIonsasaIonceremovedIromIheoIIIIcaIandsImuIIaneousIy
IocaIedvIIhInIIsshereoIInuenceIyIoreverhoIdInouIIheossIIIIIIy
oIanoIhervorId.AesIheIIcs,IurIhermore,InvoIvesacaacIIyorvIIIInness
IoIhInLIhIsconIradIcIIonoIauIonomyandheIeronomy.WhIIecrIIIcaIoI
crIIIque,BancIererevIvesIheosIKanIIanrojecIoIaesIheIIcsasasus
ensIonoIjudmenIandLnovIedeandIhereIyreuresIheossIIIIIIIes
IoroIIIIcsInIhereconIIIonoIoIherarranemenIsoIsense.Here,oIIIIcs
andaesIheIIcsoverIaIndIsruIInexIsIInsIaIesoIsocIaIconsensusor
Ihe dIsIrIIuIIon oI Ihe sensIIIe. ThaI Is, Ihey InIersecI In IheIr muIuaI
devIaIIonIromIheorderoIIhIns,Indissensus,asreveIaIIonsoIaaIn
IhesensIIIeIIseII(8).
In my vIev, BancIeres vorL, aIon vIIh Ihe condemnaIIon oI
InsIrumenIaIIIy Iound In Ihe dIIIaI humanIIIes deIaIes, exIaIns some
IhInoIIhecenIraIIIyoIarIIorIheeIdoInevmedIa.BoIhImuIsescan
IereadasananIInomyIhaIIscenIraIIoIheImIrIcaIIonoIInnovaIIonand
economIcsIncurrenIsocIoIechnIcaIcondIIIons.Indeed,IheIaIIerresenIs
anumIeroIchaIIenInInIrIcacIes.InashorIessayWhaIMedIumCan
Mean,BancIereoessomevayIovardconsIderInIheImIIcaIIonsoIIhIs
IechnoIoIcaIIurnIoraesIheIIcs.Here,IheIermtechnologyIsdenedIy
muIIIIeIeaIures:IheaIIIIIyIoconducIsecIcoeraIIons;aeneraImodeI
oIraIIonaIIIyoranIzedIymeansandends;IhesuIsIIIuIIonoIhumanacIs
Iy an aaraIus; Ihe exIensIon oI Ihese oeraIIons Iy seIzIn Ihe aze,
hand, or IraIn; and Ihe IIved vorId IhaI uIIImaIeIy accomanIes Ihese
suIsIIIuIIons.ConcernedmaInIyvIIhhoIorahy,BancIereconIemIaIes
ImaesoIdIsusededIcesarIIcuIarIyWaILerIvanssImaeKIIchen
WaII,AIaIamaIarmsIead(:gb)andIranLBreuersdocumenIaIIonoIshI
InconIaIners(zoog)suesIInIhaIsuchvorLsareIormedIymuIIIIe
ssures In LnovIn IhaI sInIcanIIy comIIcaIe a sImIe InsIrumenIaI
modeIIorIechnIcaIIyroducedImaes.InIhesehoIos,IhecomosIIIonoI
IhevorL,asecIsoIorderanddIsorder,IheoIjecIIvIIyoIIheaaraIus,
andIheIssueoIIeInarIornoIareseIIooseInvaysIhaIInvoLeIhecIassIc
schemaIorKanIIanaesIheIIcsInaduaIsenseoIIheInIenIIonaIroducIIon
oIarIvhIchursuesanendandIhesensIIIeexerIenceoIIeauIyasnaI
IIyvIIhouIend(:).TheseexerImenIaIasecIs,InIeresIInIy,IoIIovIhe
IhemaIIcsIneachImaeoIIaIor,IooIs,andIechnoIoyIvenIheaIsence
oIadIscernIIIesuIjecI.
BancIereouIIInessomeoIIhesIaLesIorIechnoIoyandaesIheI
IcsIromIheersecIIveoIarIeecIsIvenIhemuIIIIIcaIIonoImedIa
IechnoIoIes.AsoosedIocIaImInIhaIarIremaInssovereInIydeIauII
orIsdIssoIvedInavorIdoIIechnoIoy,heroosesIhaIaesIheIIcsmIhI
aIIovIorIechnoIoyIoIecomeIndIerenIIaIedIhrouhanarIoIdespeci-
cation. ThaI Is, Ihe removaI oI IechnIcaI reIaIIons oI means/ends aIIovs
IoramIIIeuIodeveIooranIzedaccordInIonevInIersecIIonsIeIveen
arIsandIechnoIoIes,asveIIasIeIveenarIandvhaIIsnoIarI(WhaI
MedIumz).CerIaInIy,IromIhIsanIe,dIIIaIandneIvorLedIechnoIoIes
canIeenvIsIonedasmovInInIozonesoIneuIraIIzaIIonroerIoarI,IuI
vhaIdoesIhIsmeanvhenIaLenInverseIyInIheIermsoIscIence,enIneer
In,andIechnoIoyWhaIImIIcaIIonsarIseonceIheIoIcIyvhIcharIIs
readasjusIanoIherIechnIqueoIoIImIzaIIonIssusendedHovIsavorL
IornIrominfrastructureIhenreuredoncedeIachedIromIhedemandsIo
remaInosIIIvIsIIc,sIrIcIIyquanIIIaIIve,mechanIsIIc,reducIIveandIIIeraI
(DrucLer)ThesequesIIons,IvanIIosuesI,ImIyaoIIIIcsoIIechnoI
oyIyroosInIhaIdIssensusaIsoexIsIsInIhedomaInoItechne.TaLIn
accounIoIanaIoIesvIIhoIIIIcsmarLedouIIyBancIere,hovmIhIIhe
enIranceoIIechnoIoyInIoIheaesIheIIcIransIormcondIIIonsoIossIIIIIIy
IorvhaIhasaIreadyIeenesIaIIIshedasIhedIIIaIhumanIIIes
InIormaIIonaI IechnoIoIes are IyIcaIIy Ied Iy comeIIIIve
demandsIorroIIemsoIvInInIhemanaemenIoILnovIedevorL.Irom
daIadrIvenInsIhIsIoIusInesssoIuIIonsandroducIIvIIyas,soIIvare
IradesInanadmInIsIraIIonoIecIencyIhaIresIrucIuresexIsIInIehavIors
In comIex and oIIen roIound vays (Are, SurveIIIance). Procedures
oI oeraIIonaIIzaIIon and oIImIzaIIon are, In IhIs resecI, enmeshed In
overreIaIIons,sInceuIdInIheIormaIIonoIroIIemsmeansIeveraIn
evenIsIovardaseIoIsIraIeIcends.ToquoIe,IorexamIe,IromUooIes
hIIosohy:|I]IndInanansveronIheveIIsourroIIem,noIyours.We
IryIoanIIcIaIeneedsnoIyeIarIIcuIaIedIyourIoIaIaudIence,andmeeI
Ihem vIIh roducIs and servIces IhaI seI nev sIandards. ThIs IrequenI
commandeerInoIroIIemsIyInIormaIIonaIcororaIIonsIsnoIsomeIhIn
IhaI has one unnoIIced In uIIIc dIscourse; Ihe conIroversIaI Iech crIIIc
Iveny Morozov, Ior InsIance, has used Ihe Ierm solutionism (Iorroved
IromarchIIecIureandurIanIannIn)IodescrIIehovemoveredeeLs
IrequenIIycasIaIIcomIexsocIaIsIIuaIIonseIIherasneaIIydenedroI
IemsvIIhdenIIe,comuIaIIesoIuIIonsorasIransarenIandseIIevIdenI
rocesses IhaI can Ie easIIy oIImIzedII onIy Ihe rIhI aIorIIhms are
In Iace! (). OI course, oorIy undersIood IechnIcaI maIIers can easIIy
IeadIounInIendedorunanIIcIaIedouIcomes;yeI,amoreurenIconcern
undouIIedIy resIdes vIIh an overarchIn IoIc oI InIervenIIon vhereIy
IheorchesIraIIonoIdIsruIIonIIseIIdeIIverssInIcanIredIsIrIIuIIonsoI
over,veaIIh,andInuence.SuchdynamIcsarecenIraI,IorInsIance,Io
revaIIIneconomIcIhInLInIhaIosIIsIhemarLeIasavasIInIormaIIon
rocessorandIheonIyossIIIesoIuIIonIoroIIemseneraIedrecIseIyIy
IhemarLeIIIseII(MIrovsLI).Indeed,IncondIIIonsoIonoInecoIoIcaIand
nancIaIcrIsIs,aInInaccessIocoIIecIIveroIIemsIsarIoIasIruIeIo
arIIcuIaIeandoranIzeIhecommon.InconIrasIIocIaImsIoroennessas
anecessaryood,IIIserhasInIhesesheresoIacIIonIhaIIherIseoIIhe
dIIIaIhumanIIIesmIhIIemosIdramaIIcaIIyreIramedandreImaIned.
The exedIency oI c1, In IhIs resecI, can Ie arIIcuIaIed Iy
IurnInIoIIneaesoIanIIosIIIvIsIeIsIemoIoy.PrecedenIsexIsInoIonIy
InIhevorLoIIoucauII,asIhavesuesIed,IuIaIsoInaraneoIIhInLers
suchasHenrIBerson,UasIonBacheIard,UeoresCanuIIhem,andUIIIes
DeIeuze(DurIn).DescrIIedassueremIrIcIsm,IhIsmodeoIIhInLIn
arIsesIromhIIosohIcaIInvesIIaIIonsInIoIhehIsIoryoIscIenceandIscasI
aaInsImeIhodsvhereroIIemsareresumedasaIreadyIven,vhereIacIs
andIaIsehoodsareredeIermInedassuch.IorDeIeuze,IImovesIeyonda
sIIuaIIonvhere|I]hemasIerseIsaroIIem,ourIasLIsIosoIveII,andIhe
resuIIIsaccredIIedIrueorIaIseIyaoverIuIauIhorIIy.IIIsaIsoasocIaI
rejudIcevIIhIhevIsIIIeInIeresIoImaInIaInInusInanInIanIIIesIaIe,
vhIchcaIIsuonusIosoIveroIIemsIhaIcomeIromeIsevhere,consoI
InordIsIracIInusIyIeIIInusIhaIvehavevonsImIyIyIeInaIIeIo
resond:IheroIIemasoIsIacIeandIheresondenIasHercuIes(Dierence
:8).Here,LnovIedeIsuIIIIzedIodrIvemodesoIconIesIandaccumuIa
IIonvIIhouIaccessIohovIheseIssuesaredeIermIned,vIIhouIIherIhIIo
roIIemsor,moreexIIcIIIy,vIIhouIacaacIIyIoraroIIemaIIzaIIonoI
roIIems.SuchreasonInshouIdIeIamIIIar;hovever,IhIsersecIIvecan
IeroducIIveIyreImaInedIndIsIIncIIvevaysIhrouhnevmedIadevIces.
ThIsIncIudescomIexquesIIonsoImaIerIaIarIIcIaIIon,esecIaIIyasIhey
IransIorm Irames oI IechnoIoy, vhIIe enacIIn IooIoIcaI rendIIIons oI
socIoIechnIcaIroIIemaIIcs(Marres).OnemIhIconsIder,InIhIsresecI,
anImorIanIsIraInoImedIaarIsIhaIeoIaeddaIaandcaIurIndevIces
vIIh oIher Iyes oI sIIuaIed LnovIede. OI arIIcuIar reIevance Is IsIher
PoIaLs reecIIve use oI cs In documenIaryInsIred IocaIIve arIvorLs
IILe \iLx Project (zoo) and Nomadic\iLx (zo:o) In vays IhaI enmeshed
IoIhanecdoIaInarraIIonandIoIsIIcaIsuIychaIns,orIhedIsIocaIIve
vorL Border Bumping (zo:z) Iy 1uIIan OIIver IhaI recomoses exIsIIn
naIIonaI Iorders Iased on ceIIuIar InIrasIrucIures. Such rojecIs rovIde
sacesIoconsIderIheIooIoIesconsIsIenIIyInauuraIedIyInIormaIIonaI
domaInsoILnovIederoducIIon.InIhesecases,everydaysocIoIechnIcaI
arranemenIsareresenIedasaroIIemaIIcoIjecIIoIhouhI.
InIhIsresecI,c1canIeundersIoodasconnecIedIoanarray
oIeIhIcaIquandarIesIhaIarIseIhrouhdecIsIonmaLInandovernance
IneIsIemoIoIcaIreImes.AsSeanCuIIIInoIes,acenIraIIuncIIonoIIhe
humanIIIes has IradIIIonaIIy InvoIved raIsIn roIIems Io seeL ouI Ihe
exceIIonaIvIIhInIheIyIcaI.|I]IasLsvheIhervecanacceIIheexce
IIonevenoIoneInsIanceasIherIceoIourcommonassuranceoIsuccess;II
IesIsIhehaInessascrIIedIoIenecIarIesoIoIIcIesandLnovIede,na
InaIanyIooseIooIhorhannaII.IoreroundInIhedecIencIesoIro
ceduraIdescrIIIonsandeneraIIsIInquIry,CuIIIIhIhIIhIsIhesIrenIh
oIanecdoIaIevIdenceIosIIIheLnoIoIarchIvaIsysIems,aIIernsand
IheIyIcaI.InIhIsvay,IesIInadmInIsIraIIvemIndseIsInvoIvesacrIIIcaI
aIIIIudeIovardsIandardIzedaIsIracIIons.Indeed,IIshouIdIenoIedIhaI
evenonaIormaIIeveI,oeraIIonaIIzedmodeIInandIoIcaIrocessInoI
comuIaIIoneneraIeamIIuIIIes,aradoxes,andoIherexressIonsaIso
handIed as exceptions. As a researcher and arIIsI vorLIn recIseIy vIIh
suchIIIches,BosaMenLmannoIes,
I feel that many people have lost the ability to formulate ques-
tionsthis generation has become good at researching and nd-
ing answers or creating new datasets: in university, in the library,
or on google (the internet) we are conditioned to nd and
formulate answers [...]. Personally I think that one of the most
important roles of art is to create problems that provokecurios-
itythe impulse to investigate the limits of what we know and to
ask questions. (Debatty and Menkman)
SInIcanIIy, MenLmans vorL exIsIs In a IransdIscIIInary reIsIer and
IncororaIesdocumenIaIIon,crIIIcaImedIaIheory,curaIorIaIvorL,IIoIn,
daIavIsuaIIzaIIons,arIIsIIcerIormances,andIhecoIIaIoraIIvecreaIIonoI
IooIs.WorLInvIIhroIIemshereInvoIvesanexansIveseIoIresearchrI
orIIIesandInIuIIIons,oenInonIoavIdevarIeIyoIIechnIquesandsIyIes.
ThesedIerInaroachesarenoIaIvayscommensuraIIevIIheachoIher.
TaLenIoeIher,IheyrequIreanarecIaIIonoIIheIrInherenIIImIIs.
Indeed, Io enae vIIh roIIemaIIzaIIon enIaIIs some crIIIcaI
rendezvousvIIhIhearameIersoIovernance.IIIsaassaeIhaIrecaIIs
Ihe vorL oI Ihe InIIhIenmenI suIjecI, IuI more Ihrouh Ihe recovery oI
acIuaI IIved exerIences Ihan Ihrouh IranscendenIaI caIeorIes Ior aII
ossIIIeexerIence.SuchadIsIIncIIonIsessenIIaI,sInceIIacLnovIedes
hov IhouhI Is enIanIed vIIh Ihe hIsIorIcaI maIerIaIIIIes oI IechnIcaI
medIaIIon,aIonvIIhreconIzInIhesInuIarquaIIIIesoIIheaesIheIIc
In oIher vords, exerIencIn Ihe aIsIracIIon oI dIIIaI sysIems Ihrouh
encounIers IhaI dIsIurI Ihe IormaI unIversaIIIIes oI communIcaIIon and
exchane.ThIscanIeIIIusIraIedInIhevorLoIYoHa(UrahamHarvood
andMaIsuLoYoLoLojI),vhoseeIaIoraIeconIraIIonsareIuIIIasaIormoI
acIIon research InIo socIoIechnIcaI ensemIIes. ProjecIs such as Invisible
Airs(zo::)uIIIIzeoendaIaIromIheBrIsIoICIIyCouncII,IorInsIance,Io
drIve neumaIIc devIces IhaI maIerIaIIy enacI Ihe enIanIemenIs oI reIa
IIonaI daIaIases vIIh modes oI InsIIIuIIonaI over and Ihe exendIIure
oIresources.BooLsareIaIancedIhrouhdevIcesvIIhauIomaIedsIaI
IIn LnIIes, suduns are IrIered Iy arsIn exense accounIs, vhIIe
a rIdIn machIne joIIs councII ocIaIs accordIn Io secIc meIrIcs.
SImIIarIy,Endless War(zo:z),roducedvIIhMaIIhevIuIIer,exIoresIhe
AIhan War DIary daIaseI reIeased Iy WILIIeaLs as a roducI oI socIo
IechnIcaIsysIemsoImIIIIaryLnovIede.ComosedasanInsIaIIaIIon,Ihe
comuIaIIonaIassemIIaequerIesIheorIInaI:o8\vIeaIadeceIeraIed
raIeoveramonIhIonerIod,sIIIIInIheInIormaIIonrocessInacross
Ihree screens and sonIcaIIy amIIIyIn Ihe mechanIcaI oeraIIons oI Ihe
harddrIve.BycomosInmuIIIIeoInIsoIencounIer,IIexIoreshovIhe
eecIIveroceduresoIaIorIIhmIccaIcuIaIIonareIIedIoIheroaaIIonoI
sIandardhrases,jaron,acronyms,andoIherseIdescrIIorsIhaIIacIIIIaIe
IheIdenIIcaIIonoIaIIerns.InIhIsvay,noIesIuIIerandYoHa,Endless
WarshovshovIhevayvarIsIhouhIreIaIesIoIhevayIIIsIouhI.BoIh
areseenas,oIenIIaIIyendIess,comuIaIIonaIrocesses.TheaIorIIhmIc
ImaInary oI conIemorary over meshes vIIh Ihe dravn ouI IaIIure oI
ImerIaI advenIure (YoHa). The rojecI, IhereIore, dIerenIIaIIy recre
aIes Ihe machInery Ihrouh vhIch adequaIe LnovIede Is roduced and
ossessed.IorHarvood,IhIsmeIhodIsahysIcaIdIarammInmadeu
oIsIIuaIIons,eoIes,eorahIes,neIvorLs,IechnIcaIIIIesIhaIIrInIhe
hIsIorIcaI,socIaI,economIc,oIIIIcaIInIoroxImIIyvIIheachoIherIocre
aIeamomenIoIreecIIonandImaInIn.ThehysIcaIdIaramIecomes
anirritant;IydecouIInsocIoIechnIcaIensemIIesIromseemInIysIaIIe
conuraIIons,IIromIsandroeIsaconsIderaIIonoIhovIhInsmIhI
IeoIhervIse.
TheschemaIorroIIemIormaIIonIhaveIeendescrIIInuIII
maIeIy raIses a naI seI oI dIcuII quesIIons reardIn vheIher Ihere Is
anyIhIn radIcaI or oIIIIcaI aIouI Ihese crIIIcaI racIIces, esecIaIIy
vhen Iaced vIIh Ihe ceaseIess demand Ior InnovaIIon and ecacy In Ihe
currenIInIeIIecIuaIenvIronmenIoIdIIIaIhumanIIIes.InIhIsresecI,as
aroosaIIorconsIderInaesIheIIcs,IhecuIIIvaIIonoIanIIosIIIvIsIeIs
IemoIoIesIrInsaIouIIIsovndIIemmas.SuchexerIenIIaIreaIIIIescan
IeadIoasenseIhaIIhevIIaIIsIasecIoIroIIemcreaIIonvIIIonIyeveroer
a mInor rearranemenI oI exIsIIn condIIIons raIher Ihan Iound susIaIn
aIIeaIIernaIIvesIocurrenIroIIemsIoroIIIIcsInreIIcuIarcaIIaIIsm.As
TheodorAdornoonceuIII,commenIInonsIraInsoIrocessIasedonIoIo
Ies,|T]hedIaIecIIcaIsaIIvasvashedavayInanundIerenIIaIedIIdeoI
IIIe(8).ThIsIsaIamIIIarcrIIIcIsmInhIsIorIcaImaIerIaIIsIcIrcIes,sInce
rocessuaIsensesoIroIIemaIIzaIIonasanarmaIIonIsIaccounIurose
IuIIycomIIcaIesanyvIsIonoIanunexecIedoranIaonIsIIceruIIonoIIhe
IuIure.WhenIaLenasanInIervenIIonIsIsIance,sucharumenIsrecaIIIhe
noIIonoIIacIIcaImedIaasaeeIInevenIIhaIonIyeverreshuesaIready
exIsIInsocIooIIIIcaIcondIIIons.InIhIsresecI,asIhavenoIed,Ihejunc
IIonoIaesIheIIcsandoIIIIcsIsacomIIcaIedone;IromWaIIerBenjamIn
onvard,IheoIIIIcIzaIIonoIarIInvoIvInmedIaIechnoIoIesaearsasan
enImacauhIIeIveenmodaIIIIesoIauIonomyandsuIjuaIIon.
InreIaIIonIoIheseIroaderquesIIons,IorrorammerandarIIsI
DymIrIKIeIner,IheoIIIIcsoIarIIsIIcroIIemIormaIIoncanIedescrIIed
asroducInsocial ctions.AsoosedIoscIencecIIonvherehIsIorIcaI
chanes are ImaIned Ihrouh secuIaIIve IuIure IechnoIoIesIn socIaI
cIIon, Ihe IechnoIoIes aIready exIsI, IuI Ihe socIeIy Is secuIaIIve or
mIssIn. In oIher vords, ve have Ihe IechnoIoy, IuI ve IacL adequaIe
socIooIIIIcaIImaInarIes.AsKIeInerdemonsIraIesvIIhmIscommunIca
IIonIaIIormsroducedIyTeIeLommunIsIen,suchanaccounIIsIroadIy
suesIIveasacrIIIqueoIdIIIaIIechnoIoyIIseIIasrevoIuIIonary,raIsIn
quesIIonsoIvhaILIndoIInsIIIuIIonsvecurrenIIyrequIre.IIaIsorecaIIs
hov IensIons and conIcIs In aesIheIIc rojecIs ImIy a resoIuIIon IhaI
canonIyIeIrouhIaIouIIhrouhdeIermInedoranIzedchane.ThIsIs
recIseIyIheroIIemoIIheIranscendenIexercIse.IIseaLsIoIheover
oIarIIuIInIuIIIonsIordIIIaIhumanIIIes,redIrecIInaIIenIIonavayIrom
IaIseroIIemsIyhoIdInoenIhesocIaIoveroIdIerence,Ihearadox
oIsocIeIy,IhearIIcuIarvraIhoIIhesocIaIIdea(DeIeuze,Dierencezo8).
TheroIIemaIIchereIsaIvaysanuncerIaIndomaIn,sLeIchedouIIhrouh
IhedierentiatingdImensIonsoIsocIoIechnIcaIacIIonIIseII.NeverIheIess,
oneoImycenIraIcIaImshasIeenIheurenIneedIoranIIcIaIInhovIhIs
unIoIdsIhrouhInIrasIrucIuraIvorIds:hovIIvInIeInsarenoIonIyIndI
vIduaIed as human suIjecIs IuI consIIIuIed Ihrouh a moreIhanhuman
eIdoIIorces,IensIons,andIndIvIduaIIons.IIcrIIIcaIcondIIIonsare,Ihere
Iore,suesIIve,IheyresIdeacrossanarrayoIaencIesIhaIarIIcuIaIeasIIII
unIoIdInhIsIorIcaIrocess.CrIIIqueIorIhedIIIaIhumanIIIesIhusIaces
IhechaIIeneoIvorLInvIIhIhInsIyIorInassocIaIIvemIIIeusvhIIe
IheyyeIremaInvIIaI,roducIIve,andIenecIaIIoreveryenIIIyInvoIved
InIheIreIaIoraIIon.InmyaccounI,c1IrInsInIosenseanderceIIon
IhecarIorahyoIIhesecomIexIssues,vhIIeaesIheIIcsaIIovscommon
resourcesIoranexodusIromconnexIonIsIvorIds.
\icunrL oir1rv Is IecIurer In Nev MedIa aI Ihe InIversIIy oI AmsIerdam and AssocIaIe
BesearcheraIIheCenIreoIDIIIaICuIIuresIeuhana.HIscurrenIresearchInIeresIsIocuson
reIaIIonsoIarI,medIa,anddIIIaIuIIIshIn.HIsuIIIcaIIonshaveaearedInFibreculture
Journal,Ephemera,\/c,andIheAustralian Humanities Review.
HumanIIIes.MIssIon.hII://humanIIIes.or/mIssIon/(accessedNov.zo:).
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Are,PhIII.Computation and Human Experience.CamIrIde:CamIrIdei,:gg.
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ni.Bridging the Great Divide: Social Science, Technical Systems, and Cooperative Work.Id.
UeoeryBovLer,IesUasser,IeIhSIar,andBIIITurner.HIIIsdaIe:IrIIaum,:gg.:o.
Anderson, ChrIs. The Ind oI Theory: The DaIa DeIue MaLes ScIenIIc MeIhods OIso
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Iondon:\erso,zoo.
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Cramer,IIorIan.Anti-Media: Ephemera on Speculative Arts.BoIIerdam:naIo:o,zo:.
CrIIIcaIArIInsemIIe.Digital Resistance: Explorations in Tactical Media.NevYorL:AuIo
nomedIa,zoo:.
CuIIII, Sean. AnecdoIaI IvIdence. Nrcsis European Journal of Media Studies (SrIn
zo:).zMayzo:.hII://vvv.necsusejms.or/anecdoIaIevIdence/.
DeIaIIy,BeIne,andBosaMenLman.UIIIchMomenI/umsIromTechAccIdenIIoArIIsIIc
IxressIon.We Make Money Not Art(IIo).z1uIyzo:.hII://vemaLemoneynoIarI.com
/archIves/zo:/o/IIIchmomenIums.h.
DeIeuze,UIIIes.Dierence and Repetition.Trans.PauIPaIIon.NevYorL:ioICoIumIIa,:gg.
Digital Methods Initiative. hII://vvv.dIIIaImeIhods.neI/DIIIaImeIhods/WeIHome
(accessedNov.zo:).
DrucLer, 1ohanna. HumanIsIIc Theory and DIIIaI SchoIarshI. Debates in the Digital
Humanities.Id.MaIIhevK.UoId.MInneaoIIs:ioIMInnesoIa,zo:z.8g.
DurIn,IIIe.AHIsIoryoIProIIems:BersonandIheIrenchIIsIemoIoIcaITradIIIon.
Journal of the British Society for Phenomenology.:(1an.zoo):z.
IoucauII, MIcheI. PoIemIcs, PoIIIIcs, and ProIIemaIIcIzaIIons. Ethics: Subjectivity and
TruthEssential Works of Foucault, .\oI.:.Id.PauIBaIInov.Trans.IydIaDavIs.
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.Security, Territory, Population.Trans.UrahamBurcheII.BasInsIoLe:PaIrave
MacmIIIan,zoo.
.WhaIIsCrIIIqueThe Politics of Truth.Trans.IysaHochroIh.IosAneIes:
SemIoIexI(e),zoo.:8:.
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vImeo.com/b:zz(accessedoSeI.zo:).
\oIumez,NumIer: ooi:o.:z:/:oog:z:ggg
\n11urvxivscurNvni\
What Is Digital Humanities, and
Why Are They Saying Such Terrible Things about It?
I
InIhemIdsIoIIhezoog\LnConvenIIon,Chronicle of Higher
Education IIoer WIIIIam PannaacLer vroIe, AmId aII Ihe doom and
Ioom|. . .]oneeIdseemsIoIeaIIveandveII:IhedIIIaIhumanIIIes.More
IhanIhaI:AmonaIIIheconIendInsuIeIds,IhedIIIaIhumanIIIesseem
IILeIhersInexIIIIhInInaIonIIme,IecauseIheImIIcaIIonsoIdIIIaI
IechnoIoyaecIeveryeId.TvoyearsIaIerPannaacLerIIIIedhIs\Ln
Chronicle coIumn vIIh Ihe seemInIy unnecessary InIerroaIIve DIIIaI
HumanIIIesTrIumhanIBuIvouIdIhaImoreInIIIeveresoredIcIaIIe
asanacademIcdIaIecIIc:Inzo:,PannaacLersIynovanIIcIaIedconven
IIoncoveraecenIeredonTheDarLSIdeoIIheDIIIaIHumanIIIes,Ihe
secIaIsessIonevenIIromvhIchIhIsjournaIIssuederIves.
I vas noI a arIIcIanI on Ihe aneI, IuI I vas In Ihe crovded
IaIIroom aI Ihe BosIon SheraIon. The mood IeIorehand vas IesIIve, noI
conIenIIous.IveryonevasexecIInaoodshovIromIheAIIsIseaLers
assemIIed.IromsomevhereuIronIIhesIraInsoIIheSIarWarsImerIaI
March, made IInny Iy a IaIo seaLer, vere accomanIed Iy scaIIered
IauhIer.NoneIheIess,IheIssuesraIsedandIhecharesIeveIedvereoIIhe
mosI serIous order. BIchard UrusIn, vho had convened Ihe sessIon, IuIII
Iovard an arresIIn summaIIon: I vouId asserI IhaI II Is no coIncIdence
IhaIIhedIIIaIhumanIIIeshasemeredasIhenexIIIIhInaIIhesame
momenIIhaIIheneoIIIeraIIzaIIonandcororaIIzaIIonoIhIhereducaIIon
hasInIensIedInIhersIdecadesoIIheIvenIyrsIcenIury.
ThIsshorIessayIsnoIInIendedasadeIenseoIdIIIaIhumanI
IIes,noIIeasIIecauseIdonIIhInLIdIsareevIIhUrusIn,aIIeasIInsoIar
ashIsarIIcuIaIIonoIIheInsIIIuIIonaIenvIronmenIIhaIsurroundsdIIIaI
humanIIIes Is concerned. (I vorL In a unIversIIy Ioo, I have eyes, I have
ears.)YeInexIIIIhInorno,vhenIIcomesIodIIIaIhumanIIIesveare
sIIIIonIyeverIaILInaIouIsomeonesorseveraIsomeonesvorL,Iheerrors
andIImIIaIIonsoIvhIch,vhaIeverIheymayIeInIheIrarIIcuIars,shouId
requIrenosecIaIIorumoroccasIonIoraIrIn.SoIeImesayIIaIIheouIseI:
everyIhInroducedIydIIIaIhumanIIIesandIdomeaneverything,every
vrIIIen,scrIIed,coded,orIaIrIcaIedIhInInvhaIeverIIsuIseorIorm,
medIumorIormaI,mayIesuIjecIIocrIIIcIsmandcrIIIqueonIheIasIsoIIIs
meIhods,assumIIons,exressIons,andouIcomes.AIIoIIhaIIscomIeIeIy
normaIIveandarIoIIherouIIneconducIoIacademIcdIscIIInes.
YeIInIheIasIcouIeoIyearsevenIsIhaIarenoInormaIIveor
rouIInehaveoccurred,andIIIsIhoseevenIsIhaIveareaddressInvIIh
IhIssecIaIjournaIIssueandIhaIvereaddressedaIIhe\LnsecIaIses
sIon.TheseevenIs,IvouIdmaInIaIn,concernnoIIheaers,rojecIs,and
oIhermaIerIaIursuIIsoIdIIIaIhumanIIIesnoIIheIhInsoIIhedIIIaI
humanIIIesIuIraIherIheadvenIoIaconstructoIadIIIaIhumanIIIes.
IesI anyone IhInL I am IeInnIn vIIh a semanIIc sIIsIIde,
vhaIIhavejusIasserIedIsnoIonIyunconIroversIaI,IIIsaIsounorIInaI,
echoIn as II does sIaIemenIs Iy Ihe \Ln sessIons InvIIed arIIcIanIs.
WendyChun,IorexamIe,InsIsIed:But let me be clear, my critique is not
directed at DH per se.DHrojecIshaveexIendedandrenevedIhehumanI
IIesandreveaIedIhaIIheLIndsoIcrIIIcaIIhInLIn(cIoseIexIuaIanaIysIs)
IhaIIhehumanIIIeshaveaIvaysIeenenaedInIsandhasaIvaysIeen
cenIraIIocraIIInIechnoIoyandsocIeIy(emhasIsInorIInaI).ByIhIs
accounI,Ihen,DHrojecIshaveexIendedandrenevedIhehumanIIIes
andhaveaIsoheIedhIsIorIcIzeIIsacIIvIIIesInvaysChunndssaIuIary.
BIIaBaIey,meanvhIIe,commenIInaIIervardonIheresonseIoIheses
sIon(vhIchunIoIdedInreaIIImeonTvIIIer),IsevenmoredIrecI,noIIn:
|T]houhourroundIaIIereIerredInassInIoacIuaIIyexIsIInrojecIs,
coIIecIIves,andamesIhaIveIaLeIoIearmaIIveandInsIrIn,IhedII
IaIhumanIIIesunderanaIysIsvasadiscursive constructionand,IshouId
48 What Is Digital Humanities?
add, cIearIy noIed as such IhrouhouI (my emhasIs). WhaIever eIse ve
areIaILInaIouIInIhIssecIaIIssue,Ihen,vhaIevereIseIhe\LnsessIon
vasaddressInIIseIIIo,andvhaIevereIseIamenaInInmyconIrIIuIIon
here, II Is noI Ihe maIerIaI conducI oI dIIIaI humanIIIes or, II you reIer,
acIuaIIyexIsIInrojecIs,anesecIaIIycIarIIyInhraseIoLeeInmInd.
IIIs,InsIead,andsIIIIInBaIeysIerms,adIscursIveconsIrucIIon.
IhavevrIIIenaIouIIheexIsIenceoIsuchaconsIrucIIeIore,In
IvorevIousessaysIovhIchIhIs,Isuose,conIrIIuIesaIhIrdandnaI
enIry In an unanIIcIaIed IrIIoy. The rsI and mosI vIdeIy cIrcuIaIed oI
Ihese,WhaIIsDIIIaIHumanIIIesandWhaIsIIDoInInInIIshDearI
menIsIeanasanassInmenIIorazo:oAssocIaIIonoIDearImenIsoI
InIIshmeeIIn(henceIhesecIcIIyoIIIsaddress).IoenedIIIyenjoIn
InanyoneIruIyInIeresIedInIhersIhaIIoIIheIIIuIarquesIIonIoUooIe
II, or erhas consuII WILIedIa. AI Ihe IIme I vas mereIy acIIn ouI my
ImaIIence, sInce vhaIever eIse one couId say aIouI dIIIaI humanIIIes,
IherehadIeennoshorIaeoIvrIIInseeLInIodeneII,andso,asIuI
IIIhen,WhoeverasLsIhequesIIonhasnoIoneIooLInveryhardIoran
ansver. BuI my reaI oInI vasnI IhaI UooIe or WILIedIa vere Ihe de
IacIo auIhorIIIes, IuI raIher IhaI Ihey oered convenIenI orIaIs Io Iayers
oIconsensusIhaIareshaed,overIIme,IyacommunIIyoIInIeresIeder
sons. In oIher vords, dIIIaI humanIIIes vas a consIrucI, and Ihe sIaIe
oI Ihe consIrucI couId Ie more or Iess eecIIveIy monIIored Iy checLIn
InonIIsseIIreresenIaIIonsInareaIe.(TheremaInderoIIheIecedId
somehIsIorIcaIsadevorL,excavaIInIheacIuaIorIInoIIheIermdigital
humanitiesandexIaInInvhyIIhouhIInIIshdearImenIshadaaIn,
hIsIorIcaIIyIeen esecIaIIy hosIIaIIe Io IIs emerence.) BuI vhIIe Ihe
essayhIsIorIcIzesandcharacIerIzesDH,aInoIImedoesIIacIIveIydeneII;
InsIead,InreIrosecI,hereIsvhaIIseeasIIsmosIcIearIysoLenmomenI:
Digital humanities has also, I would propose, lately been galva-
nized by a group of younger (or not so young) graduate students,
faculty members (both tenure line and contingent), and other
academic professionals who now wield the label digital humani-
ties instrumentally amid an increasingly monstrous institutional
terrain dened by declining public support for higher education,
rising tuitions, shrinking endowments, the proliferation of dis-
tance education and the for-prot university, and, underlying it
all, the conversion of full-time, tenure-track academic labor to a
part-time adjunct workforce.
IdonIseeIhIsdescrIIIonoIvhaIIIermamonsIrousInsIIIuIIonaIIerraIn
dIerInsuIsIanIIaIIyIromUrusInsvIevoIvhereveareInIheacademy
Ioday.IorseveraIyearsIhereaIIer,vheneverasLedIodenedIIIaIhumanI
IIes,myresonsevasIhusIosayaIermoIIacIIcaIconvenIence.Thecon
IenIIonIhaIDHvasuseIuIIyundersIoodasaIacIIcaIIerm,Ihen,Iecame
IhesuIjecIoIIhesecondoIIheseIvoessays,aconIenIIonnecessaryInorder
Io,asInexIvroIe,InsIsIonIhereaIIIyoIcIrcumsIancesInvhIchII|dII
IaI humanIIIes] Is unaIashedIy deIoyed Io eI IhIns doneIhIns IhaI
mIhIIncIudeeIIInaIacuIIyIIneorIundInasIaosIIIon,esIaIIIshIn
acurrIcuIum,revamInaIaI,orIaunchInacenIer(DIIIaI:).
ThaIsecondIecedoessomeIurIherhIsIorIcaIvorL,examInIn
IndeIaIIonesuchIacIIcaIdeIoymenIoIDHaIonesecIcInsIIIuIIon,and
aIso,InasearaIesecIIon,aIIemIInIodeIIneaIehovDH,asasInIer,
vasIncreasInIyoeraIIonaIIzedaIorIIhmIcaIIyonIheneIvorL,acIIveIy
moIIIIzedvIahashIasandmeIadaIa.ThIsessayhasIeencrIIIcIzedIyBrIan
IennononIheroundsIhaIIacIIcaI,IIreadIoIoIIovdeCerIeaususae,
InvoLesanouIsIderosIIIonIhaIDHcannoIoner(orIndeed,ever)cIaImIhe
IuxuryoIInhaIIIIn;IhaIDHIs,raIher,asIraIeIcIormaIIoncomIIcIIvIIh
IhesIaIe,oraIIheveryIeasI,comIIcIIvIIhIheaImsoIconnIvIndeansand
admInIsIraIorsandIoundaIIonocersvhoareacIIveIyseeLInIodIsmanIIe
IheIare,ruInedchoIrsoIIheroIessorIaIe.AsIrevIousIyresonded:|I]or
IhoseoIusvhohave|IuIII]cenIers/rorams/currIcuIa/vhaIhaveyouone
roosaI,onehIre,oneIecIureserIes,oneranI,oneserver,oneIasemenI
roomaIaIIme,IheInsIIIuIIonaIInIerIorIIyandsIraIeIccomIIcIIyoIdIIIaI
humanIIIesseemserhasequaIIyunersuasIve(CommenI).BeIhaIasII
may.WhyvrIIeaIhIrdIeceonIheIoIc
WhIIequesIIonsaIouIdIIIaIhumanIIIesdIdnoIorIInaIevIIh
Ihezo:\Ln,IhaImomenIdoesseemIomeIomarLIheonseIoIanIncreas
InIyaressIvechaIIeneIhaIdeservesreconIIIon,andresonse.Some
eIemenIsoIIhaIchaIIene,IILeIhe\LnsessIonorIhIsjournaIIssue,assume
convenIIonaI shaes and Iorms IhaI vIII Ie IamIIIar Io Ihe unInIIIaIed
and easIIy rocessed. OIhers, IILe IIo enIrIes (erhas vIIh commenIs
aended),areaIsoIncreasInIyacceIedasarIoIIhesaceoIourcon
versaIIons,arayIIIeraIureIhaIrequIresonIyaIInLassedInanemaIIor
onIaceIooLIoaccessandassImIIaIe.YeIoIhermaneuvershaveunIoIded
InmorehermeIIcenvIronmenIs,IareIyInaccessIIIeIoouIsIders,dened
esecIaIIyIyTvIIIerIuImoresecIcaIIyIyIheInIeracIIonIeIveenTvII
IerandoIheronIIneservIces(IncIudInIaceIooLandIIos),IheresuIIIeIn
acomIex,aIvaysevoIvInecoIoyIhaIrevardsIhez/aIIenIIoncycIe.
ThIsarIIcuIardIscourseneIvorLIscharacIerIzedIysuIIIeIayersoIIndI
recIIonandInnuendo(someIImescaIIedsuIIveeIsIorsuIIImInaIIveeIs,
I.e.,oIIIquecommenIarIesInvhIcharIIcuIarIndIvIduaIsmayormaynoI
reconIzeIhemseIves),aLIndoIsocIaIsIeanorahy(danahIoydsIerm)
vhosesIraIIcaIIonsrenderIndIvIduaIaendasIransarenIIoIheInIIIaIed
andoaqueIoIheneohyIe.WhIIenoonecanIeIuedInaIIIheIIme,Ior
anumIeroIIheconIrIIuIorsIoIhIsIssueIhesedIscussIonsIormanorma
IIvearIoIIheIrrouIInes,anexIensIonorIaceIoIIheIrcrIIIcaIenaemenI
overIhecourseoIadayasIheIeedreIreshesandIhenoIIcaIIonschIme.(I
auseIorIhesedeIaIIsIecauseonIIneseechdenaIuraIIzesIhereIsIeroI
IhedIscoursehere;andIIayemhasIsonIhemIoIreaLdovnIheduaIIsm
IeIveenIheIandscaeoIsocIaImedIaandIradIIIonaIvenuesoIroIessIonaI
record,IILeaDuLeInIversIIyPressjournaI.)
IIyouIoIIovIherIhITvIIIeraccounIs,Ihen,IIyoureadIherIhI
IIos,IIyoureonIherIhIIIsIs,andIIyoureIncIudedInIherIhIIacLchan
neIs. . .IIyoudoIheseIhIns,youIIIevIIhInyourrIhIsIovonder(aII
overaaIn)vhaIdIIIaIhumanIIIesisanyvay,andvhyonearIhanyone
vouIdvanIIIInIheIrInIIsh(oranyoIher)dearImenI.
HerevIIh,Ihen,aresomeoIIheIerrIIIeIhInsoImyIIIIe,hardIy
anyoIvhIchareexaeraIedIoreecI:DIIIaIhumanIIIesIsanesIoIII
daIa IdeoIoues. DIIIaI humanIIIes dIs \oocs. DIIIaI humanIIIes Is an
arIIIacIoIIheosIg/::securIIyandsurveIIIancesIaIe(IheNsnoIIhe\Ln).
IILe1ohnny,dIIIaIhumanIIIescanIread.DIIIaIhumanIIIesdoesnIdo
Iheory. DIIIaI humanIIIes never hIsIorIcIzes. DIIIaI humanIIIes Is com
IIcII. DIIIaI humanIIIes Is naIve. DIIIaI humanIIIes Is hoIIov hucLsIer
IoosIerIsm. DIIIaI humanIIIes Is manaerIaI. DIIIaI humanIIIes Is Ihe
academIcImorIoISIIIcon\aIIeysoIuIIonIsm(IheIermIhaIIsIheshIIIoIeIh
oI IadIoy Iech crIIIc Iveny Morozov). DIIIaI humanIIIes cannoI aIIde
crIIIque.DIIIaIhumanIIIesaeaIsIoIhoseInsearchoIanoasIsIromIhe
concernsoIrace,cIass,ender,andsexuaIIIy.DIIIaIhumanIIIesdoesnoI
InhaIe(easIIyIheIesIIIneoIIheIunch).DIIIaIhumanIIIesvearsUooIe
UIass.DIIIaIhumanIIIesvearsIhIcL,IhIcLIasses(uIIIy).PerhasmosI
damnInoIaII:dIIIaIhumanIIIesIssomeIhInsearaIeIromIheresIoI
Ihe humanIIIes, andIhIs Is Ihe reaI secreIdIIIaI humanIIIes wants II
IhaIvay.
TerrIIIe IhIns Indeed Ihese are! BuI vhIIe IerrIIIe can mean
reunanI, Ihe eIymoIoy oI Ihe vord (UreeL trein, Io IremIIe) aIso
encomasses IhaI vhIch Is IerrIc, Iy vhIch ve can mean ossessed oI
reaI InIensIIy (see aIso conIemorary Irench usae). II Is noI Ihen so
InarorIaIeIoIesayInIerrIIIeIhInsaIouIdIIIaIhumanIIIesaIIhIs
arIIcuIarmomenI,amomenIvhenIheInsIIIuIIonsveInhaIIIareIndeed
aI Ihe eIcenIer oI seIsmIc shIIIs In aIIIIude, means, and mIssIon. BuI ve
shouIdIecIearaIouIexacIIyvhaIIIIsveareaddressInvIIhIheseIerrIIIe
aIIeaIIons:veare(aImosIaIvays)addressInandInvesIInaconsIrucI,a
consIrucIIhaIIsvarIousIyjournaIIsIIc(noIeIhesIraIhIIIneIromUrusIns
\Ln commenIs Io PannaacLer), admInIsIraIIve, aIorIIhmIc, and oor
IunIsIIc (Ior vhIch one mIhI read, yes, IacIIcaI). CoIIecIIveIy, and aIove
aIIeIse,IIIsdIscursIve,asBaIeysoasIuIeIynoIed.TheveryorIhorahIc
conIoursoIdIIIaIhumanIIIeshaveIeensuIjecIIounrecedenIedscru
IIny:noIIonao,WIIIIamUermano,novDeanoIHumanIIIesandSocIaI
ScIencesaICooerInIon,ronounceduon|I]hesecIacuIarrIseoIDH
as Ihe mosI overIuI dIrah In Ihe nons1r\ academy. II Is arorI
aIeIhaIUermano,edIIorInchIeIIorIvenIyyearsaICoIumIIaInIversIIy
PressrIorIohIsCooerInIonaoInImenI,seIecIsexacIIyIherIhIIerm
oIarIhere.ThedIrahDHvarIousIyaIsodh/DH/D_H/-dhasveIIas
-IransIormdhand-dhocoIsesecIaIIyconsIcuousonTvIIIer,vhereII
IuncIIonsnoIonIyaseconomIcaIshorIhandIuIaIso,asIhavenoIedrevI
ousIy,asahashIameIadaIaIoIeoeraIIonaIIzedIhrouhsearchenInes,
areaIors, and noIIcaIIon servIces. The orIhorahIc (and very oIIen
orIhoonaI)IensIonsarounddIIIaIhumanIIIesIsIIthedIIIaIhumanIIIes
orjusIdIIIaIhumanIIIes,IsIIcaIIaIIzedornoIcaIIaIIzedareIurIher
emIIemaIIcInIhIsreard.
TheaonarexceIIenceoIIheconsIrucIIsoIcourseIhequesIIon
oIdenIIIon:vhaIisdIIIaIhumanIIIesTheInsIsIenceonIhequesIIonIs
vhaIaIIovsIheconsIrucIIodoIIsvorL,IoIuncIIonasasaceoIconIesIIor
comeIInaendas.BuImoreImorIanIIyandIhIsIsrecIseIyvhereIhe
IoIcoIIheconsIrucImosIreadIIyreveaIsIIseIIIhereIsnoacIuaIshorI
aeoIdenIIIonsoIdIIIaIhumanIIIes.Theyare,IyconIrasI,aIvaysIaIenI
andveryoIIenexIIcIIIneverycurrIcuIumandroramroosaI,every
searchcommIIIeechareandhIrInIrIeI,everyranIaIIcaIIonandIooL
rojecIIhaIseesIIoInvoLeIheIerm.ThedenIIIonsmaynoIaIIn,Indeed
IheymayaIIImesroveInImIcaIIooneanoIher.BuIvarIeaIIonIsnoIIhe
sameasaIsenceorIneaIIIIIy,andsovemayconcIudeIhaIIheconIInued
InsIsIenceondenIIIonIsrecIseIyvhaIaIIovsIheconsIrucIIoIuncIIon
asaseIIevIdenIIven,ereIuaIInIIseIIIhrouhIruIereeIIIIonandIhe
roIIIeraIIonoIIocaIIzed,someIImesmedIasecIcdIrahIcIocaIIzers.
You may recaII IhaI Ihe ConsIrucI vas aIso Ihe name Iven Io
Ihe seIIconIaIned emuIaIIon oI Ihe MaIrIx In Ihe WachovsLIs Ims, Ihe
dojovhereNeosarsvIIhMorheusIohonehIsLunIuIechnIque.The
consIrucIInIhIssenseIsoverIIyaIaceoIrIIuaIIzed(anddemaIerIaIIzed)
conIesI.ThIsIsnoIIncIdenIaIIoIhesenseInvhIchIuseIIhere,IIIeraIIzIn
IhemeanInoIIheIermIeyond(Iamsure)BaIeysInIenIIons.InIhecon
sIrucI,IhehaIIIusoIsocIaImedIadIsruIsIheIradIIIonaIcomIIyoIacademIc
exchane.1usIasNeoIearnsIoIendhacLIhehysIcsoIhIsrorammed
reaIIIy,hereoneIendscoIIeIaInIceIIesIncomeIIIIonIorhIIs,reIveeIs,
IILes,andreIIes,IheverysIuIheFu,InInIerneIarIanceoIsuchodI
ousreuIaIIonIracLersasKIouI.Indeed,veLnovIhaIvhenIhIsjournaI
IssueIsuIIIshedIIsavaIIaIIIIIyvIIIIevIdeIyIveeIed.BrIeIexcerIsIrom
Iheessays(:ocharacIers,rememIer)vIIIcIrcuIaIeonTvIIIer.BIoosIs
characIerIzIn or resondIn Io Ihe essays aI reaIer IenIh vIII aear;
Ihe essays IhemseIves may Ie uIoaded Io ersonaI sIIes or InsIIIuIIonaI
reosIIorIesIyIheIrauIhors.TheauIhorsandoIhersvIIIenaeoneanoIher
InIheIveeIsandIIocommenIs.AIIoIIhIsvIIIhaenoveracourseoI
days,veeLs,andmonIhs.WhIIeIherecordsoIIhoseresonsesvIIIIIner
IhereaIIer on Ihe WeI, Ihey vIII Ie muIe remaInders, mere husLs, oI Ihe
IrIsson,IheseroIonInandcaeIneIueIedjasIhaIroeIreaIIImeonIIne
exchane.OnIymuchmoresIovIyvIIIIheseessaysassInIoIhecoIIecIed
roIessIonaIIIIeraIure,vhereIheyvIIIIeIndexed,quoIed,andreIerenced
InIheusuaIvay.ThIsIssueonIhedarLsIdeoIIhedIIIaIhumanIIIesIs
IIseIIanarIIIacI(anissue)oIIheconsIrucIandvIIIserveIosusIaInII,noI
IeasIIhrouh(aaIn)IhecascadeoIaonIsIIcreducIIonIsmIhaIvIIIInevI
IaIIycharacIerIzeIhoseenaInIIIhrouhchanneIsoImeIrIcaI(IhaIIs,
reuIaIIonIased)cIrcuIaIIononsocIaImedIa.
MeIrIcaI,andoIIenIruIaI.BruIaIIsm,orvhaIsomehaveduIIed
IherheIorIcoIconIemI,IILeexcaIhedraronouncemenIandahorIsm,Is
areconIzedonIIneInIeracIIvemode,andIheIaLedovnIsIIsconsummaIe
exressIonasenreandIorm.SuchIsInIacIIhesInaIuresIyIeoIIveny
Morozov,IhecausIIcIechnoIoycrIIIcvhosersIIooLvasIIIIedThe Net
Delusion: The Dark Side of Internet Freedom (zo::). Morozov, as much as
IhedarLsIdesoISIarWarsorPInLIIoyd,IurnIshesIhereIerenIIaIIramIn
Ior Ihe currenI deIaIe. He enIers Ihe scene as one oI Ihe mosI vIsIIIe and
vocIIerous crIIIcs oI SIIIcon \aIIey, and Indeed, Ihe InIerneI, a macro
consIrucI vhose arIIce he emhasIzes Iy InsIsIIn on IIs emIrace vIIh
quoIaIIonmarLs.ThecrIIIque,honedonIhevheIsIoneoIersonaIconIacI
and ucIose ImmersIon In Ihe dayIoday doIns oI Ihe IechnoraIII (see,
IorexamIe,hIs:,ooovordsonTImOBeIIIyInThe Baer),IsaImedaI
IechnoIoIcaI essenIIaIIsm and IechnoIoIcaI deIermInIsm, and aIove aII
IdeaIIsmvhaI Morozov Irands solutionismvhIch hIs second IooL, To
Save Everything Click Here, eecIIveIy demoIIshes. As a IreaLouI uIIIc
InIeIIecIuaI,MorozovIsInhIseIemenIonIIne,cuIIIvaIInanuncomromIs
In,acerIIcersona(hIsTvIIIerIIoreadssImIy:ThereareIdIoIs.IooL
around).TheIransosIIIonIodIIIaIhumanIIIesIysomeoIhIsIoIIovers
vasredIcIaIIe:DHersareIhemseIvessoIuIIonIsIs,reIendersvhoarrIve
IoxIheIIIsoIIheresenIdayacademyvIIhIooIs,as,andIherheIorIcaI
equIvaIenIoI1roIaILs,aIIdrIvenIyanaIve(andduIIcIIous)aendaIhaI
hasIIsrooIsIInoI(yeI)InanioIhenInIheacademIccurrencyoIjoIs,Iund
In,andIenure.BuIIhIsIsoorcrIIIqueandvorsehIsIory,suesIIn,as
IIdoes,IhaIIhedIerencesIeIveenvenIurecaIIaIanduIIIcInsIIIuIIons
are,quIIeIIIeraIIy,ImmaIerIaI.DIIIaIhumanIIIesInIheInIIedSIaIesaI
IeasIhasIIsIeInnInsnoIInCaIIIornIaandnoI(IorIhemosIarI)onIhe
Ivy camuses, IuI mosIIy In easIern IandranI InsIIIuIIons. When a IuII
documenIaryandarchIvaIIysoundhIsIoryoIdIIIaIhumanIIIesIsvrIIIen,
IIvIIIhaveIoIaLeInIoaccounIIheIdIosyncrasIesoIIhIsarIIcuIarcIass
oIInsIIIuIIon,andIhesevIII,IIhInL,reveaIaverydIerenIseIoIconIexIs
IhanSIIIcon\aIIeysorchards,IoIIs,andIechnoIoyarLs.
CharesoIIruIaIIsmandIacLoIcIvIIIIyaredeIacIosuIjecIIo
InnIIereress,IorIheverycharesIecomeIheoIjecIoIIruIaIrIdIcuIe,
andIhecycIeereIuaIes.BuIaIsomeIeveIIIshouIdIeunconIroversIaIIo
oIserveIhaImanyoIIheIerrIIIeIhInsuIIeredaIouIdIIIaIhumanIIIesas
aconsIrucIsImIyIacLaneIemenIaIenerosIIy,asIIIhereverenocrIIIcaI
(IeIaIoneeIhIcaI)dIsIIncIIonsoIIaInaIIeIeIveendaIamInInacorusoI
nIneIeenIhcenIurycIIonanddaIamInInyourIeIehonecaIIInrecords,
asIIIhosevhodoDHhavenIIeeneducaIedInIhesamecrIIIcaIIradIIIons
(Indeed,someIImesInIhesameraduaIerorams)asIheIroonenIs,asII
IhosevhodoDHarenIaIsooIIIIcaIIycommIIIedandoIIIIcaIIyenaed,
andasIIIheydonI(asaresuII)IyIcaIIyndMorozovhImseIIIoIhamus
InandsmarIandroIoundIyunconIroversIaI.(AndyouvIIInoIconvInce
meoIhervIse:here,IunaoIoeIIcaIIyreIyonmyovnsIoresoIanecdoIe
andersonaIInIeracIIon,onconversaIIonsandreIaIIonshIsIhaIoIacL
Insomecasesdecades,IomaLeIhesedeIermInaIIons.)ToInduIedIIIaI
humanIIIesonIyeverasaconsIrucIandasIIeoIconIesIaIIonIsaIsoIhusIo
IveInIoavorIdvIevIhaIseemsIomerecIseIyneoIIIeraI,recIseIyzero
sumandaonIsIIcdIsemIodIed,desocIaIIzed,andevacuaIedoImaIerIaIIIy
ormaIerIaIhIsIory.
II
I am nIshIn IhIs essay In Ihe veeLs ImmedIaIeIy IoIIovIn
IheconcIusIonoIIheDIIIaIHumanIIIeszo:conIerence,heIdInIIncoIn,
NeIrasLa. DH: vas IhIs years conIerence oI record Ior Ihe AIIIance oI
DIIIaIHumanIIIesOranIzaIIons(nouo),rsIIormedInzooasanadmIn
IsIraIIve enIIIy shared Iy Ivo schoIarIy assocIaIIons, Ihe redomInanIIy
NorIh AmerIcan AssocIaIIon Ior ComuIIn and Ihe HumanIIIes and Ihe
redomInanIIyIuroeanAssocIaIIonIorIIIeraryandIInuIsIIcComuI
In,vhIchhaveIhemseIvesIeenhoIdInjoInIconIerencessInce:g8gand
IndIvIduaIIysInceIheearIy:gos.TodaynouoencomassessIxconsIIIuenI
oranIzaIIons,aIsoIncIudInIheCanadIanSocIeIyIorDIIIaIHumanIIIes/
SocIeIeourIeIudedesmedIasInIeracIIIs(sousr\i,novsou/scuN),Ihe
AusIraIasIan AssocIaIIon Ior DIIIaI HumanIIIes (nnDH), cenIerNeI: An
InIernaIIonaI NeIvorL oI DIIIaI HumanIIIes CenIers, and Ihe 1aanese
AssocIaIIonIorDIIIaIHumanIIIes(nDH).ImenIIonIhesearIIcuIarsIo
Iace Ivo seIs oI IacIs IeIore us: one, IhaI dIIIaI humanIIIes, even In IIs
currenIconuraIIon(vhaISIeveBamsayhasduIIedDHTyez),hasa
hIsIoryoInIacLnearIyadecade(and,ashumanIIIescomuIIn,much
IonerIhanIhaI),andIvo,IhaIdIIIaIhumanIIIeshasIecomeIhorouhIy
InIernaIIonaIIzed. Indeed, an aIIendee aI Ihe zo: conIerence mIhI have
heardaerssuchasIncoverInIheHIddenHIsIorIesoIComuIInIn
IheHumanIIIes:gg:g8o:IIndInsandBeecIIonsonIhePIIoIProjecIor
AuIhorshIProIIem|s]oI1aaneseIarIyModernIIIeraIuresInSevenIeenIh
CenIury. Or eIse aers IILe Are UooIes IInuIsIIc ProsIhesIs BIased
IovardCommercIaIIyMoreInIeresIInIxressIonsAPreIImInarySIudy
onIheIInuIsIIcIecIsoIAuIocomIeIIonAIorIIhmsorTheDIIIIzed
DIvIde: MaIn Access Io SuIscrIIIonBased DIIIIzed Besources or
AaInsIIheBInaryoIUender:ACaseIorConsIderInIheManyDImensIons
oIUenderInDHTeachInandBesearch.
WhIIeIheconIerenceIsheavIIyaIIendedIyhumanIIIesIacuIIy
and raduaIe sIudenIs, II aIso IncIudes sInIcanI reresenIaIIon Irom
InIormaIIonsIudIes,comuIerscIence,andIIIraryandarchIvesroIessIon
aIs, as veII as Ihe socaIIed aIIac sace. ConsequenIIy, crIIIcaI meIhods,
assumIIons,anddIscourseneIvorLsdonoIaIvaysaIIn,evenvIIhInIhe
sameaneI;IoreveryscruuIousIyvrIIIenandcareIuIIyreadaercIIIn
1udIIhBuIIerorBrunoIaIour,IhereveresIIdedecLsvIIhdaIaseIs,rahs,
andIuIIeIoInIs.IIdenIIIonIsIhersIreaIaonoIIheconsIrucI,IncIu
sIonandexIenIvhosIn,vhosouIIsIhesecond.ThesIaLesareoIvIous:
vhenaIederaIIundInaencyIesIheaoIIhedIIIaIhumanIIIes,one
IsIncenIIvIzedIoIrandIheIrvorLasdIIIaIhumanIIIes.WhenanB:unI
versIIydoesacIusIerhIreIndIIIaIhumanIIIes,oneIsIncenIIvIzedIoIe
onIhemarLeIasadIIIaIhumanIsI.WhenadIIIaIhumanIIIescenIerhas
InsIIIuIIonaIresources,oneIsIncenIIvIzedIoseeLIocIaImIhemIydoIn
DH.NoneoIIhIsIsdIsInenuousorcynIcaI,norcananyonevhohasIooLed
IndeIaIIaIIhehIsIoryoIacademIcdIscIIInesIhInLdIIIaIhumanIIIesIsIn
anyvayexceIIonaIvIIhreardIodeendencIesIeIveenIIsInIeIIecIuaI
currencyandIoIIomIInevaysandmeans.YeIveIrequenIIyInoreIhese
InsIIIuIIonaIIzedreaIIIIesInIavoroIanaeaIIoIhedIIIaIhumanIIIes
consIrucI,asIhouhIheconsIrucI(andnoIIheInsIIIuIIon)vereIhedesIred
IocusoIouraencyandecacy.InIacI,dIIIaIhumanIsIsarereconIzed
InIhesamevayasIndIvIduaIsvorLInInoIhereIds:IydoInvorLIhaI
IsreconIzaIIeasdIIIaIhumanIIIes.
My uIIIshIn In dierences does noI maLe me a schoIar oI
IemInIsIcuIIuraIsIudIes;vereIIovIshIohavemyseIIconsIderedassuch,
Ihouh,IwouldseeLIouIIIshIndierences(andLIndredvenues),andI
vouIddeveIomyvorLvIIhInaneIvorLoIcIIaIIonsreconIzaIIeIoIhe
aIreadyacIIvearIIcIanIsvhoareuIIIshInandseaLInandIeachIn
InIhaIareavIIhIheoaIoIIeInIIsIenedIoIyIhem.InIIme,IImycon
IrIIuIIonshadmerII,IheymIhIIeIaLenuandcIIedIyoIhersandIhus
assImIIaIedInIoanonoInconversaIIon.SoIIIsvIIhdIIIaIhumanIIIes:
youareadIIIaIhumanIsIIIyouareIIsIenedIoIyIhosevhoareaIready
IIsIened Io as dIIIaI humanIsIs, and Ihey IhemseIves oI Io Ie dIIIaI
humanIsIsIyIeInIIsIenedIoIyoIhers.1oIs,ranIIundIn,IeIIovshIs,
uIIIshIn conIracIs, seaLIn InvIIaIIonsIhese IhIns do noI maLe one
adIIIaIhumanIsI,IhouhIheycIearIyhaveamaIerIaIImacIonIhecIr
cumsIancesoIIhevorLonedoesIoeIIIsIenedIo.PuImoreIaInIy,IImy
unIversIIyhIresmeasadIIIaIhumanIsIandIIIreceIveaIederaIranI(say)
IodosuchandsuchaIhInIhaIIsdescrIIedasdIIIaIhumanIIIesandIII
amIhenrevardedIymydearImenIvIIhromoIIonIorhavIndoneII(noI
IeasIIecauseouIsIdeevaIuaIorsvhommydearImenIIsenIIsIInIoIIsIen
IoasdIIIaIhumanIsIshaveaIIesIedIoIIsvaIueIoIhedIIIaIhumanIIIes),
Ihen,veII,yes,IamadIIIaIhumanIsI.CanyouIeadIIIaIhumanIsIvIIh
ouIdoInIhoseIhInsYes,IIyouvanIIoIe,IhouhyoumayndyourseII
IeInIIsIenedIoIessunIessandunIIIyoudosome thingIhaIIssucIenIIy
noIevorIhyIhaIreasonaIIeeoIevhoIhemseIvesdosImIIarIhInsmusI
accounIIoryourvorL,yourIhIn,asarIoIIheroressIonoIasharedeId
oIInIeresI.ThaIIsvhaIIeInadIIIaIhumanIsIIs;IIIsaImosIaIIoIvhaI
IeInadIIIaIhumanIsIIs.AndvhIIeIhemaIerIaIarIIcuIarsoIIhevorL
mayvaryIncerIaInresecIs,IncIudInsomeveryconsequenIIaIresecIs,II
IsdIerenInoIaIaIIIromIeIna\IcIorIanIsIoraIemInIsIcuIIuraIsIudIes
schoIaroraschoIaroI\IcIorIanIemInIsIcuIIuraIsIudIes.
DIIIaIhumanIsIsdonIvanIIoexIInuIshreadInandIheory
andInIerreIaIIonandcuIIuraIcrIIIcIsm.DIIIaIhumanIsIsvanIIodoIheIr
vorL. They vanI joIs and (II Ihe joI IncIudes Ihe oorIunIIy Ior II) Ihey
vanIIenureandromoIIon.They(oIIen)vanIIoIeach.They(oIIen)vanI
IouIIIsh.TheyvanIIoIeheard.TheyvanIroIessIonaIreconIIIonand
sIaIIIIIy,vheIherasconIInenIIaIor,IadderIacuIIy,raduaIesIudenIs,or
In aIIac seIIIns. In shorI, Ihey vanI reIIy much Ihe same IhIns IhaI
everyvorLInacademIcvanIs,andIheIerrIIIeIruIhIsIhaIIheyoaIouI
II In more or Iess IamIIIar vays IhaI IncIude IeachIn, uIIIshIn, and
admInIsIraIIon.TaLe,IorexamIe,MaIIhev1ocLers,acoIIaIoraIorandasI
coIIeaueoIIrancoMoreIII,hevhoaveusIheIermdistant reading:nov
1ocLersIsonIheInIIshIacuIIyaIIheInIversIIyoINeIrasLaIIncoIn,an
InsIIIuIIon IhaI has deveIoed an exceIIonaIIy sIron caacIIy In dIIIaI
humanIIIes(henceIIshosIInIherecenIconIerence).IIanyIodyIsInDH,
sureIyIIIs1ocLers.HehasrecenIIyuIIIshedaIooLIIIIedMacroanalysis:
Digital Methods and Literary History as arI oI Ihe InIversIIy oI IIIInoIs
PresssToIcsInIheDIIIaIHumanIIIesserIes.InoneearIychaIer,over
IhesanoIaIouIaae,1ocLersdeIoysasequenceoImeIahorsIeaned
IromsIrImInInIoarIIcuIaIehIsvorLsreIaIIonIoIheIIIeraryhIsIoryoI
hIssuIIIIIe:
[W]hat is needed now is the equivalent of open-pit mining or
hydraulicking. [. . .] Close reading, traditional searching, will
continue to reveal nuggets, while the deeper veins lie buried
beneath the mass of gravel layered above. What are required are
the methods for aggregating and making sense out of both the
nuggets and the tailings[...] [to] exploit the trammel of computa-
tion to process, condense, deform, and analyze the deeper strata
from which these nuggets were born, to unearth, for the rst time,
what these corpora really contain. ()
IamquoIInseIecIIveIy,andeIsevhere1ocLersdeveIoshIsarumenIaIon
aIhsmoresuIIIe,erhasmorecomIorIaIIe,IhanmounIaInIoremovaI.
BuIIhaIssecondaryIomyoInI,vhIchIsIhaIIoreceIveevensuchassaes
asIhesevIIhIheaonIsIIczerosumvIevIhaIIheauIhorseeLsIosomehov
eradIcaIeIradIIIonaIcIosereadInandInIerreIaIIonmaLessenseonlyIn
IheconsIrucI.
The IacIs, aIIer aII, are Ihese: 1ocLerss IooL vas uIIIshed In
IaIezo:zvIIharInIrunoIsuchandsuch.IIvIIIIeIouhIIyunIversIIy
IIIrarIesandsomenumIeroIIndIvIduaIs.SomeIevernumIeroIIhosevho
IouhIIIvIIIreadII.IIvIIIIerevIevedInsomenumIeroIvenues,Ihouh
IherevIevsvIIIIaIIoaIIerIhersIIevyearsasIheyaIvaysdo.IvenIuaIIy
(vedonoILnovvhen)IIvIIIoouIoIrInI.IIvIIIIecIIed,Iyhovmany
vedonoIyeILnov.IIvIIIIeassIned,IohovmanycIassesvedonoIyeI
Lnov.IIvIIIInsIresomenumIeroIsIudenIs,someIracIIonoIvhommay
erhasoIoNeIrasLa,IovorLvIIh1ocLers.
AIsomeoInIIhearoachesInIheIooLmayassouIoIIashIon,
andIImayIhusaeardaIedornaIve.AIsomeoInIIhearoachesmay
IecomemorevIdesread,InvhIchcaseIheIooLvIIIaearrescIenIand
vIse.BeardIess,IheIooLvIIIdovhaIaImosIaIIserIousIooLsdo,aIIeIIIo
reaIerorIesserexIenIs:conIrIIuIeIoaconversaIIon.BIhInovIhereIsan
esecIaIIyIIveIysuchconversaIIonaroundhovveread.MycoIIeaueIee
KonsIanIInouhasIeencoIIecIInIhedIerenImodaIIIIes;IesIdescIoseand
dIsIanI,hIsIIsIIncIudesaIsouncrIIIcaIreadIn(MIchaeIWarner),rearaIIve
readIn(IveSedvIcL),enerousreadIn(TImoIhyBeves),dIsInIeraIed
readIn (BIIa BaIey), surIace readIn (Sharon BesI and SIehen Marcus;
aIso HeaIher Iove), and Ihe hermeneuIIcs oI sIIuaIIon (ChrIs NeaIon and
1ereyNeaIon).1ocLerssInIervenIIonsInMacroanalysishaverecIseIyno
chanceoIdIsIacInordIscouraInanyoIIheseoIhermodesoIreadIn
evenIIsuchverehIsInIenI,vhIchIImanIIesIIyIsnoI.1ocLersdoesnoIvIsh
IorusaIIIoIecomeIexImInersandIornoneoIusIoreadsymIomaIIcaIIy
orenerousIyorrearaIIveIy;heIILeIyvIshesIormoreoIusIomIneIexIs
(sureIyIhaIIsamoIIveInvrIIInIheIooL),andIhenIaILIoIhosevhoread
rearaIIveIyandenerousIyandcIoseIy(sureIythatIsIhemoIIveIndoIn
IhemInIn).NoneoIIhIsdIersInanysuIsIanIIaIvayIromIheuIIIcaIIon
oIasecIaIjournaIIssuecoIIecIInaersIromarouoIschoIarsaround
anInIervenIIonsuchassurIacereadIn,IorexamIe.
IeImeoeranexamIeIromanoIherquarIer.PeIerBoIInson,
vho has had a Ion and dIsIInuIshed career as an edIIorIaI IheorIsI and
IexIuaIschoIar,hasIaIeIyIeenIvInaersInvhIchheurorIsIoexIaIn
|v]hydIIIaIhumanIsIsshouIdeIouIoIIexIuaIschoIarshI.AndIIIhey
donI,vhyveIexIuaIschoIarsshouIdIhrovIhemouI.BoIInsonsarumenI
IsredIcaIedonIheIeIIeIIhaIdIIIaIhumanIsIsIuIIdIooIsandIhaIIexIuaI
sIudIesnovmoreorIesshasaIIIheIooIsIIneedsIooaIouIIIsvorL,vhIch
IsIhaIoImaLIncrIIIcaIedIIIons(eIecIronIcoroIhervIse).HeendsvIIh
IhIs:WemayusedIIIaIhumanIIIesIoIeIeIIerIexIuaIschoIars,IuIvedo
noIreIendIoIedIIIaIhumanIsIs.InreIurn,dIIIaIhumanIsIsmIhIaIso
decIare:vedodIIIaIhumanIIIes,andveIryIoheIIexIuaIschoIarsIoIe
IeIIerIexIuaIschoIarsIhrouhdIIIaIhumanIIIes,IuIvedonoIreIend
IoIeIexIuaIschoIars.TherearemanyvaysInvhIchonemIhIseeLIo
ansverBoIInson,sIarIInvIIhIheassumIIonIhaIdIIIaIhumanIIIesIs
connedIoIheacIIvIIyoIIooIIuIIdIn.BuIvecanaIsosayIhIs:BoIInsons
concIudInsIaIemenIIsacaIechIsmIhaImaLessenseonlyInIheconsIrucI,
IhaIvIrIuaIdIscursIvesacevhereMorheusandNeo(vhoareIoIhreaIIy
onIhesamesIde,rememIer)canIaIIIevIIhouIreardIorIodIes,hIsIory,or
hysIcs.OuIsIdeoIIheconsIrucI,BoIInsonssIaIemenIhasnosense,Indeed,
noconIexI.IIseaLsIono body.WhyBecauseIIresumesIheexIsIence
oIenIIIIescaIIeddIIIaIhumanIIIes(orIorIhaImaIIerIexIuaIschoIar
shI) IhaI exIsI aarI Irom Ihe racIIces oI Ihe eoIe vho IdenIIIy vIIh
Ihem.(ToIesure,IhereareexemIarsoIdIIIaIhumanIsIsvhohaveno
reaIInIeresIInIexIuaIschoIarshIjusIasIhereareIexIuaIschoIarsvho
havenoInvesImenIsInIhedIIIaIhumanIIIesIuIIheseIndIvIduaIcases
mereIyreecIIhereaIIIyoIIndIvIduaIchoIcesandcareers,noIIheIracIaI
coasIIInesoIsomemeIadIscIIInaryeorahyexosedaIIovIIde.)
BoIInsonIsIhusmaLInaureIydIscursIvemoveInaureIy
dIscursIvesace.PuImoreIaInIy,IIIsnoIasIIonecouIdsIIInIheaudIence
andhearhIsIaILandsay,Yes,BoIInsonhasIhIsrIhI,andsoIvIIIreIurn
IomycamusanddIssocIaIedIIIaIhumanIIIesIromIexIuaIschoIarshI
IorIhvIIh. Indeed, BoIInson hImseII cIearIy Lnovs IhIs, sInce Ihe mosI
IanIIIe acIIon IIems In hIs aer reIer Io Ihe maIerIaI cIrcumsIances oI
schoIarIyroducIIon:coyrIhIs,cosIs,IhequaIIIyoImarLuandmeIadaIa,
and Ihe InIeroeraIIIIIy oI IooIs. In any case, BoIInsons osIIIons vouId
have Ieen unImaInaIIe jusI a Iev years ao, IeIore Ihe rsI IarescaIe
deIoymenIsoIIhedIIIaIhumanIIIesconsIrucI,noIIecauseIhereareno
InIeIIecIuaIdIsIIncIIonsIoIedravnIeIveenvhaIdIIIaIhumanIIIesdoes
andvhaIIexIuaIschoIarshIdoes,IuIraIherIecauseIhenumIeroIacIuaI
eoIeouIsIdeIheconsIrucIvhovouIdvIshIoconcernIhemseIvesvIIh
IheIhInsBoIInsonconcernshImseIIvIIhvhodonoIalsohaveahIsIory
andIdenIIIyInIhedIIIaIhumanIIIesIsnovadaysvanIshInIysmaII.
IhavevrIIIenasIhaveIosuesIneIIherIhaIaIIdarLsIdecrI
IIques are dIsInenuous nor IhaI any quesIIonIn oI dIIIaI humanIIIes
Is unIversaIIy reducIIIe Io a consIrucI. OI course one shouId asL ques
IIonsaIouIanyseIoIdIscIIInaryracIIcesIhaIhaveIeenasvIsIIIeand
rodIIousasdIIIaIhumanIIIesInrecenIyears.AndIheconsIrucIserves
IIsuroseIoo;reducIIonIsmIsoIIennoIhInmore(andnoIhInIess)Ihan
aconcessIonIoIheIImIIaIIonsoIIhehumancaacIIyIoraIIenIIon.Indeed,
IheIormaIIonoIdIscursIveconsIrucIsaroundareasoIcrIIIcaIenaemenIIs
IIseIIenIIreIynormaIIve(see,IorexamIe,NevHIsIorIcIsmorBomanII
cIsm);BrIanMcHaIeoncechoseexacIIyIhaIhrasedIscursIveconsIrucI
IocharacIerIzeosImodernIsm().ThusIIIsaIsonoIsurrIsInIhaI
DHersIhemseIveshavevrIIIenInnumeraIIesIaIemenIsIhaIconIrIIuIe
IoIheconsIrucIsIormaIIonandereIuaIIon.BuIIIIsaIsonecessaryand
arorIaIeIodravaIIenIIonIovhaIseemsIomeIoIearecenIandarIIcu
IarandecuIIarIyconsIcuousseIoImoves,IhosesuesIedIyIheserIaI
reeIIIIonoIquaIIIyInIanuaeseeLInIoesIaIIIshdIscursIvedIsIance
IeIveen crIIIques oI dIIIaI humanIIIes as such and Ihose addressed Io
IndIvIduaIrojecIsandroducIIons.DravInaIIenIIonIoIhaImove(Ihave
souhIIodoIhIsIyorahIcaIIyIhrouhmyovnuseoIquoIaIIonmarLs
around dIIIaI humanIIIes, much as Morozov InsIsIs on Ihe InIerneI)
ouhIIoremIndusoIIheIImIIsoIcrIIIquevhencrIIIqueIsexercIsedaccord
InIoreconIzaIIeandreeaIaIIe(androceduraI)sIances.SocaIIeddarL
sIdecrIIIquescouIdIhereIoreroducIIveIyroIeIhedIIIaIhumanIIIes
consIrucIInreIaIIonIovhaIveLnovoIrIoracademIcdIscursIveIorma
IIons, an InquIry remarLaIIy aIsenI Irom Ihose crIIIques Io daIe desIIe
IheIrovncharesIhaIdIIIaIhumanIIIesIsnoIsucIenIIyInvesIedIn
IIshIsIorIes.Moreover,crIIIquesoIdIIIaIhumanIIIescanameIIoraIeIhe
consIrucI (as oosed Io InduIIn IIs IruIaI and meIrIc ereIuaIIon) Iy
acLnovIedInhIsIorIcaIIy,maIerIaIIyIhaIdIIIaIhumanIIIesIsInIacIa
dIversIedseIoIracIIces,onevhosedeIaIIsandmeIhodoIoIesresonsIIIe
crIIIquehasaresonsIIIIIIyIoundersIandandenae.
SuchIvouIddearIyIILeIosee,IorIIIsneedednoIjusIIydIIIaI
humanIIIes IuI Iy Ihe consIIIuencIes of Ihe humanIIIes. BecenI reveIa
IIonsnoIvIIhsIandIn,vecannoIroceedasIhouhsuchsuddenIyuIIIc
henomenaasmeIadaIaordaIamInInaresImIyIhecaIIIncardsoI
IhesIaIe.ILnovoIaIIeasIoneexemIaraIreadyaIhand.IamIhInLInoI
AIanIIusessayTheMeanInoIIheDIIIaIHumanIIIesInIheMarchzo:
IssueoI\Ln.UIvenIheIIIIe,onecouIdIeIorIvenIorexecIInIheusuaI
IouIvIIhdenIIIonsandmeasuresoIIncIusIon.BuIIheessayoersIIIIIeIn
IhaIreard.IImaLesaremarLaIIynoveImoveInsIead:acIosereadIn(II
youvIII)oIonearIIcuIardIIIaIhumanIIIesrojecI,secIcaIIy,aaer
uIIIshedouIoISIanIordInIversIIysIIIeraryIaIIasedonexerImenIs
vIIh comuIaIIonaI anaIysIs oI a daIa corus. In IocusIn hIs address on
IheresearchreorIedInIhIsoneaer,IIuhevsverycIoseIoIhescIence
andIechnoIoysIudIes(s1s)aroachIhaIIIeIIeveoersIheIesIIasIsIor
reIevanIcrIIIqueoIandInIhedIIIaIhumanIIIes,acrIIIqueIocusedaround
IheIIIumInaIIonoIIheanIecedenIs,assumIIons,andmaIerIaIdeendencIes
oIarIIcuIarIooIs,meIhods,arenIaesoImenIorIn,andInsIIIuIIonaIseI
IIns.DIIIaIhumanIIIes,aIIeraII,IssomeIImessaIdIosuerIromhysIcs
envy.IeIus,Ihen,IaLeIhaIasIImayIeandavaIIourseIvesoIasInuIarIy
overIuIInIeIIecIuaIrecedenIIorexamInInIncIose(yes,mIcroscoIc)
deIaIIIhemaIerIaIcondIIIonsoILnovIederoducIIonInscIenIIcseIIIns
or conuraIIons. IeI us read cIIaIIon neIvorLs and uIIIcaIIon venues.
IeIusexamIneIheusaeaIIernsaroundarIIcuIarIooIs.IeIusIreaIIhe
recensiooIdaIaseIs.
IIuIvesusamoreIhanassInIImseoIvhaIaIIIhIsmay
IooLIILe:heunderIaLesIocorresond,IorexamIe,vIIhIhemanaInedI
IoroIIheHistorical Thesaurus of the Oxford English Dictionary(u1oro),
a reIerence vhose daIa IurnIshes Ihe maIn InredIenI In vhaI IIu Ierms
anessenIIaIadjusImenIsIeInIheauIhorsmeIhodoIoy.IIu,amasIer
reader,rIhIIyreconIzesIhIsasIhecruxoIIhenarraIIveheIsunsooIIn,
andsoheIoIIovsIheIhreadIoIhesourceInorderIoexoseIheImIIca
IIonsoIIhedeendencIesIoIheu1oro.IIuIurIhernoIesIhaIIheu1oro,
IhouhhIsIorIcaIIyrecomuIaIIonaI,IsnoIreIechnoIoIcaIandhas
InIacIIeenImIemenIedandIransosedIhrouhaserIesoIonIInedaIa
IasessInceIIsorIInsInIhe:gbos;IIIhus(nov)manIIesIsarIchraneoI
medIaarchaeoIoIcaIIayers.TheessaysucceedsnoIonIyIecauseIIoers
u a crIIIque vIIh vhIch ve may IeIIer see Ihe conIrIIuIIons and IImIIs
oIaarIIcuIarrojecIIuIaIsoIecauseIIIsacIIveIyInIeresIedInIvouId
osoIarasIosayIascInaIedIydIIIaIhumanIIIes.IIu,InshorI,seeLsIo
IveusIhedIIIaIhumanIIIesin action,andsohesIIescrIIIqueamIdIhe
evIdenIIary deIaIIs oI daIa seIs and daIaIases and aIorIIhms, as veII as
IIIeraryhIsIorIcaIInIerreIaIIonanddIscIIInaryLnovIede.
InrevIousessays,IvedescrIIeddIIIaIhumanIIIesasIoIha
meIhodoIoIcaIouIIooL(WhaIIs)andasaIacIIcaIIerm(DIIIaI).
IncIosIn,IvIIIIeasIaInasIcanIe:vevIIIneverLnovvhaIdIIIaI
humanIIIes Is Iecause ve donI vanI Io Lnov nor Is II useIuI Ior us Io
Lnov.1ohnInsvorIh,vhomayveIIhavevrIIIenIheIoundaIIonaInamIn
documenIIordIIIaIhumanIIIes(IvenasaIaILonMayz,zoo:),InIroduced
dIIIaIhumanIIIesasaconcessIonarrIvedaIIorvanIoIoIher,dIerenI
Ierms.IromIhaIveryday,vevereaIreadyInIheconsIrucI,aconcession
IhaIexIsIsIoconsoIIdaIeandroaaIevecIorsoIamIIuIIy,armaIIon,
anddIssenI.BeardIess,IhereIsoneIhInIhaIdIIIaIhumanIIIesIneIucIa
IIyis:dIIIaIhumanIIIesIsvorL,someIodysvorL,somevhere,something,
aIvays.WeLnovhovIoIaILaIouIvorL.SoIeIsIaILaIouIIhIsvorL,In
acIIon,IhIsacIuaIIyexIsIInvorL.
A number of wise friends commented on an initial draft of this essay. I am grateful to them.
\n11urv xivscurNvni\ Is AssocIaIe ProIessor oI InIIsh and AssocIaIe DIrecIor oI Ihe
MaryIandInsIIIuIeIorTechnoIoyInIheHumanIIIesaIIheInIversIIyoIMaryIand.HeIscur
renIIycomIeIInaIooL,Track Changes: A Literary History of Word Processing,IorIhcomIn
IromHarvardInIversIIyPress.
: ThIsararahconsoIIdaIesand
arahrases(IuIexaeraIes
hardIyaIaII)anumIeroIono
IndIscoursesarounddIIIaI
humanIIIes,rIncIaIIyonIIne.
ThosevIshInIoreconsIrucIIhe
arIIcuIarsourcesIhaIInsIred
me(vhIchareIynomeanscoex
IensIvevIIhIheIoIaIIIyoIIhe
darLsIdecrIIIque)areadvIsedIo
consuIIIheIoIIovIn.IordIIIaI
humanIIIesasIIdaIaIdeoIoy
(andanIIIheoreIIcaI/hIsIorIcaI/
hermeneuIIcaI/crIIIcaI),seeIhe
zo:z:TvIIIerIeedsoIDavId
UoIumIIaandBrIanIennon.See
aIsoIhevarIousenIrIesInIhe
dIIIaIhumanIIIescaIeoryon
UoIumIIasUncomputingIIo.Ior
dIIIaIhumanIIIesand\oocs,see
(IIonIyasasIarIInoInI)UrusIn.
IordIIIaIhumanIIIesandIhe
osIg/::surveIIIancesIaIe,see
(es.)IennononTvIIIer.IordII
IaIhumanIIIesasmanaerIaIsee
AIIInIon.IorMorozovvorshI,
see(aaIn)UoIumIIaandIennon
(TvIIIer).DIIIaIhumanIIIes
neveronceInhaIedIsIromAIan
IIusIrenchanIessayWhereIs
CuIIuraICrIIIcIsmInIheDIIIaI
HumanIIIesIoranexIensIvedIs
cussIonaroundrace,cIass,ender,
sexuaIIIy,anddIsaIIIIIyandIhe
exIenIIovhIchDHIsorIsnoIa
reIueIromIhemaIIseeSmIIh
andKohandBIsam,IncIudIn
commenIs.ThouhIhIsaccounI
InIsnoIexhausIIve,areader
vhosendsanyIenIhoIIIme
vIIhIhesesources(IncIudInaIso
commenIs,reIIes,andIheoIher
dIaIoIcIeaIuresoIonIIneexres
sIon)vIII,IIhInL,seevoIcedmosI
IInoIaIIoIIheIerrIIIeIhInsI
seeLhereIoaddress.
z IredUIIIs,reacIInIoanearIIer
essayoIIIus,hasaIsodeIIn
eaIedIheneedIorsuchasIIuaIed
crIIIque.HeasserIs,|D]IIIaI
humanIIIescrIIIcIsmneedsIo
oIeyondIyIcaIeerrevIev
andInhaIIIaenreoIIIsovna
crIIIcaIdIscourse,aLIndoI
schoIarshIInIIsovnrIhI.
ThaImeredenIIIonsoIdIIIaI
humanIIIesarecommonIace
andeasyIocomeIyAshaIehas
novdevoIedareaderIocoIIecIIn
IhemonIyaccenIuaIesIheoInI.
SeeTerras,Nyhan,and\anhouIIe.
AIIInIon, DanIeI. The ManaerIaI HumanIIIes; or, Why Ihe DIIIaI HumanIIIes DonI
IxIsI. Daniel Allington (IIo). : Mar. zo:. hII://vvv.danIeIaIIInIon.neI/zo:/o/Ihe
manaerIaIhumanIIIesorvhyIhedIIIaIhumanIIIesdonIexIsI/.
Chun,WendyHuIKyon.TheDarLSIdeoIDIIIaIHumanIIIesParI:.Center for st Cen-
tury Studies. g 1an. zo:. hII://vvv.cz:uvm.com/zo:/o:/og/IhedarLsIdeoIIhedIIIaI
humanIIIesarI:/.
Notes
Works Cited
Uermano, WIIIIam (+WmUermano). The secIacuIar rIse oI DH as Ihe mosI overIuI
dIrahInIhenons1r\academy.:g1an.zo:,g:a.m.TveeI.
UIIIs, Ired. CrIIIcaI DIscourse In DIIIaI HumanIIIes. Journal of Digital Humanities :.:
(zo::).hII://journaIoIdIIIaIhumanIIIes.or/::/crIIIcaIdIscourseIndIIIaIhumanIIIesIy
IredIIIs/(accessed:oOcI.zo:).
UoId,MaIIhev,ed.Debates in the Digital Humanities.MInneaoIIs:ioIMInnesoIa,zo::.
UoIumIIa, DavId. Uncomputing (IIo). hII://vvv.uncomuIIn.or/caI=z (accessed :
OcI.zo:).
(+doIumIIa).TvIIIer.
UrusIn,BIchard.TheDarLSIdeoIDIIIaIHumanIIIesParIz.Center for st Century Stud-
iesg1an.zo:.hII://vvv.cz:uvm.com/zo:/o:/og/IhedarLsIdeoIIhedIIIaIhumanIIIes
arIz/.
1ocLers, MaIIhev I. Macroanalysis: Digital Methods and Literary History. IrIana: i oI
IIIInoIs,zo:.
KIrschenIaum,MaIIhev.CommenIonDIIIaIHumanIIIes:TvoDenIIIons.Uncomputing
(IIo).z:1an.zo:.hII://vvv.uncomuIIn.or/=zoocae=:-commenIz:.
.DIIIaIHumanIIIesas/IsaTacIIcaITerm.UoId:z8.
.WhaIIsDIIIaIHumanIIIesandWhaIsIIDoInInInIIshDearImenIsnor
Bulletin:o(zo:o).hII://mLIrschenIaum.Ies.vordress.com/zo::/o/adenaI.dI(accessed
Au.zo:).
Koh, AdeIIne, and BooILa BIsam. Oen Thread: The DIIIaI HumanIIIes as a HIsIorIcaI
BeIue Irom Bace/CIass/Uender/SexuaIIIy/DIsaIIIIIy Postcolonial Digital Humanities
KonsIanIInou,Iee.PersonaIcommunIcaIIon.zo1uIyzo:,8:b.m.
Iennon,BrIan.CommenIonDIIIaIHumanIIIes:TvoDenIIIons.Uncomputing(IIo).z:
1an.zo:.hII://vvv.uncomuIIn.or/=zoocae=:-commenIz:zg.
(+cesnaI).TvIIIer.
IIu,AIan.TheMeanInoIIheDIIIaIHumanIIIes.\Ln:z8.z(Marchzo:):ogz.
.WhereIsCuIIuraICrIIIcIsmInIheDIIIaIHumanIIIesUoIdgoog.
McHaIe,BrIan.Postmodernist Fiction.NevYorL:BouIIede,:g8.
Morozov,Iveny.The Net Delusion: The Dark Side of Internet Freedom.NevYorL:PuIIIc
AaIrs,zo::.
PannaacLer,WIIIIam.The\LnandIheDIIIaIHumanIIIes.Chronicle of Higher Education
z8Dec.zoog.hII://chronIcIe.com/IIoPosI/TheMIAIheDIIIaI/:gb8/.
BaIey,BIIa.TheDarLSIdeoIDIIIaIHumanIIIesParI.Center for st Century Studiesg1an.
zo:.hII://vvv.cz:uvm.com/zo:/o:/og/IhedarLsIdeoIIhedIIIaIhumanIIIesarI/.
Bamsay, SIehen. DH Tyes One and Tvo. Stephen Ramsay (IIo). May zo:. hII://
sIehenramsay.us/zo:/o/o/dhoneandIvo/.
BoIInson, PeIer. Why DIIIaI HumanIsIs ShouId UeI OuI oI TexIuaI SchoIarshI. And II
They DonI, Why We TexIuaI SchoIars ShouId Throv Them OuI. Scholarly Digital Edi-
tionszg1uI.zo:.hII://schoIarIydIIIaIedIIIons.IIosoI.com/zo:/o/vhydIIIaIhumanIsIs
shouIdeIouIoI.hImI.
SmIIh,MarIhaNeII.TheHumanTouchSoIIvareoIIheHIhesIOrder:BevIsIIInIdIIInas
InIerreIaIIon.Textual Cultures: Texts, Contexts, Interpretationz.:(zoo):::.
Terras,MeIIssa,1uIIanneNyhan,andIdvard\anhouIIe,eds.Dening Digital Humanities:
A Reader.Iarnham,Surrey:AshaIe,zo:.
InsvorIh,1ohn.AMasIersDereeInDIIIaIHumanIIIes:ParIoIIheMedIaSIudIesProram
aIIheInIversIIyoI\IrInIa.zoo:ConressoIIheSocIaIScIencesandHumanIIIes.InIver
sIIe IavaI, ueIec, Canada. IecIure. z May zoo:. hII://eoIe.IIs.IIIInoIs.edu/~unsvorIh
/IavaI.hImI.
\oIume z, NumIer : ooi :o.:z:/:oog:z:ggg:
vi1n vnLrY
Digital Humanities for the Next Five Minutes
AIIernaIIves are cIearIy needed, noI
mereIy oIjecIIons.
DrucLer
I am convInced IhaI Ihe ansvers donI
IIe In vhaI ve have Ieen, IuI In vhaI
ve couId Ie.
BocLveII
There are numerous orIIn sIorIes Ior Ihe digital humanities as
an InsIIIuIIonaI enIIIy. WhaI Ihey do noI yeI IncIude Is Ihe adverIIsemenI Ior
a IacuIIy osIIIon In Ihe InIIsh dearImenI aI Ihe InIversIIy oI CaIIIornIa,
SanIa BarIara, vrIIIen Iy AIan IIu and commIIIee In zooo and quIIe cIearIy
secIIyIn Ihe desIre Ior candIdaIes vhose vorL Is reconIzaIIy IIIerary,
Io some deree racIIceIased, and InIormed Iy cuIIuraI crIIIcIsm. II read:
Assistant Professor, tenure track, digital humanities. We antici-
pate making one appointment eective July , . We seek can-
didates who, while working in any literary eld, have a major
commitment to studying the historical and theoretical aspects of
information technology and new media. Applicants should also
be committed to some dimension of digital practice such as web
authoring or multimedia. We anticipate that the person appointed
would teach courses on such subjects as the culture and aesthet-
ics of information, hypertext literature, past and present writing
technologies, and the relationship between information society
and gender, ethnicity, or global cultures (as well as courses on
topics related to the candidates other literary interests). (icsv
Department of English)
AI once descrIIIve and rescrIIIve, IhIs adverIIsemenI Ior Ihe osIIIon
IhaI evenIuaIIy Iecame mIne esIured Iovard a nascenI dIscIIInary eId
and arIIcuIaIed dIIIaI humanIIIes In Ierms IhaI ve vouId do veII Io
recueraIenoI, II shouId Ie sIressed, Iecause IhIs Is a vIsIon oI vhaI Ihe
eId ouhI roerIy Io Ie, IuI Iecause IhIs IormuIaIIon IacIIcaIIy sum
mons a dIverse and dIsersed Iody oI medIa, IechnoIoIcaI, and InIormaIIc
racIIces and assocIaIes Ihem as dIsIIncI IuI overIaIn comonenIs oI a
shared enIerrIse.
In Ihe InIervenIn years, hovever, Ihe IdenIIIy, roIe, and InvesI
menIs oI Ihe dIIIaI humanIIIes, or DH, have Ieen suIjecIs oI ImassIoned
deIaIe vIIhIn IoIh roIessIon and eId. Once ouI oI Ihe vIIderness IhaI
vas humanIIIes comuIIn (BocLveII) and Iven a nev IIIIe, Ihe dIIIaI
humanIIIes Iecame avaIIaIIe Io comeIIn cIaIms Ior InIeIIecIuaI and InsII
IuIIonaI IerrIIory, and even nov IIs semanIIc InsIaIIIIIy InvIIes aIIemIs Io
secure IIs meanIn. A roIessIonaI communIIy noI susceIIIIe Io IacIIons
and cenIer/erIhery dynamIcs Is dIcuII Io ImaIne, IuI Ihe anxIeIy oI
seIIdenIIIon, as BaIaeI AIvarado has vrIIIen, cIearIy IndIcaIes Ihe emer
ence oI a IerrIIorIaI InsIIncI In an envIronmenI oI scarce resources (o).
II Is Ihus noI IncIdenIaI IhaI vIIhIn our socIoIechnoIoIcaI mIIIeu, dIIIaI
humanIIIes shouId have come Io IuncIIon, as MaIIhev KIrschenIaum has
arued, as a IreeoaIIn sInIer, one IhaI IncreasInIy serves Io Iocus
Ihe anxIeIy and even ouIrae oI IndIvIduaI schoIars over IheIr ovn IacL oI
aency amId Ihe IurmoII In IheIr InsIIIuIIons and roIessIon (WhaI Is
bo). ParIIcuIarIy In a conIexI oI ereIuaI InsIIIuIIonaI crIsIs, uncerIaInIy,
and recarIIy, Ihen, Ihe arumenIaIIve sIaLes In Ihe deIaIe over vhaI Is
are IneIucIaIIy economIc, aecIIve, and sychIc. IIs Iocus Is IvoIoId: vho
are we and vho are they
The exercIse oI denIn Ihe dIIIaI humanIIIes for Ihe dIIIaI
humanIIIesvho are wehas Iecome aImosI aIsurdIy seIIreIerenIIaI. Iven
as Ihe dIIIaI humanIIIes are IormaIIy decIared Io Ie a IransdIscIIIne Iy
1un1cam aIIendees, emIodyIn aII Ihe meIhods, sysIems and heurIsIIc
ersecIIves IInLed Io Ihe dIIIaI vIIhIn Ihe eIds oI humanIIIes and Ihe
socIaI scIences, deIaIes over vho or vhaI deserves Ihe name seem unre
IenIIn (Dacos). ConsIder here Ihe sheer numIer oI manIIesIos, vIsIon sIaIe
menIs, rnos, shorI uIdes, and ouIIInes oI oeraIIonaI rIncIIes IhaI are,
Iy Iurns, reIIeraIIve and IundamenIaIIy conIradIcIory. We musI necessarIIy
28 Digital Humanities for the Next Five Minutes
code, IuIId, maLe; ve musI have some InsIIIuIIonaI reconIIIon oI our sIa
Ius (aIIhouh Ihe numIer oI sIarIu DH cenIers deseraIeIy seeLIn sIa
means even IhIs Is no memIershI uaranIee); ve musI hI Ihe ood hI
aaInsI IradIIIon and Ihe sIaIus quo; ve have aIvays aIready Ieen dIIIaI so
DH IIseII Is redundanI (HaII); and so on. BuI ansverIn Ihe quesIIon vhaI Is
DH need noI necessIIaIe Ihe vhoIesaIe adoIIon oI a arIIcuIar vorIdvIev
or Ihe ronouncemenI oI an onIoIoIcaI IruIh. BaIher, Ihe deIoymenI oI Ihe
dIIIaI humanIIIes as a ruIrIc can Ie, as KIrschenIaum suesIs, vhoIIy
racIIcaI and InsIrumenIaI: II Is one IhaI can Ie reconIzed vIIhIn dIer
enI InsIIIuIIons, dIscourses, and dIscIIInes, and II Is an Idea around vhIch
communIIIes can Iorm Ihrouh Ihe IdenIIcaIIon oI shared InvesImenIs. As
he noIes In a IoIIovu essay, IhIs usae Is IundamenIaIIy IacIIcaI: |D]IIIaI
humanIIIes Is a Ierm ossessed oI enouh currency and escae veIocIIy Io
eneIraIe Iayers oI admInIsIraIIve sIraIa Io eI Iunds aIIocaIed, InIIIaIIves
under vay, and Ians seI In moIIon (DIIIaI :). Indeed, a IacIIcaI usae
acLnovIedes ones osIIIon vIIhIn an InsIIIuIIonaI sIrucIure IhaI orders
and condIIIons IuI can neverIheIess Ie neoIIaIed Io advanIae.
Ior aII oI Ihe IandvIdIh devoIed Io Ihe roIIem oI seIIdenIIIon,
II Is Ihe quesIIon vho are they IhaI IrIns Ihe Iayers o Ihe sIdeIInes and
Ihe crovd ouI oI Ihe IIeachers. The IaIIIes are semanIIc and suIsIanIIve,
racIIcaI and IdeoIoIcaI, IndIvIduaI and IrIIaI, and vhoIIy academIc. UaunI
IeIs In Ihe Iorm oI sveeIn assessmenIs are Ihrovn: quanIIIaIIve anaIysIs
Is unIhInLIn and IIs InvesImenIs In recIse measuremenI hoeIessIy
naIve; Ihe eIsIemoIoIcaI cerIaInIy IhaI daIa vIsuaIIzaIIon seems Io oer Is
equaIIy IanIasIIc; DH IIseII Is a caIIuIaIIon Io marLeI IoIcs oI assessmenI
and ouIcomes and Ihe oranIzaIIonaI Iorms oI cororaIe cuIIure; DH desa
craIIzes Ihe IradIIIonaI humanIIIes and IeIIImaIes Ihe IncreasInIy vocaI
rocIamaIIons oI IIs InuIIIIIy and IrreIevance vIIhIn a IvenIyrsIcenIury
economyand severaI ermuIaIIons oI Ihe same. Nev eIds, arIIcuIarIy
Ihose IhaI chaIIene exIanI aradIms and InIroduce aIIen chane, vIII
InevIIaIIy meeI vIIh resIsIance IoIh IhouhIIuI and InIransIenI (IIu,
DIIIaI :). ThIs Is execIed and even veIcome Io Ihe exIenI IhaI oosI
IIon Iends Io cIarIIy ones arumenIs. Iven so, Ihe IrequenI resonse Io Ihe
vecIorsI.e., carrIers, vIruses, Ius IhaI are carryIn aIIen dIscIIInary
enes (e.., quanIIIaIIve anaIysIs) Is rohyIaxIs, InocuIaIIon, and even ouI
rIhI eradIcaIIon (:). SeaI o Ihe dIscIIInary aIes, IsoIaIe and exune IhaI
vhIch Is IoreIn, and communIcaIe Ihe meIhodoIoIcaI rIncIIes IhaI vIII
revenI IuIure ouIIreaL. BuI Ioo oIIen, Ihe counIer resonse Io Ihe aIarmIsI
aIIemIs aI conIaInmenI Is equaIIy dIsmIssIve eneraIIzaIIon, as In Ihe noIIon
IhaI Ihose vho do noI arIIcIaIe In or vho even exress sLeIIcIsm aIouI
Ihe dIIIaI humanIIIes are unImedIum schoIars (mosI IILeIy oI rInI) vho
have Ieen IuIIed InIo cenIurIes oI somnoIence (icLn).
II seems necessary Io rehearse vhaI oIhervIse mIhI Ie dIsre
arded as counIerroducIIve and even unInIeresIIn ersonaI squaIIIes
Iecause Ihe very occasIon Ior IhIs secIaI Issue vas a uIIIc Iorum IhaI In
hIndsIhI mIhI seem a vaIershed. The DarL SIde oI Ihe DIIIaI HumanI
IIes roundIaIIe oranIzed Iy BIchard UrusIn aI Ihe \Ln convenIIon In zo:
had Ieen receded Iy deIaIes and Debates, Iy a coIIecIIon oI shar and aI
IImes sharIy crIIIcaI essays In Cultural Machine, Iy Ihe acIIve -TransIor
mDH movemenI, and Iy vIIranI exchanes aI 1un1cam evenIs In Ihe InIIed
SIaIes and Iuroe. IIs dIrecI redecessors vere Ihe \Ln convenIIon In zo::,
vhen Ihe Iace oI codIn and cuIIuraI crIIIcIsm In Ihe dIIIaI humanIIIes
vas enereIIcaIIy examIned, and Ihe zo:z convenIIon, marLed, as UrusIn
reorIs, Iy IncommensuraIe aecIIve moods IeIveen Ihe ceIeIraIIon oI
Ihe dIIIaI and Ihe vorry over Ihe crIsIs oI Ihe humanIIIes and Ihe unIver
sIIy IIseII. And II Is dIcuII Io overesIImaIe Ihe dIsroorIIonaIe neIvorL
eecIs (KIrschenIaum, WhaI Is bo) oI WIIIIam PannaacLers nov noIorI
ous ronouncemenI In Ihe Chronicle of Higher Education aI Ihe cIose oI Ihe
zoog convenIIon: The dIIIaI humanIIIes seem IILe Ihe rsI nexI II IhIn
In a Ion IIme. In a momenI oI economIc surIus, such a ronouncemenI
vouId rIhIIy have Ieen dIsrearded as cIIcL IaIIa sensaIIonaI sIaIemenI
desIned Io Increase veI IracIuI Irom a roIessIonaI communIIy In sII
comeIIIIon Ior ever dImInIshIn resources, II eIIcIIed resonses ranIn
Irom causIIc resenImenI Io Ihe zeaIous enIhusIasm oI nancIaI IuIIIes.
Ior Ihe darL sIde roundIaIIe, my IeIIov arIIcIanIs and I
vere asLed Io roduce shorI sIaIemenIs desIned Io sIImuIaIe vIderanIn
dIscussIon oI Ihe unsaId, undersIaIed, or underIheorIzed economIc and
oIIIIcaI Issues IhaI are assocIaIed vIIh, aIIend uon, or oIhervIse IoIIov
Irom Ihe dIIIaI humanIIIes as an InsIIIuIIonaI enIIIy, admInIsIraIIve Idea,
and dIscursIve IormuIaIIon. The oIjecIIve oI Ihe roundIaIIe, and Ihe ensu
In journaI Issue, Is noI unIIormIy Io x vhaI Is aIIer aII a dIverse seI oI
IechnIques and acIIvIIIes vIIhIn a sInuIar homoenous Irame so as Io seeL
ouI Ihe hIdden IdeoIoIcaI core IurIed dee vIIhIn II: noI, Ihen, Io IrIn Io
IIhI Ihe darL sIde oI Ihe dIIIaI humanIIIes. In our resecIIve reIa
Iory sIaIemenIs ve noIed IhaI ve had Ieen asLed Io rovoLe, IuI sIImuIaIe
Is cIoser Io Ihe IhInLIn IehInd Ihe evenI. The IIIIe oI Ihe roundIaIIe vas
IIseII a rovocaIIon, hovever, and one ImaInes IhaI even Ihe addIIIon oI a
quesIIon marL In Ihe roram coy mIhI have roduced a dIerenI aecIIve
resonse Irom Ihe audIence, vhIch as II vas mIhI Ie IaIrIy characIerIzed
as vIdesread IndInaIIon. ThaI Ihe IndInaIIon vas reInIorced vIIh every
IIo osI, commenI, and reIveeI can onIy conrm KIrschenIaums IhesIs
aIouI Ihe neIvorL IooIoy oI Ihe dIIIaI humanIIIes communIIy as II Is
consIIIuIed Ihrouh socIaI medIa, vIIh IInes dravn Iy areaIes oI anI
IIes, IormaIIy and IuncIIonaIIy manIIesI In vho IoIIovs vhom, vho IrIends
vhom, vho IveeIs vhom, and vho IInLs Io vhaI (WhaI Is g). The useI
seemed In arI Io derIve Irom a mIsundersIandIn aIouI Ihe crIIIcaI oIjecI
aI hand: Ihouh our roundIaIIe reIerred In assIn Io acIuaIIy exIsIIn
rojecIs, coIIecIIves, and ames IhaI ve IooL Io Ie armaIIve and InsIr
In, Ihe dIIIaI humanIIIes under anaIysIs vas a dIscursIve consIrucIIon
and cIearIy noIed as such IhrouhouI. ThaI audIence memIers shouId have
roIessed In resonse noI Io reconIze IhemseIves In our resenIaIIons Is
Ihus Io my mInd aII Io Ihe ood, even II II somevhaI mIsses Ihe marL.
The dIIIaI humanIIIes as Ihe nexI II IhIn maLes a cIaIm Io
Ihe vIrIuaI In Ihe sense oI an IdeaI IhaI has yeI Io Ie reaIIzed. ThaI Is, Ihe
eId seems Io Ie aIIve and veIIII has aIready arrIvedIuI II mIhI In Ihe
IuIure Ie even IIer (PannaacLer). BuI vhaI II ve vere InsIead Io consIder
Ihe dIIIaI humanIIIes as vIrIuaI In Ierms oI oIenIIaIIIIesnoI vhaI II Is, IuI
vhaI II mIhI have Ieen II IhIns had Ieen oIhervIse, II Ihere had Ieen dII
IerenI conIerences, dIerenI ranI IInes and IundIn sIreams, dIerenI joIs,
even dIerenI ersonaIIIIes In oIher vords, Ihe dIIIaI humanIIIes mIhI
maLe a cIaIm Io Ihe vIrIuaI vIIh resecI Io Ihe cIrcumsIances, condIIIons,
and conIexIs IhaI mIhI have roduced, and mIhI sIIII roduce, dIerenI
research quesIIons. The reIaIIons IeIveen Ihe dIIIaI humanIIIes and nev
medIa sIudIes couId have Ieen oIhervIse, and IheIr oIenIIaI Io Ie such has
noI yeI Ieen exhausIed. So, Ioo, Ihe reIaIIons IeIveen Ihe dIIIaI humanI
IIes and, varIousIy, scIence and IechnoIoy sIudIes, race and eIhnIc sIudIes,
IemInIsI sIudIes, dIsaIIIIIy sIudIes, and communIcaIIon (IIu, MeanIn;
IoIhIan and PhIIIIs; McPherson; WIIIIams). IeI us Ihen seIze Ihe oorIu
nIIy Io consIder coIIecIIveIy, as Ueorey BocLveII suesIs, vhaI ve couId
Ie. ThIs Is Iy no means Io suesI IhaI ve musI dIscover and emIrace a
sInuIar IdeaIIzed and IeIeoIoIcaI raIIonaIe Ior Ihe eId; II Is raIher Io noIe
IhaI IIs sIIII amorhous asecIs, aIon vIIh Ihe InIeIIecIuaI enerIes IhaI IIe
IehInd II, have a eneraIIve oIenIIaI IhaI ve vouId do veII noI Io IorecIose
In Ihe rush Io InsIIIuIIonaIIze.
The correIaIIon IeIveen Ihe rIse oI Ihe dIIIaI humanIIIes as Ihe
nexI II IhIn and Ihe vorsI joI marLeI In \Ln hIsIory has Ieen IrequenIIy
noIed (1aschIL). 1ohn InsvorIh dIscerns a hInI oI causaIIon In vhaI ve ouhI
noI Io mIsreconIze as coIncIdence, secuIaIIn IhaI Ihe reIaIIve avaIIaIII
IIy oI dIIIaI humanIIIes osIIIons mIhI Ie aIIrIIuIaIIe Io Ihe readymade
arumenI IhaI couId Ie resenIed Ior hIrIn IInes: Ihe meIhodoIoIcaI nexI
IesI IhIn Is IILeIy Io resuII In exIernaI IundIn, and InsIIIuIIons vouId do
veII Io eI ahead oI Ihe crovd, arIIcuIarIy In Ihe currenI oranIzaIIonaI
cIImaIe oI conIInuIn assessmenI. The enIrereneurIaI jocLeyIn Ior soII
money, hysIcaI sace, and r1rs (IuIIIIme equIvaIenIs)Ihe oId rushIs
noI unIILe Ihe sIarIu Irenzy oI Ihe :ggos, and Ihere Is more Ihan a hInI oI
secuIaIIve manIa vIIhIn Ihe exuIeranI InvesImenI In cenIers and InIIIaIIves
(IIormonIe b:). In a varIaIIon on Ihe unIIIIed BarIara Kruer rInI aIouI Ihe
commodIcaIIon oI cuIIure, vhen Ihe InnovaIIve admInIsIraIor hears Ihe
vords dIIIaI humanIIIes, he IaLes ouI hIs checLIooL. The IoIIovu IIne:
you can have any IacuIIy or aIIac osIIIon you IILe, as Ion as II Is Iramed
as dIIIaI. BuI LeeIn Ihe checLIooL reasonaIIy IaIanced necessIIaIes a
reshuIn oI resources and even dIvesImenI as manIIesI In Ihe cIusIerIn
or ouIrIhI cIosure oI dearImenIs and Ihe eIImInaIIon oI IacuIIy IInes. As
InsvorIh succIncIIy concIudes, Ihe uneasy reIaIIonshI IeIveen Ihe dIIIaI
and IradIIIonaI humanIIIes Is Ihus aI core aIouI joIs. UrusIn oes IurIher
In hIs IdenIIcaIIon oI a causaI reIaIIon IeIveen Ihe arrIvaI oI Ihe dIIIaI
humanIIIes aI cenIer sIae and Ihe macroeconomIc condIIIons IhaI have
made II ossIIIe: I vouId asserI IhaI II Is no coIncIdence IhaI Ihe dIIIaI
humanIIIes has emered as Ihe nexI II IhIn aI Ihe same momenI IhaI Ihe
neoIIIeraIIzaIIon and cororaIIzaIIon oI hIher educaIIon has InIensIed In
Ihe rsI decades oI Ihe z:sI cenIury.
In a reorI on Ihe sIaIe oI Ihe dIIIaI humanIIIes, IIu sLeIches
an accounI oI a ureIy economIc raIIonaIe Ior Ihe eId, vhIch mIhI Ihus
Ie IhaI Ihey reenIneer hIher educaIIon Ior LnovIede vorL Iy rovIdIn
ever smarIer IooIs Ior vorLIn vIIh IncreasInIy IoIaIscaIe LnovIede
resources, aII Ihe vhIIe IrImmIn Ihe need Io InvesI roorIIonaIIy In Ihe
IradIIIonaI IacIIIIIes, suorI sIa, and erhas ermanenI IacuIIy oI vhaI
BIII UaIesIn vIdeIy reorIed commenIs aI Ihe zo:o Techonomy conIer
encecaIIs oIsoIeIe IaceIased camuses (:o). The sIaIe oI Ihe dIIIaI
humanIIIes, In oIher vords, Is IhaI II serves IoIh Ihe osIIndusIrIaI sIaIe and
Ihe InIversIIy oI IxceIIence, vhIch IIseII oeraIes In accordance vIIh osIIn
dusIrIaI IusIness rIncIIes oI accounIIn and admInIsIraIIon (BeadIns).
The Idea oI Ihe dIIIaI humanIIIes mIhI IhereIore aeaI Io admInIsIraIors
vho dIsIrIIuIe IacuIIy IInes, Iunds Ior osIdocIoraI IeIIovs and IechnIcaI
sIa, and equImenIeven In a momenI oI scarcIIy In arI Iecause exIer
naI ranIs deIermIne InsIIIuIIonaI ranLIns. As veII, cerIIcaIe rorams
maLe IradIIIonaI dIscIIInes more marLeIaIIe Io oIenIIaI sIudenIs vho
seeL added vaIue Ior IheIr escaIaIIn IuIIIon aymenIs. In IhIs reard, Ihe
dIIIaI humanIIIes as an admInIsIraIIve Idea Is a reIrandIn oI Ihe Ira
dIIIonaI humanIIIes Ior Ihe very InsIIIuIIons Irom vhIch suorI Is souhI
(IIu, SIaIe g).
In our currenI mercanIIIe LnovIede reIme, vIIh IIs raIIonaI
caIcuIus oI academIc vaIueseaIs occuIed, uIIIcaIIons counIed, Iunds
rocured, derees oIIaInedIhe dIIIaI humanIIIes are arIIcuIarIy veII
osIIIoned Io ansver admInIsIraIIve and uIIIc demands Io maLe LnovIede
useIuI: aIIer aII, research Iased on quanIIcaIIon Is IIseII readIIy avaIIaIIe
Io quanIIcaIIon. CynIcaIIy, In an InsIIIuIIonaI conIexI In vhIch a cororaIe
admInIsIraIIve cIass Is aIready mysIIed Iy humanIIIes research IhaI II
cannoI assess In Ierms oI Ihe amorhous meIrIcs oI exceIIence and Inno
vaIIon, one mIhI say IhaI Ihe dIIIaI humanIIIes Is aIso arIIcuIarIy veII
osIIIoned Io exIoII Ihe execIaIIon IhaI ve shouId Ie aecIIveIy aved Iy
InsIrumenIaIIon (oh my od, IhIs IaI, IhIs aIIcaIIon, Is so cooI). BuI ve
mIhI aIso asL II Ihere Is a sense In vhIch our InsIIIuIIons have Ieen cauhI
aIIooIed Iy Ihe Iorces oI dIsruIIve InnovaIIon and Iy Ihe dIsareaIIon
oI hIher educaIIon: unIversIIy educaIIon conceIved as IecevorL Is aor
IIoned Io IuIors and IecIurers; IuIorIn cenIers deveIo on Ihe modeI oI Ihe
caII cenIer; onIIne sIudy rous deveIo and raduaIIy morh InIo onIIne
IearnIn rojecIs such as Peer z Peer InIversIIy (zi). Can ve IhereIore
undersIand Ihe exuIerance IhaI surrounds Ihe dIIIaI humanIIIes Io Ie Iess
oI an aIIemI Io shae a IuIure Ihan a saIvIc aIIemI Io deveIo a susIaInaIIe
oranIzaIIonaI modeI Ior our roIessIon IhaI vouId IncIude evaIuaIIve crIIe
rIa and edaoIcaI racIIces arIIcuIar Io our currenI socIoIechnoIoIcaI
mIIIeu Are ve sIIII IayIn caIchu, and Is Ihe enIhusIasIIc, IransmedIaI
romoIIon oI Ihe dIIIaI humanIIIes a cover Ior our IeIaIedness
In Ihe nev vorId oI IraIncurrency shaed Iy enIneers and
economIsIs, as BIchard HoarI once descrIIed II (zzg), II Is no Ioner ordI
nary schooImasIers eddIIn Ianuae as symIoIIc caIIaI, IuI Ihe dIIIaI
humanIsIs IhaI serve as cashIers, academIc servIce sIa rovIdIn sLIIIs
Iased IraInInvIsuaI IIIeracIes, communIcaIIve comeIence, IechnoIoIcaI
rocIency, daIa manaemenIand reInsIanIIaIIn In Ihe rocess Ihe very
caIeorIcaI dIsIIncIIons IeIveen Iheory and racIIce IhaI oiY (doIIyour
seII ) and maLer cuIIure have Ion souhI Io chaIIene. Perhas, Ihen, Ihe
sIrucIuraI dIvIsIon oI IaIor IhaI UeerI IovInL and Ned BossIIer IdenIIIy as
an InevIIaIIe asecI oI Ihe sIarIu cuIIure oI Ihe dIIIaI humanIIIes, vIIh
i1 (InIormaIIon IechnoIoy) sIa oIIen rovIdIn IechnIcaI exerIIse and
erIormIn servIce vorL Ior cIueIess arIs and humanIIIes schoIars, can
IeII us someIhIn aIouI IoIh Ihe eId and Ihe unIversIIy (o). In an InsIIIu
IIonaI conIexI In vhIch exerI deendenI hIhend IooIs are Ihe excIusIve
rovInce oI comuIer enIneers, coIIaIoraIIve LnovIede roducIIon Is an
Idea raIher Ihan acIuaI racIIce (o). II Is noI IhaI humanIsIs do noI vanI Io
read manuaIs, IuI IhaI IheIr arIIcuIar aIIIude Ior symIoIIcIIy Is noI useIuI
as II once vas Iecause Ihe domInanI Ianuaes oI Ihe unIversIIy (Irans
acIIonaI, oeraIIonaI) are nov Ihose oI comuIIn. IovInL and BossIIers
ohand remarL concernIn servIIude Io Ihe i1 sIa and IheIr auIhorIIar
Ian ImaInaIIons mIhI Ihen Ie more sInIcanI Ihan II oIhervIse seems
(:). II Ihe aradImaIIc racIIIIoners oI Ihe Idea oI Ihe MuIIIversIIy vere
admInIsIraIors, as CIarL Kerr suesIed (so, Ioo, Ior Ihe InIversIIy oI IxceI
Ience), manaerIaI suorI sIa Irom Ihe Oce oI Besearch Io Ihe Oce oI
InsIrucIIonaI TechnoIoy IuIII IhaI roIe Ior Ihe conIemorary unIversIIy.
Nev InsIrumenIaIIIIes (accounIIn sysIems, cIInIcaI IrIaIs, eIhIcaI roIo
coIs, i1 reImes) requIre nev roIessIonaIs (advocaIes, evaIuaIors, rIncIIe
InvesIIaIors, eIhIcIsIs). IacuIIy are no Ioner Ihe onIy ImorIanI rou oI
roIessIonaIs vIIhIn unIversIIIesand IhaI ImorIance, IhaI IoIIomIIne
vaIue, as ve have seen Irom InsIIIuIIons In Ihe InIIed SIaIes and Ihe InIIed
KIndom aIILe, Is easIIy rendered as caIcuIaIIe (SIauhIer and Bhoades z8).
As SheIIa SIauhIer and Uary Bhoades documenI, unIversIIIes
and Ihe nev economy are IncreasInIy IndIssocIaIIe. NosIaIIc yearnIns
Ior Ihe oIden ae oI LnovIede Ior Ihe uIIIc oodvIII Ihus remaIn IanIasy:
unIversIIIes cannoI Ie dIsenIanIed Irom Ihe caIIaIIsI LnovIede reIme
Iecause IhaI reIme Is IIseII IundamenIaIIy academIc. TheIr Iheory oI aca
demIc caIIaIIsm Iocuses on neIvorLsnev cIrcuIIs oI LnovIede, InIersII
IIaI oranIzaIIonaI emerence, neIvorLs IhaI InIermedIaIe IeIveen uIIIc
and rIvaIe secIor, exIended manaerIaI caacIIyIhaI IInL InsIIIuIIons as
veII as IacuIIy, admInIsIraIors, academIc roIessIonaIs and sIudenIs Io Ihe
nev economy (:). KnovIede roducIIon has Ieen admInIsIraIIveIy ca
Iured, as Is evInced Iy aIenI deaIs, coyrIhI dIsuIes, measuraIIe ImacI,
ayIouIIIsh schemes, and cororaIe sonsorshI oI IacIIIIIes and research
rocesses aIILe. WIIhIn Ihe academIccaIIaIIsI reIme, LnovIede Is Iun
IIIe, aIIenaIIe, and, oI course, coyrIhIaIIe. Here, Ioo, ve mIhI IhInL oI
PhIII MIrovsLIs IncIsIve anaIysIs oI Ihe neoIIIeraI corruIIon oI scIenIIc
LnovIede, an economy Ior vhIch AmerIcan unIversIIIes are nov mereIy
Ihe cash covs.
There are varIous IaIeIs Ior Ihe conIemorary unIversIIy, amon
Ihem Ihe corIversIIy, Ihe IoIaI unIversIIy, and Ihe IoIaI neIvorLed
unIversIIy. BuI none oI Ihese descrIIors quIIe seaL Io IIs drIvIn Iorce and
overnIn Idea: accumuIaIIon and acquIsIIIon. AII oI Ihe vIsIon sIaIemenIs,
enIrereneurIaI acIIvIIy, and sIraIeIc deveIomenI Ians orIenIed Iovard
InnovaIIon and Ihe dIsruIIon oI IusIness as usuaI aruaIIy IoII dovn Io IhIs
IasIc oIjecIIve. The InIversIIy oI AcquIsIIIon seeLs IoIaI camuses, ro
erIy, and nev IuIIdIns, aIon vIIh more excIusIve archIIecIuraI desIns,
arIvorLs, endovmenI Iunds, sIocL orIIoIIos, donors, aIenIs, IndusIry
arInershIs, sIaIeoIIhearI IaIoraIorIes, nev Ioo desIns, aIhIeIIc IIIIes,
hIher ranLIns, sIar IacuIIy vhose erceIved vaIue exceeds IormuIaIc
caIcuIaIIon, and, more recenIIy, ceIeIrIIy resIdenIs vho vIII enhance Ihe
resIIe oI Ihe name. InsIead oI Ihe WIsconsIn Idea oI exIensIon, IrInIn
Ihe unIversIIy Io Ihe uIIIc, II Is a camus on SaadIyaI IsIand IhaI exands a
reaI esIaIe orIIoIIo. II Ihe muIIIversIIy vas addIIIve Ihrouh IracIIonaIIza
IIon, vIIh IIs searaIe endeavors oI an InnIIe varIeIy, Ihe conIemorary
unIversIIy IuncIIons, raIher, as areaIor, uIIIn aII manner oI servIces
and enIerrIses vIIhIn IIs roverIIaI vaIIs (Kerr :). IILe IhaI vhIch has
come IeIore, II has a massIve IureaucraIIc sIrucIure, IuI overnance no
Ioner occurs Ihrouh checLs and IaIances, medIaIIon, and commIIIee
consensus. The auIocraIIc resIdenIIaI ure vas suerseded Iy Iureau
cracy, vhIch has In Iurn Ieen suerseded Iy oIIIIcaIIy aoInIed IrusIees
vhose rImary concern Is Io reduce oeraIIonaI exenses and rov Ihe
Irand. The InIversIIy oI AcquIsIIIon Is a sIaIus machIne, quaIIIaIIveIy dII
IerenI Irom Ihe davn oI Ihe PhD OcIous, vhen Ihe currency oI Ihe reaIm
vas Ihe deree IIIIes shInIn IILe Ihe sIars In Ihe rmamenI (1ames :z).
II cIaIms as roerIy research ouIcomes (IooLs, ceII IInes, soIIvare) and
servIces (dIsIance educaIIon, Iech IraInIn) aIILe. The hIsIorIcaI IuncIIon
oI Ihe humanIIIes, as ThorsIeIn \eIIen IncIsIveIy cIaImed, vas Io shae
Ihe characIer oI Ihe sIudenI In accordance vIIh a IradIIIonaI seIIcenIred
scheme oI consumIIon (go). When consumIIon, sIaIus, and acquIsIIIon
are Ihe overnIn Ideas oI Ihe unIversIIy, hovever, Ihe humanIIIes musI
necessarIIy reIrand IheIr mIssIon.
My suesIIon, noI mIne aIone, Is IhaI ve need more crIIIcaI
reecIIon uon, and IronIc seIIavareness aIouI, Ihe emIedded Iace oI
dIIIaI humanIIIes In Ihe conIemorary LnovIede economy. IIu has osed
Ihe nov Ieendary IuI noI as yeI IuIIy ansvered quesIIon, asLIn hov Ihe
eId oI Ihe dIIIaI humanIIIes advances, channeIs, or resIsIs Iodays reaI
osIIndusIrIaI, neoIIIeraI, cororaIe, and IoIaI ovs oI InIormaIIoncum
caIIaI (Where Is g:). The dIIIaI humanIIIes has Indeed had very IIIIIe
Io say aIouI roIocoIs oI nance and overnance, IuI II has equaIIy ressIn
IasLs. Perhas more Ihan oIher academIc roIessIonaI communIIIes, dIIIaI
humanIsIs need conIInuaIIy Io vorL Io erceIve and neoIIaIe Ihe InsIIIu
IIonaI ImaInary oI InIormaIIonaI IechnoIoy so as noI Io IaII InIo Ihe Ira
oI unconscIousIy adoIIn IIs oIIcs. ThIs InsIIIuIIonaI ImaInary InIorms
Ihe condIIIons oI our IaIor. II shaes InIeIIecIuaI rhyIhms accordIn Io
admInIsIraIIve caIendars and asLs IhaI ve adoI Ihe haIII oI InnovaIIn Ior
Ihe nexI ranI cycIe. II mandaIes IhaI LnovIede Iecome encoded InIo se
cIc reeaIaIIe IormsIhe rah, Ihe ma, Ihe IImeIIne, Ihe scaIIer IoIIn
oIher vords, rammaIIzed, vhIch Ior Bernard SIIeIer means IhaI II has
Ieen rendered IndusIrIaIIy dIscreIIsaIIe, reroducIIIe, sIandardIsaIIe,
caIcuIaIIe and conIroIIaIIe Iy auIomaIa (:). In Ihe conIexI oI Ihe medIaI
envIronmenI oI Ihe unIversIIy, comuIaIIonaI IechnIques aIso IacIIIIaIe Ihe
rammaIIzaIIon oI Ihe dIscIIInes, IheIr moduIarIzaIIon and recomIIna
IIon In IocLsIe vIIh dIscreIe IInary dIIIs (Berry, ComuIaIIonaI :).
We ouhI, In my vIev, Io Ie marshaIIIn Ihe IuII crIIIcaI, hIIosohIcaI,
and rheIorIcaI resources aI our dIsosaI In order Io IhInL aIouI Ihe very
unIversIIIes In vhIch ve are emIedded, IheIr oranIzaIIonaI sIrucIures,
InsIrumenIaIIIIes, and overnIn Ideas. We mIhI even need a smaII dose oI
Ihe seIIreexIvIIy aIouI sIIuaIedness IhaI vas InherenI In cuIIuraI sIudIes
In IIs rIme, a seIIreexIvIIy announced In Ihe crIIIcs accounI oI herseII
IoIh as a suIjecI and In reIaIIon Io her oIjecI. ThIs need noI InvoIve Ihe
seIIIaceraIIon oI academIc aoIoy, IuI sImIy a vIIIInness Io InvesIIaIe
vIIh some measured sLeIIcIsm Ihe InsIIIuIIonaI IramevorLs In vhIch one
oeraIes. BurdIcL eI aI. have made Ihe case IhaI ve need more IuIIy Io enae
Ihe sIrucIured saces and rocesses oI our comuIaIIonaI envIronmenIs,
Ihe rahIcaI InIerIaces, Ihe daIa Iyes, Ihe daIaIase reIaIIons (:). I
vouId o IurIher Io suesI IhaI IhIs enaemenI ouhI Io exIend Io Ihe
very rocedures IhaI overn our everyday use oI unIversIIy UmaII accounIs
and Indeed Ihe vhoIe oI UooIe IducaIIon. A IuIIy reaIIzed crIIIcaI dIIIaI
humanIIIes, Io Iorrov DavId Berrys IormuIaIIon, vouId Ihus dIrecI IIs
aIIenIIon Io aII oI Ihe roIocoIs IhaI sIrucIure our communIcaIIve acIs, Irom
vrc (BequesI Ior CommenIs) sIandards and InIerIace desIn Io InIcode and
Ihe nscii (AmerIcan SIandard Code Ior InIormaIIon InIerchane) characIer
seI, Ihe assInmenI oI domaIn names and i (InIerneI ProIocoI) addresses,
rIvacy oIIcIes, and Ierms oI servIce.
ComuIaIIonaI IechnIques and meIhods aecI Ihe ImaInaIIon
jusI as Ihey shae oranIzaIIonaI sIrucIures. As 1ohanna DrucLer has
arued, ve need Io Iearn Io neoIIaIe Ihe ImeraIIve Io conIorm humanIs
IIc IhouhI Io Ihe IoIcaI sysIemaIIcIIy oI comuIaIIonaI rocesses (:).
WIIh some rereI, DrucLer conIends IhaI Irom a dIsIance, even a mIddIe
dIsIance oI racIIcaI enaemenI, much oI vhaI Is currenIIy done In dIIIaI
humanIIIes has Ihe IooL oI auIomaIIon (z). CIaIms IhaI dIIIaI humanIIIes
rojecIs are noI sImIy mechanIsIIc aIIcaIIons oI IechnIcaI LnovIede,
IuI occasIons Ior crIIIcaI seIIconscIousness musI, she InsIsIs, Ie suIsIanII
aIed (z). Ior DrucLer, Ihe vorL oI secuIaIIve comuIIn Is, In arI, Io
IhInL oIhervIse, Io IacIIIIaIe dynamIc InquIry raIher Ihan roceduraI and
mechanIsIIc rocessIn (:). HereIn, Ihen, IIes Ihe ossIIIIIIy oI a Irue
rarochemenI IeIveen Ihe dIIIaI humanIIIes and nev medIa sIudIes:
secuIaIIve Iay (IuIIdIn, IInLerIn, exerImenIIn) couIed vIIh crIIIcaI
reecIIon and crIIIqueneIIher vhoIIy or excIusIveIy romanIIcIzed, and
neIIher rearded as suIordInaIe, IuI each aIIendIn uon and InIormIn
Ihe oIher.
II aI Ihe IIme oI KIrschenIaums medIIaIIon on Ihe dIIIaI human
IIIes as a Ierm Ihe denIIIonaI sIaIemenI vas aIready a enre Iece, a Iev
years IaIer, Ihe crIIIques and caIIs Io IransIorm are much Ihe same, and Ihey
rmIy occuy Ihe conversaIIonaI cenIer. II Is noI Ior noIhIn IhaI crIIIqu
In Ihe dIIIaI humanIIIes In MaIIhev UoIds IormaIIve Debates voIume
shouId Ie Ihe IvoI oInI IeIveen denIIIon and Iheory, on Ihe one hand,
and IeachIn and racIIce, on Ihe oIher. (The cuIIuraI oIIIIcs oI Ihe dIIIaI
humanIIIesIIs Iacunae, roIocoIs, and IechnocraIIc IuncIIonare rImary
research roIIems Ior many vho vorL In Ihe TranscrIIIons CenIer aI Ihe
InIversIIy oI CaIIIornIa, SanIa BarIara. Ior examIe, our raduaIe sIudenIs
have Ieen remarLaIIy acIIve In Ihe -TransIormDH InIIIaIIve IhaI exIores
Ihe InIersecIIons oI Ihe dIIIaI humanIIIes vIIh race, ender, and sexuaI
IIy |IoIhIan and PhIIIIs].) AIonsIde caIIs Ior oIIIIcs are vIsIons oI vhaI
1aIme BIanco names an eIhIcaI Iurn (g), vIIh Ihe Berne DH Summer
SchooI DecIaraIIon on Besearch IIhIcs In Ihe dIIIaI humanIIIes asLIn
racIIIIoners and admInIsIraIors Io reecI on Ihe envIronmenIaI and socIaI
consequences oI IechnoIoy IoeIher vIIh IoIaI InequaIIIIes In access
Io schoIarIy InIormaIIon and dIIIaI IIIeracIes and Io adoI a duIy oI care
Iovards recarIousIy emIoyed sIa.
The ImorIance oI Ihese dIrecIIves Is, one hoes, IndIsuIaIIe,
IuI Ihey resume a Iven InsIIIuIIonaI enIIIy IhaI Is IasLed vIIh cerIaIn
oIIIIcaI and eIhIcaI resonsIIIIIIIes. WhaI II ve vere InsIead Io exIend
KIrschenIaums accounI oI Ihe dIIIaI humanIIIes as a tactical term and
IaLe a IacIIcaI medIa aroach Io Ihe eId Hov mIhI ve IhInL aIouI Ihe
sInIcance oI asymmeIrIc InIervenIIons manIIesIed In hacLIIvIsm, neI
vorLed arI, and erIormance In reIaIIon Io InsIIIuIIonaI and InIrasIrucIuraI
InvesImenI, Ihe saIIoIemoraI horIzon oI vhIch Is marLedIy dIerenI Irom
more ImmedIaIe IacIIcaI evenIs vIIh an oeraIIonaI eId cIrcumscrIIed
as Ihe nexI ve mInuIes Hov mIhI CrIIIcaI ArI InsemIIes deIInea
IIon oI IacIIcs as ImmedIaIe, ad hoc, and rounded In communIIy and
concreIe cIrcumsIance InIorm a dIIIaI humanIsIs IhInLIn aIouI racIIce
and meIhod The eId Is admIIIedIy somevhaI cIuIIered vIIh manIIesIos
and rnos, IuI II seems arorIaIe Io suesI IhaI a IruIy IacIIcaI aroach
Io Ihe dIIIaI humanIIIes vouId necessIIaIe Ihe IoIIovIn:
:) a sIrucIuraI shIII avay Irom Ihe quesIIon oI vhaI Is or Is noI
roerIy DH and an oenness Io aII manner oI IacIIcs, IooIs, and
IechnIques, an oenness Io a IuraIIIy oI aroaches and a
consIeIIaIIon oI conceIs; a corresondIn aIandonmenI oI
aIIemIs Io x Ihe dIIIaI humanIIIes as a monoIIIhIc enIIIy vIIh
an onIoIoIcaI core (ood, Iad, darL);
z) Ihe seeLIn oI aIIIances reardIess oI dIerences IhaI may Ie
meIhodoIoIcaI and IheoreIIcaI, aesIheIIc and oIIIIcaI; a reard
In oI DH as a means oI creaIIn Iemorary consensus zones
(IovInL z:; see aIso ShaIro);
) exIoIIaIIon oI Ihe InevIIaIIe socIaIIechnIcaI ehemeraIIIy oI
a eId aIIned vIIh IechnoIoIcaI deveIomenI, vhose archIves,
cenIers, and IaIs are a verIIaIIe raveyard oI dIscarded IooIs and
rojecIs (IovInL and BossIIer o); cauIIon aaInsI IureaucraIIc
sIasIs and IanIasIes oI InsIIIuIIonaI ermanence; consIderaIIon
oI vhaI Is made ossIIIe vhen Ihe emhasIs shIIIs Irom annuaI
resuIIs and InIrasIrucIuraI deveIomenI Io Ihe here and nov;
) varIness oI Iodovn admInIsIraIIve aendas and dIrecIIves
IhaI vouId harness creaIIve enerIes Ior uIIIcIIy and roI;
reconIIIon oI Ihe consIraInIs IhaI ranI cycIes Imose on IhouhI
and racIIce and a more IronIc and LnovIn neoIIaIIon oI
InsIIIuIIonaI demands Ior ImacI, ouIcomes, resuIIs;
) conIzance and even acceIance oI ones arasIIIc reIaIIon
shI Io Ihe InsIIIuIIon as hosI; conIInuous adaIaIIon Io cIrcum
sIance and envIronmenI IhaI endeavors InsIead Io aroxImaIe
symIIosIs.
A IacIIcaI medIaInIormed aroach Io Ihe dIIIaI humanIIIes
vouId IeIn Irom Ihe roIIem oI denIIIon and codIcaIIon. II Is dIcuII Io
ImaIne a DH currIcuIum, much Iess a course, IhaI vouId saIIsIacIorIIy IraIn
sIudenIs In dIerenI modes oI IexI anaIysIs and reservaIIon, vIsuaIIzaIIon
IechnIques, and cis (eorahIc InIormaIIon sysIems) aIIcaIIons, aIon
vIIh medIa arIs and IIIeraIure and a hIIosohIcaI aroach Io InIormaI
Ics. So, Ioo, Ihe dIversIIy oI arIIsIs and InIervenIIons IhaI mIhI IausIIIy Ie
Iaed as IacIIcaIIrom Ihe BarIIe IIIeraIIon OranIzaIIon Io Ihe deveIo
menI oI moIIIe IaIs and aIIernaIIve neIvorLs such as WI BedouInmaLes
Ior a raIher unvIeIdy Iaxonomy. In each InsIance, Ihe varIeIy oI vorL IhaI
couId Ie so cIassIed sIreIches Ihe descrIIIve caIeory Io a LInd oI IImII. BuI
II Is recIseIy IhIs aIsIracIIon IhaI maLes II ossIIIe Io arIIcuIaIe Iemorary,
nonessenIIaI commonaIIIIes amon dIsaraIe racIIces.
Irom Ihe Anarchist Cookbook Io The Culture Jammers Encyclo-
pedia Io Ihe more recenI Beautiful Trouble: A Toolbox for Revolution, Ihere
are a numIer oI uIdeIooLs Ior dIrecI acIIon: hov Io reverse enIneer, hov
Io saIoIae, hov Io oranIze a cIovn roIesI, aII recIes Ior dIsasIer ouI
IInIn IacIIcs Ior synerIzIn arIIsIIc racIIce and oIIIIcaI acIIon. Manu
aIs rescrIIeIhey IIIusIraIe hov IoIuI Ihey are aIso a means Iy vhIch
Io documenI exerIences, share InIormaIIon, and IuIId a LnovIede Iase.
TacIIcaI acIIvIIIes are IncreasInIy Iramed In Ierms oI communIIy and InIra
sIrucIuraI InvesImenI, and Ihe resuII has Ieen a roIIIeraIIon oI communIIy
IaIs and ardens and aIIernaIIve sysIems oI exchane. To IaLe a IacIIcaI,
medIaInIormed aroach Io Ihe dIIIaI humanIIIes Is Ihus Io renev ones
commIImenIs Io Ihe sharIn oI LnovIedenoI sImIy reIerences and IInLs
IuI, more ImorIanI, Ideas. The DHCommons and uns1nc SchoIars roram
are exemIary InsIances. IquaIIy necessary are DH IaIs IhaI IuncIIon as
maLer communIIIes In IheIr IocaI conIexIs. The Scanner PraxIs rojecI In
our TranscrIIIons CenIer evInces IhIs oiY sensIIIIIIy. Ied Iy my coIIeaue
1eremy DouIass, a Ieam recenIIy IuIII a IovcosI IooL scanner Irom arIs
usIn oen hardvare and soIIvare. DesIned as a resource Ior Ihe dearI
menI as a vhoIe, II maLes dIIIIzaIIon rocesses vIsIIIe and InvIIes dIaIoue
aIouI Ihe medIaI and conceIuaI reIaIIons IeIveen Ihe oiY scanner and
Ihe muIIIurose coy machIne In our admInIsIraIIve oce. As has Ieen
IrequenIIy noIed, academIc dIscIIInes Iend Iovard sIIo consIrucIIon aI
Ihe exense oI IruIy IransdIscIIInary coIIaIoraIIon (IovInL and BossIIer
b). The dIIIaI humanIIIes Is In a osIIIon Io resenI a chaIIene Io Ihese
IsoIaIIn sIrucIures II II can resIsI Ihe Iure oI aIenIs, IrademarLs, and Irand
IdenIIIIes, IhaI Is, II II rIorIIIzes sharIn over ovnershI.
The Iesson one vouId IILe Io IhInL IhaI Ihe InIversIIy oI CaII
IornIa Oce oI Ihe PresIdenI had Io Iearn vIIh IIs aIIemI Io modernIze IIs
Ioo Is IhaI InIerIaces and cororaIIons aIILe have shorI IIIe sans. Indeed,
Ihe vhoIe oI Ihe InsIIIuIIonaI and socIaI Iandscae oI vorL Is aruaIIy
marLed Iy a LInd oI shorIIermIsm: Iemorary vorL, IreeIance roduc
IIon, adjuncI IeachIn, orIIoIIo careers and rojecIdrIven joIs (IovInL
and BossIIer z). DIIIaI humanIIIes cenIers are no exceIIon, arIIcuIarIy
Ihose IhaI need conIInuaIIy Io secure ranI IundIn Ior sIa saIarIes. And
Ihe IechnoIoIcaI envIronmenI Is oI course IIseII sIrucIured In reIaIIon Io
Ihe InIervaI: versIons, udaIes, and Ihe haIIIIves oI hard drIves, oIIcaI
medIa, IaIIorms, aIIcaIIons, and devIces. To exIoII socIaIIechnIcaI
ehemeraIIIy Is noI, hovever, necessarIIy Io recaIIuIaIe Ihe osIIndusIrIaI
IoIc oI shorIIermIsm. II Is, raIher, Io seIze Ihe oorIunIIy Io exerImenI In
and Ior Ihe resenI, vIIhouI Ihe execIaIIon IhaI ones acIIvIIIes necessarIIy
evenIuaIe In a consumaIIe or cIIaIIe roducI. IhemeraIIIy In Ihe Iorm oI
aIsenI or veaL InIrasIrucIure can Ie an asseI raIher Ihan a IIaIIIIIy.
A Ley IouchsIone here Is KavIIa PhIII, IIIIy IranI, and PauI
DourIshs arIIcuIaIIon oI osIcoIonIaI comuIIn as a IacIIcaI aroach
Io IechnoscIence:
Tactics lead not to the true or nal design solution but to the
contingent and collaborative construction of other narratives.
These other narratives remain partial and approximate, but they
are irrevocably opened up to problematization. Such instability
might earlier have been viewed as a problem (stability implying
lack of truth, contingency showing lack of universality), but per-
haps we can recognize, now, how instability can be a strength,
not a weakness, of technoscientic practice and theory. ()
The auIhors emIrace oI uncerIaInIy Is an eIhIcaI and oIIIIcaI reIusaI oI
eIsIemIc cIosure. TacIIcs are desIned Io roduce oenended quesIIons
raIher Ihan denIIIve ansvers, Io Iead Io nev dIscovery raIher Ihan dIa
nosIIc evaIuaIIon, such IhaI Ihe researcher remaIns conIInuaIIy avare oI
Ihe mechanIcs oI LnovIede roducIIon and aIIuned Io Ihe ossIIIIIIIes oI
aIIernaIe IechnIques, Irames, and aradIms.
A IacIIcaI aroach Io Ihe dIIIaI humanIIIes vouId mean exerI
menIIn raIher Ihan deIIverIn, IuIIdIn roIoIyes Io IesI a conceI vIIhouI
Ihe deIermInaIIon Io acIuaIIze, reardIess oI cIrcumsIance or dIscovery.
IoIIovIn DrucLer and uncerIaIn commons, II vouId mean secuIaIIn
raIher Ihan rescrIIIn or rorammIn ouIcomes, armIn raIher Ihan
IorecIosIn IaIenI oIenIIaIIIIes. AnIIcIaIIn marLeI IesIIn and erIor
mance assessmenI consIraIns Ihe ImaInaIIon Io vhaI vIII vorL InsIead
oI vhaI can Ie. BeardIn aII IuIIdIn as InherenIIy In a mIddIe sIaIe
IeIveen execuIIon and comIeIIon means, raIher, IhaI Ihe IemoraI scoe
oI rojecIs Is noI IechnoIoIcaIIy dened and IhaI emhasIs IaIIs on rocess
raIher Ihan ouIcome. A IacIIcaI aroach vouId, moreover, noI seeL Io
manae creaIIve acIIvIIy In accordance vIIh IesI racIIces or IrederIcL
TayIors one IesI vay.
The dIIIaI humanIIIes shouId noI, and cannoI, Iear Ihe Iurden
oI IransIormIn Iechnocracy, Ihe academIccororaIe sIIuaIIon In vhIch ve
are aII mIred. BuI vIIhIn IhaI sIIuaIIon, II has Ihe caacIIy Io IInLer vIIh Ihe
symIoIIc order oI comuIIn, such IhaI II Is noI uIIImaIeIy consIraIned Iy an
aenda oI ecIency, raIIonaIIIy, and oIImIzaIIon. The InsIIIuIe Ior AIIed
AuIonomy, a IacIIcaI voo oranIzaIIon, Is a case In oInI. WIIh conIesIa
IIonaI roIoIIcs rojecIs IhaI arorIaIe deIenseIndusIry rheIorIc aIouI
Ihe uIIIIIy oI invs (unmanned aerIaI vehIcIes), Ihey osIIIon IhemseIves
as Trojan horses vho have Ieen aIIe Io InIIraIe enIneerIn cuIIure
and reecI crIIIcaIIy uon II Ihrouh IayIuI InIervenIIons (gg). 1usI as inn
memIers erIorm as enIneers In order Io undermIne Ihe IanaI comromIse
oI IureaucraIIc ramaIIsm, one mIhI ImaIne hov Ihe exerImenIaI and
IayIuI acIIvIIIes oI dIIIaI humanIsIs couId IhvarI execIaIIons oI ecIenI
acIIvIIy, oI eIIIn IhIns done, and chaIIene Ihe IechnocraIIc caIcuIus
oI ouIuI (BeII ).
SemanIIc IaIIIes aIouI Ihe InsIIIuIIonaI IdenIIIy oI Ihe dIIIaI
humanIIIes are a symIom oI a dIscIIIne IhaI Is erhas overIy xaIed uon
maLIn a ermanenI sace Ior IIseII vIIhIn InsIIIuIIons. II erhas oes
vIIhouI sayIn IhaI InIrasIrucIure and a hysIcaI InsIIIuIIonaI resence
IacIIIIaIe IundraIsIn and raIse Ihe roIe oI IradIIIonaI dearImenIs and
academIc dIvIsIons. BuI rojecIs and rorams shouId noI Ie IuIII Io secI
caIIons as acIuaIIzaIIons oI vIsIon sIaIemenIs IhaI IorecIose Ihe ossIIIIIIy
oI ImrovIsaIIon. DIIIaI humanIIIes InIIIaIIves vouId do veII Io remaIn
adaIaIIe Io nev sIIuaIIons and coIIaIoraIIons and noI use esIaIIIshed reaI
esIaIe as Ihe reIexI Ior maInIaInIn Ihe sIaIus quo. SomeIImes Ihe moIIIe
communIIy IIIrary Is reIeraIIe Io Ihe archIIecIuraI monumenI. Ad hoc Ior
maIIons are esecIaIIy IdeaI Ior InsIIIuIIons nev Io Ihe ame Iecause Ihey
are sIIuaIIonaI and oIIen Insure a more oranIc connecIIon vIIh exIsIIn
research and edaoIc racIIces.
As a descrIIor, dIIIaI humanIIIes need noI cIrcumscrIIe
or mandaIe. II can, In Ihe more ordInary sense oI tactical, IacIIIIaIe Ihe
reconIIIon oI conIInuIn IInes oI eorI In IoIh creaIIve roducIIon and
crIIIcaI anaIysIs. BureaucraIIzaIIon has noI IuIIy caIured DH and crysIaI
IIzed IIs InsIIIuIIonaI IdenIIIy. WIIh a more exansIve and exIIIe sense
oI Ihe eId, ve mIhI conIInue Io secuIaIe coIIaIoraIIveIy uon a Iess
InsIrumenIaI IuIure Ior Ihe humanIIIes as a vhoIe, one IhaI IrIns InIo Iay
Ihe aordances oI dIIIaI medIa IuI does so vIIh a measured sLeIIcIsm
IhaI mIhI serve as a Iuer aaInsI Ihe IrraIIonaI exuIerance IhaI Ioo oIIen
characIerIzes Ihe admInIsIraIIve IramIn oI our rojecIs, InIIIaIIves, and
enIrereneurIaI eorIs.
vi1n vnLrY Is AssocIaIe ProIessor oI InIIsh aI Ihe InIversIIy oI CaIIIornIa, SanIa BarIara.
She Is Ihe auIhor oI Tactical Media (InIversIIy oI MInnesoIa Press, zoog), coedIIor oI Ihe Elec-
tronic Literature Collection, \oI. z (IIecIronIc IIIeraIure OranIzaIIon, zo::), and has more
recenIIy uIIIshed arIIcIes In Contemporary Literature, minnesota review, and Ihe edIIed
coIIecIIons Raw Data Is an Oxymoron and Comparative Textual Media: Transforming the
Humanities in the Postprint Era.
: Some oI Ihe more vIdeIy cIrcu
IaIed accounIs oI Ihe hIsIory oI
Ihe dIIIaI humanIIIes as a eId In
reIaIIon Io humanIIIes comuIIn
and nev medIa sIudIes IncIude
Berry, ComuIaIIonaI; HayIes;
KIrschenIaum, WhaI Is; IIu,
SIaIe; SchreIIman, SIemens,
and InsvorIh; Svensson; and
InsvorIh.
z In hIs IhouhIIuI IecIure Io Ihe
DIIIaI HumanIIIes Summer InsII
IuIe In zo:o, InsvorIh oIIIeIy
dIsmIssed Ihe ImeraIIve Io dene
vho Is and vho Is noI doIn DH
roerIy and suesIed IhaI Ihe
eId needs Io remaIn oen Io a
nev eneraIIon oI schoIars vho
have come oI ae vIIh WILIedIa
and UooIe BooLs and are IhInL
In aIouI Ihe creaIIve use oI dIIIaI
IooIs vIIhouI necessarIIy IeIn
mIndIuI oI Ihe hIsIory oI humanI
IIes comuIIn or oI dIscIIInary
IaIIIes.
\arIaIIons on Ihese Ihemes are
uIIquIIous, IuI Ihe mosI reduc
IIve sIaIemenIs are, as one mIhI
execI, oIIen encounIered In IIo
commenIs and :ocharacIer
IveeIs. The arumenI Ior Ihe scI
enIIc InquIry and quanIIIaIIve
InvesIIaIIon (recIse measure
menI) oI cuIIuraI Irends aears
In one oI Ihe InauuraI sIaIemenIs
on cuIIuromIcs (MIcheI eI aI. :b).
In conIrasI, Ihe annuaI A Day In
Ihe IIIe oI Ihe DIIIaI HumanI
IIes Is a serIous aIIemI aI edu
caIIonaI ouIreach (cenIerNeI). In
IheIr voIunIary documenIaIIon
oI scheduIes, acIIvIIIes, and even
IodIIy rhyIhms, arIIcIaIIn
dIIIaI humanIsIs endeavor Io
IransIaIe Ihe vorL oI Ihe eId Io a
Iay audIence.
Many oI Ihe essays In Debates in
the Digital Humanities (UoId)
emere Irom or oIhervIse resond
Io Ihe conversaIIons durIn and
aIIer Ihe zo:: convenIIon, arIIcu
IarIy Ihose occasIoned Iy aers
Irom Bamsay and IIu (Where Is).
b On Ihe enesIs oI Ihe aIIac
movemenI, see NovvIsLIe.
HeroIc IndIvIduaI eorIs asIde,
II Is, I IrusI, noI conIroversIaI Io
suesI IhaI Ihe \Ln as an oranI
zaIIon vas sIov Io maLe sIrucIuraI
adjusImenIs IhaI vouId reecI Ihe
roIound IransIormaIIons In our
medIaI envIronmenIs and rac
IIces and IhaI, Irom one anIe, II Is
ossIIIe Io read Ihe overenIhusIas
IIc emIrace oI socIaI neIvorLIn
IaIIorms, arIIcuIarIy TvIIIer, as
somevhaI comensaIory.
8 Anyone vho has vrIIIen an exIer
naI ranI aIIcaIIon and IhouhI
aIouI vays Io Increase cosIshare
Notes
Ior overhead vIII have a Ioo InII
maIe LnovIede oI Ihe Ierms oI
measuraIIe ImacI. AI my ovn
InsIIIuIIon, cosIshare Is nov
Lnovn as rojecI conIrIIuIIons,
vhIch maLes Ihe IndeIIedness
IhaI accomanIes Ihe III more
aarenI.
g Ior caIIs Ior a humanIsIIc under
sIandIn oI IechnoIoy, see Berry,
Understanding; IraIeIII. AIso see
IIormonIe on Ihe cuIIuraI, oIIII
caI, IInuIsIIc IIas oI dIIIaI sIan
dards, roIocoIs, and InIerIaces
(g).
:o BeInnIn In :gg, Ihe DuIch MIn
IsIry oI IoreIn AaIrs Iunded Iour
N\ evenIs as arI oI a roram Io
sIImuIaIe InIernaIIonaI cuIIuraI
cooeraIIon. The IesIIvaIs dId noI
Iead Io a convenIIonaI InsIIIuIIonaI
InIrasIrucIure vIIh sIrucIuraI
IundIn and sIandard racIIces,
IuI Ihere are even nov a sInI
canI numIer oI IacIIcaI medIa coI
IecIIves, IaIs, and cenIers around
Ihe vorId (NexI MInuIes). The
denIIIve resource Is Tactical
Media Files, a IIvIn archIve IhaI
connecIs asI and resenI.
:: Berry, CrIIIcaI; cnr reIers Io
IacIIcaI medIa vIIh some rereI
as Ihe aII.everyIhIn oI cuIIure
and oIIIIcs (IramIn ). The
Iendency Iovard Ihe denIIIve and
sInuIar versIon and Ihe sIaIIIIz
In oI ad hoc racIIces as IesI
racIIces are Ihe InevIIaIIe con
sequences oI a dIscursIve Irame;
here, Ihe araIIeIs vIIh DH as
an InsIIIuIIonaI enIIIy shouId Ie
evIdenI.
:z IIu remInds us IhaI Ihe evoIu
IIonary aIh oI Ihe dIIIaI muIa
IIon, as II vere, Is IIIIered vIIh
Ihe dead IodIes oI hun servers,
hacLed sIIes, and aIorIed cIasses
(DIIIaI :8).
: As anoIher examIe, consIder
Ihe acIIvIIIes and uIIIcaIIons oI
Ihe CrImeIhInc. CoIIecIIve, es.
Recipes for Disaster: An Anarchist
Cookbook. BeIaIed are oen
source soIIvare IaIIorms Ior
Ihe sharIn oI resources such as
oiY for Vagabonds: Tactics on the
Move.
: Ior varIed documenIaIIon oI
mIddIesIaIe arIIIacIs, see Ihe
MedIaCommons cIusIer Bouh
CuIs, edIIed Iy KarI Kraus.
AIvarado, BaIaeI C. The DIIIaI HumanIIIes SIIuaIIon. UoId .
BeII, DanIeI. The Coming of Post-Industrial Society. Nev YorL: BasIc, :g.
Berne ouss DecIaraIIon oI Besearch IIhIcs In DIIIaI HumanIIIes. WrIIIen coIIaIoraIIveIy aI
Ihe DIIIaI HumanIIIes Summer SchooI zo:. hIIs://docs.ooIe.com/documenI/d/:AM1o
qSoWhNIIdIozI\qSjczLumUIhIoNKcYI (accessed Nov. zo:).
Berry, DavId M. The ComuIaIIonaI Turn: ThInLIn aIouI Ihe DIIIaI HumanIIIes. Culture
Machine :z (zo::): :zz. hII://vvv.cuIIuremachIne.neI/Index.h/cm/arIIcIe/vIevArIIcIe/o.
. CrIIIcaI DIIIaI HumanIIIes. stunlaw :o 1an. zo:. hII://sIunIav.IIosoI
.com/zo:/o:/crIIIcaIdIIIaIhumanIIIes.hImI.
. Understanding Digital Humanities. BasInsIoLe: PaIrave MacmIIIan, zo:z.
BIanco, 1amIe SLye. ThIs DIIIaI HumanIIIes WhIch Is NoI One. UoId gb::z.
BurdIcL, Anne, 1ohanna DrucLer, PeIer IunenIeId, and Todd Presner. Digital Humanities.
CamIrIde: \i1 , zo:z.
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PhIII, KavIIa, IIIIy IranI, and PauI DourIsh. PosIcoIonIaI ComuIIn: A TacIIcaI Survey.
Science, Technology, and Human Values g.: (zo:o): :z.
Bamsay, SIehen. Whos In and Whos OuI. IecIure. The HIsIory and IuIure oI Ihe DIIIaI
HumanIIIes aneI. \Ln AnnuaI ConvenIIon, Ios AneIes, cn. 1an. zo::. SIehen Bamsay
ersonaI veIsIIe. hII://Ienz.unI.edu/aers/zo::/o:/o8/vhosInandvhosouI.hImI (accessed
:8 OcI. zo:z).
BeadIns, BIII. The University in Ruins. CamIrIde: Harvard i, :ggb.
BocLveII, Ueorey. IncIusIon In Ihe DIIIaI HumanIIIes. Ueorey BocLveII ersonaI veIsIIe.
hII://vvv.hIIosohI.ca/mvILI.h/MaIn/IncIusIonInTheDIIIaIHumanIIIes (accessed
zz 1uIy zo:).
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IIes ComuIIn: An InIroducIIon. A Companion to Digital Humanities. Id. Susan SchreIIman,
Bay SIemens, and 1ohn InsvorIh. MaIden: BIacLveII, zoo. xxIIIxxvII.
SIauhIer, SheIIa, and Uary Bhoades. Academic Capitalism and the New Economy: Markets,
State, and Higher Education. BaIIImore: 1ohns HoLIns i, zoog.
SIro, IIsa. ThIs Is Why We IIhI: DenIn Ihe \aIues oI Ihe DIIIaI HumanIIIes. UoId :b.
SIIeIer, Bernard. BeIaIIonaI IcoIoy and Ihe DIIIaI Pharmakon. Culture Machine : (zo:z):
::g. hII://vvv.cuIIuremachIne.neI/Index.h/cm/arIIcIe/vIev/b/o:.
Svensson, PaIrIL. HumanIIIes ComuIIn as DIIIaI HumanIIIes. Digital Humanities Quar-
terly . (zoog). hII://dIIIaIhumanIIIes.or/dhq/voI///oooob/oooob.hImI (accessed zz
1uIy zo:).
Tactical Media Files. hII://vvv.IacIIcaImedIaIes.neI (accessed zz 1uIy zo:).
icLn MeIIon SemInar In DIIIaI HumanIIIes. The DIIIaI HumanIIIes ManIIesIo z.o. A
Digital Humanities Manifesto zg May zoog. hII://manIIesIo.humanIIIes.ucIa.edu/zoog/o/zg
/IhedIIIaIhumanIIIesmanIIesIozo.
icsv DearImenI oI InIIsh. IacuIIy 1oI Search In DIIIaI HumanIIIes. hII://oIdsIIe
.enIIsh.ucsI.edu/evenIsdeIaII.asIvenIID=: (accessed zz 1uIy zo:).
IncerIaIn Commons. Speculate This! Durham: DuLe i, zo:.
InsvorIh, 1ohn. The SIaIe oI DIIIaI HumanIIIes, zo:o. IecIure. DIIIaI HumanIIIes Summer
InsIIIuIe, 1une zo:o. hII://eoIe.IIs.IIIInoIs.edu/~unsvorIh/sIaIe.oI.dh.DHSI.dI (accessed
zz 1uIy zo:).
\eIIen, ThorsIeIn. The Theory of the Leisure Class. BosIon: HouhIon MIIn, :g.
WIIIIams, Ueore H. DIsaIIIIIy, InIversaI DesIn, and Ihe DIIIaI HumanIIIes. UoId zoz:z.
\oIumez,NumIer: ooi:o.:z:/:oog:zzoog
1nvn\curvsoN
Designing for Dierence
1nhIsuroseIuIIyrovocaIIveessay,WhereIsIheCuIIuraI
CrIIIcIsm In Ihe DIIIaI HumanIIIes, AIan IIu arues IhaI Ihe dIIIaI
humanIIIesarenoIIceaIIymIssInInacIIononIhecuIIuraIcrIIIcaIscene.
WhIIedIIIaIhumanIsIsdeveIoIooIs,daIa,andmeIadaIacrIIIcaIIy,|. . .]
rareIydoIheyexIendIheIrcrIIIqueIoIheIuIIreIsIeroIsocIeIy,economIcs,
oIIIIcs,orcuIIure(g:).WhIIeIIuuseIuIIyInsIsIsIhaIourcurrenIoIIII
caImomenIdemandsIhaIIhedIIIaIhumanIIIesmusIenaeIoIhIheory
andoIIIIcs,suchdeIaIesarenoIenIIreIynev.MarIhaNeIISmIIh,amon
oIhers, has Ior many years narraIed a arIIcuIar hIsIory oI humanIIIes
comuIIn(asIheeIdvasLnovnIeIoreIIsreIrandInunderIhesInoI
IhedIIIaIhumanIIIes)asaLIndoIreacIIonIormaIIonIoIheconcerns
IhaIhadIaLenoversomuchacademIcvorLInIIIeraIure|Ihose]oIender,
race,cIass,sexuaIIIy().TheresenIessayconsIderssomerecenIvarIa
IIons on IhIs deIaIe around Ihe roIe oI cuIIuraI Iheory vIIhIn Ihe dIIIaI
humanIIIesandIIscIoseanaIosInorderIoarueIoraIheoreIIcaIIyexIIcII
IormoIdIIIaIraxIsvIIhInIhedIIIaIhumanIIIes.IIIaLesserIousIyUary
HaIIsrecenIcIaImIhaIIheveryoaIsoIcrIIIcaIIheoryandoIquanIIIaIIve
178 Designing for Diference
orcomuIaIIonaIanaIysIsmayInIacIIeIncommensuraIIeor,aIIhevery
IeasI, IhaI IheIr roducIIve comIInaIIon vIII requIre Iar more IIme and
care|. . .]IhanhasIeendevoIedIoIIIhusIar.Assuch,IasLvhaIIImIhI
meanIodesInIromIheIrveryconceIIondIIIaIIooIsandaIIcaIIons
IhaIemereIromIheconcernsoIcuIIuraIIheoryand,InarIIcuIar,Iroma
IemInIsIconcernIordIerence.
ThIs need Io aIIend vIIh more IIme and care Io Ihe oIenIIaI
InIersecIIonsoIIheoryandIhedIIIaIhumanIIIeshasIeenIhesuIjecIoI
recenIandoIIenheaIedonIInedIscussIons,conIerenceaneIs,andvarI
ousuIIIcaIIons.UrousoIemerInschoIarshaveoranIzedundersuch
ruIrIcs as -TransIormDH and -DHPoco In order Io caIaIyze jusI such
exchanes, as has Ihe recenIIy Iormed IemTechNeI oranIzaIIon. One
onIIneIorumInIIIaIedIyAdeIIneKohandBooILaBIsamonIhePuIuIu
nuI 1,IuI HumunIIIoInMayzo:IosIeredaIIveIyandsomeIImes
heaIeddeIaIeInresonseIoIhequesIIonIsDHareIueIromrace/cIass/
ender/sexuaIIIyWhIIeIvIIInoIaIIemIIosummarIzeIhaIconversa
IIonhere(KohandBIsamhaveunderIaLenasummaryeIsevhereonIheIr
IIo, romIIn even more conversaIIon and a shared UooIe doc), I do
vanIIozeroInonaIevoInIsInIheexchaneIosIaeIheIeInnInsoI
a cIaIm Ior a arIIcuIar mode oI enacIIn Ihe dIIIaI humanIIIes (or, IoI
IovInKaIIeKIn,onemIhIsayreenacIInIhehumanIIIes).InIerIn
IheIorumsIrayIyIaInonhIshone,IanBoosIvroIe:OnIheone
hand,anyonevhoIeIIevescomuIaIIonaIIaIIormsareIransarenIdoesnI
reaIIyundersIandIhoseIaIIorms.BuIonIheoIherhand,aIIIndIocuson
IdenIIIyoIIIIcsaIoveaIIoIherconcernshasarIIyrevenIedhumanIsIs
IromdeeIyexIorInIheIechnIcaInaIureoIcomuIersysIemsInorderIo
rasIhoseveryundersIandIns.BoosIsInsIsIenceIhaIvemusIexIore
IheIechnIcaInaIureoIIhecomuIerresonaIesvIIhvarIousIormuIaIIons
oIIhedIIIaIhumanIIIes,evenIIBoosIhImseIImIhInoIcIaImmemIer
shI In IhaI arIIcuIar IrIIe. II aIIns as veII vIIh a ood deaI oI dIIIaI
medIasIudIes,IncIudInhardvareandsoIIvaresIudIes,vhereBoosIs
research has Ieen quIIe roIIc and ImorIanI. II Is an InsIhI IhaI has
aIso IueIed my ovn vorL. In Ihe conversaIIon IhaI unsooIs IhrouhouI
IheIhread,heoesonIooIserveIhaIdoInhardvareandsoIIvaresIud
IessomeIImesrequIresoneIoIracLeIIdenIIIyevenIIjusIIoramomenI,
InorderIoIearnsomeIhInInIheIaIIersservIce.BuIIhoseoIusvhodo
IhaI vorL are IrequenIIy chIde|d] Ior IaIIIn Io Iocus aII enery and aII
aIIenIIonaIaIIIImesonIheaccusersnoIIonoIvhaIcomrIsesIheenIIre
dIscourseonsocIaIjusIIce.CerIaInIy,IIIshardIosusIaInaIocusaIaII
IImesonIheenIIredIscourseoIsocIaIjusIIcevhIIeunderIaLInIech
nIcaI(oranyoIher)InvesIIaIIons,IuIIndIvoIhInsesecIaIIycurIous
InIhIsIormuIaIIon.IIrsI,IIIsInIeresIInIhaIaIorumorIInaIIyIramed
quIIeIroadIyasaIouIIheInIermInIInoIrace,cIass,ender,sexuaIIIy
anddIsaIIIIIyInIhedIIIaIhumanIIIesquIcLIymovesIoadIscussIonoI
IdenIIIyoIIIIcsasIhenaIuraIorIILeIyIerraInIorsuchconcerns.IaIer
InIheIorum,AnneBaIsamooIservesIhaIIherearecerIaInIymanyvaysIo
addressquesIIonsoIIemInIsmandoIdIerenceIhaIdonoInarrovIydeIauII
IoIdenIIIyoIIIIcs,andsheoInIsIheIorumIovardIhevorLoIIemInIsI
hIIosoherKarenBarad.InherIooL1,nn, CuIIu. T TnuIu,uI
1mu,nuIun uI !uI,BaIsamoIuIIdsuonBaradsIheoryoIInIraacIIons
In order Io deveIo a comIex modeI oI desIn racIIce IhaI undersIands
Ihe reIaIIonshI IeIveen maIerIaIIIy and dIscursIvIIy, IeIveen oIjecIs
andsuIjecIs,andIeIveennaIureandcuIIureIoIeuId,oenended,and
conIInenI.InsuchamodeI,desIn(oIIechnoIoIes,oIsoIIvare,oIcode)
roceedsIromanacLnovIedmenIoIourmessyenIanIemenIsvIIhmaI
Ier and vIIh each oIher. Ior Barad, To Ie enIanIed Is noI sImIy Io Ie
InIerIvInedvIIhanoIher,asInIhejoInInoIsearaIeenIIIIes,IuIIoIacL
anIndeendenI,seIIconIaInedexIsIence(!nuIx).
UIvenIhIsIormuIaIIon,asecondeIemenIoIIheIorumexchane
cIIed aIove sIands ouI: Ihe noIIon oI Ihe IracLeIIn oI IdenIIIy or oIher
sInsoIcuIIureIhaImIhIrevenIoneIromaccessInIheIechnIcaInaIure
oIIhecomuIer.SImIIarIdeassurIaceInanumIeroImomenIsacrossIhe
dIscussIon.IorInsIance,AndrevSmarIoIservesIhaIdIIIaIIechnoIoy,aI
IIsIovesIIeveI,reIIesonIhehysIcaIIavsoIhovInIormaIIonIsreresenIed
InvoIIae.ThevaycomuIersandneIvorLsvorLIsdeIermIned(ormayIe
veryconsIraIned)IyIheIavsoIhysIcs.TheIendencyIodescrIIecom
uIaIIonasaserIesoIIeveIsIncreasInIyaIsIracIedIromcuIIuresurIaces
In oIher onIIne venues as veII. A IurIher InIeresIIn examIe Is Iound aI
1umIdu I !IImuI,asIIeIhaIdeaIsvIIhIssuesdIrecIIyreIaIedIoro
rammInIanuaesandIsIareIyouIaIedIyrorammers.OnMay,
zo:o,TravIsBrovncreaIedaIorumIhereunderIheheadInCrIIIcaICode
SIudIes(ccs)asLInIheIamIdacommunIIyIoreecIonIheIdeaoIcrIII
caIcodesIudIesasarIIcuIaIedIynevmedIaschoIarMarLMarIno,IInLIn
IoacrandessayIyMarInoasveIIasIoessaysIyschoIarsN. KaIherIne
HayIesandBIIaBaIey.TheensuIndIscussIonIasIedseveraIdays.WhIIea
IevconIrIIuIorsvereInIrIuedIyIheossIIIIIIyIhaIcuIIuraIIheorymIhI
IeuseIuIInIhesIudyoIcode,manyveresLeIIcaIorrejecIedIheIdeaouI
oIhand.TyIcaIcommenIsIncIuded:
Tu I,n uI. ud un I u I)puduI u{ u u{Iuu d,n.
Cud un I uuIumu,uII) ,nuId {um u {umuI mudI, {u
nIun, u I nu uuIuuI unIuI [sIc] Iu Iud)
I. (uu uI uI, :c:cc;:; c8.:)
!uI 1 mun IuI I uuIu,uI upI u{ ud u nuI
n I ud II{, I) Iu. (uu uI Tu, :c:cc;:8 :).c;)
Juu uu I ud und I muI und I uunn, Ind I
ud, und )uu uu I Iu). BuI u nIIn, IuI uuId
I IuId puuII). (JuI JuuI uI 1, :c:cc;: ::.;))
In Ihese examIes, code IuncIIons much as SmarI ImaInes II does, In a
reaImdeIermInedIymaIh,hysIcs,orreason,aarIIromIhemessyreaIms
oIcuIIure.
ThIsIendencyIoIramecomuIaIIonaIIechnoIoIesInIeveIsIs
aIsoreecIedInIhedescrIIIonoIIheIooLserIesPIaIIormSIudIes,edIIed
IyBoosIandNIcLMonIorIIorIheMassachuseIIsInsIIIuIeoITechnoIoy
Press.OnIheveIsIIedescrIIInIheserIes,BoosIandMonIorIoeracharI
deIIneaIInvesIacLedIeveIsoIanaIysIsIornevmedIasIudIes;IromIo
IoIoIIom,IhesearereceIIon/oeraIIon,InIerIace,Iorm/IuncIIon,code,and
IaIIorm.TheIaIIormIsIramedasIheIoundaIIonIayer,anaIsIracIIon
IayerIeneaIhcodeandoIvIousIyIvenrImacyvIIhInIheserIesIIseII.A
IaIerrevIsIonoIIhIscharIInIheIrIooL!un, I BumencIosesIheve
IeveIsInaIoxIaIeIedcuIIureandconIexI,andIheauIhorssIressIhaIve
seeaIIoIIheseIeveIsnoIjusIIheIoIeveIoIreceIIonandoeraIIonas
IeInsIIuaIedIncuIIure,socIeIy,economy,andhIsIory(:).YeI,Ihevery
modeIoIdIscreIeIoxedIayersneaIIyencIosedInIheIarerIoxoIhIsIory
uIs InIo Iace a conceIuaI IramevorL IhaI undervaIues enIanIemenIs
and InIraacIIons, encouraIn a Iocus on IndIvIduaI Iayers raIher Ihan a
IocusonIhecomIexvaysInvhIchIheIayersIhemseIvescomeInIoIeIn,
deIIneaIe arIIcuIar ossIIIIIIIes and IoundarIes, and IorecIose oIenIIaI
IuIuresandIecomIns.OIvIousIy,veneedIoIocusourschoIarIyaIIenIIons
somevhere, on arIIcuIar IhIns, rocesses, or Ideas, IuI Ihe modeIs ve
vorLIromareImorIanI.ToIoIIovBarad,IImaIIermaIIers,uuveIocus
onmaIIeraIsomaIIers.
DesIIe IhIs crIIIque, I vaIue and Iearn Irom Ihe vorL oI code
andIaIIormsIudIes,IncIudInBoosIandMonIorIscareIuIexamInaIIons
oIsecIcIaIIorms,andIromIheracIIcesoIIhedIIIaIhumanIIIesmore
eneraIIy. I, Ioo, have vrIIIen aIouI hov hard II Is Io enIanIe examIna
IIonsoIcodevIIhcuIIuraIcrIIIque,hoveasyIIIsIoIveInIoIheIureoI
Ihe IracLeI. I have caIIed Ior humanIIIes schoIars Io IaLe code serIousIy
andIomaLeIhIns.BuIIaIsovorryIhaIIhedIIIaIhumanIIIes,code,and
IaIIormsIudIesaIIIoooIIencenIercomuIaIIonandIechnoIoyInavay
IhaI maLes InIraacIIon hard Io dIscern. In IacI, I have arued IhaI IhIs
conceIuaIIracLeIIn,IhIssInIInouIoIcodeIromcuIIure,IsIIseIIarI
andarceIoIIheoranIzaIIonoILnovIederoducIIonIhaIcomuIaIIon
hasdIssemInaIedaroundIhevorIdIorveIIoverIIyyears.InanessayIhaI
IracLsIheenIanIedhIsIorIcaImomenIIhaIroducedIoIhnevracIaIcodes
andnevIormsoIcomuIaIIon,ImaInIaInIhaIIhedeveIomenIoIcomuIer
oeraIInsysIemsaImIdcenIuryInsIaIIedanexIremeIoIcoImoduIarIIy
IhaIIIacLIoxedLnovIedeInamannerquIIesImIIarIoemerInIoIcs
oIracIaIvIsIIIIIIyandracIsm(McPherson).AnoeraIInsysIemIILeiNix
(anosIhaIdrIvesmosIoIourcomuIaIIon,dIrecIIyorIndIrecIIy)vorLsIy
removIn conIexI and decreasIn comIexIIy. IarIy comuIers Irom :go
Io:gbohadcomIex,InIerdeendenIdesInsIhaIvereremoduIar.BuIIhe
deveIomenIoIdaIaIasesvouIddeenduonIhemoduIarIIyoIiNixand
IanuaesIILeCandC++.WecanseeaIvorLhereIheIasIcconIoursoIan
aroachIoIhevorIdIhaIsearaIesoIjecIIromsuIjecI,causeIromeecI,
conIexI Irom code. I am suesIIn IhaI Ihere Is someIhIn arIIcuIar Io
IheveryIormsoIdIIIaIcuIIureIhaIencouraesjusIsuchaarIIIIonIn,
aorIIonInoIhaIaIsoIaysouIInIheIncreasInsecIaIIzaIIonoIaca
demIceIdsandevenInIheIormaIIonoImanymodesoIIdenIIIyoIIIIcs.
WeneedconceIuaImodeIsIorIhedIIIaIhumanIIIesandIordIIIaImedIa
sIudIesIhaIdonoIreIyuonIheIracLeI,IhemoduIe,IheIox,orIhearII
IIon.IemInIsIIheory,arIIcuIarIyIheorIesoIdIerence,hasmuchIooer
InIhIsreard.
ParIIcIanIsInIoIhIhe-DHPocoandIheIamIdaIorums,and
In Ihe dIIIaI humanIIIes more eneraIIy, caII on humanIIIes schoIars Io
IearnIocodeor,aIIheveryIeasI,IoacquIreadvancedIechnoIoIcaIIIIera
cIes.Iaree,IuIIvouIdaIsoIssuearecIrocaIcaIIIorcodInhumanIsIs
IoenaeIemInIsIhenomenoIoy,osIcoIonIaIIheory,andIheorIzaIIons
oI dIerence. Uender, race, sexuaIIIy, cIass, and dIsaIIIIIy mIhI Ihen Ie
undersIoodnoIasIhInsIhaIcansImIyIeaddedonIoouranaIyses(orIo
ourmeIadaIa),IuIInsIeadasoeraIInrIncIIesoIadIerenIorder,aIvays
aIreadycoursInIhrouhdIscourseandmaIIer.And,IIvecannoIsIudyaII
dIscourseandaIImaIIeraIonce,BaradoersunoIIheIracLeIIuIIheaen
IIaIcuIasameIhodIhrouhvhIch,InIheaIsenceoIacIassIcaIonIoIoIcaI
condIIIonoIexIerIorIIyIeIveenoIserverandoIserved,vemIhIenacIa
IocaIcausaIsIrucIureamoncomonenIsoIahenomenon(,n8:).II
IracLeIInIendsIorecaIIuIaIeIhemoduIarIIyoIcode,IreaIIndIerence
eIIheraIIheIeveIoIconIenI(I.e.,assomeIhInonIhescreenorsomeIhIn
IhaInarraIIveIsaIouI)oroIIacLround(I.e.,asarIoIIheIoxIhaIvras
aroundIechnoIoy),IhecuIIsuIdandmoIIIeevenasIIreconIzesIhecon
sIIIuIIvevorLoIdIerence.AsBaradnoIes,cuIsarearIoIIhehenomena
IheyheIroduce(!nu:).SarahKemIerand1oannaZyIInsLahave
hIhIIhIedIheduaIonIoIoIcaIandeIhIcaIdImensIonsoIBaradsaenIIaI
cuI,oIservInIhaIIhecuIIsacausaIrocedureIhaIerIormsIhedIvIsIon
oIIhevorIdInIoenIIIIes,IuIIIIsaIsoanacIoIdecIsIon(8z).ThaIIs,vhere
andhovveIocusmaIIers.ThIsconceIoIIhecuIresonaIes(IIunevenIyand
ImrecIseIy)vIIhanumIeroIoIherIemInIsIconceIuaIaradIms,IncIud
InKInsreenacImenIs,ChanIaIMouesarIIcuIaIIons,CheIaSandovaIs
dIerenIIaIconscIousness,and1aneBenneIIsvIIaImaIerIaIIIy.WhIIeIhese
IheoreIIcaImodeIsareasdIerenIasIheyareaIILe,Iheyeachoervays
IoundersIandreIaIIonIeIveenoIjecIandsuIjecI,IeIveendIscourseand
maIIer,andIeIveenIdenIIIyanddIerence.
Hov mIhI any oI IhIs maIIer Ior Ihe dIIIaI humanIIIes IIu
maInIaInsIhaIIhearorIaIe,unIqueconIrIIuIIonIhaIIhedIIIaIhuman
IIIescanmaLeIocuIIuraIcrIIIcIsmaIIheresenIIImeIsIouseIheIooIs,
aradIms,andconceIsoIdIIIaIIechnoIoIesIoheIreIhInLIheIdeaoI
InsIrumenIaIIIy(o:).IIacoreacIIvIIyoIIhedIIIaIhumanIIIeshasIeen
IheIuIIdInoIIooIs,veshouIddesInourIooIsdIerenIIy,InamodeIhaI
exIIcIIIy enaes over and dIerence Irom Ihe eIo, IayIn Iare our
IheoreIIcaIaIIeIancesandexIorInIheInIraacIIonsoIcuIIureandmaI
Ier.SeveraIIemInIsIschoIarsoermodeIsoIhovsuchracIIceIasedvorL
mIhI unIoId, IncIudIn Anne BaIsamo, Susan Brovn, MIcha Cardenas,
KImChrIsIen,SharonDanIeI,MaryIIanaan,1uIIaIIanders,AIex1uhasz,
MarshaKInder,BeIhanIeNovvIsLIe,SusanaBuIz,and1acqueIIneWernI
monI.TomoveIovardacIose,IvanIIodeIaIIIrIeyIhevaysInvhIch
myovncoIIaIoraIIveracIIceaIIemIsIoIhInLIhrouhsuchquesIIonsas
CansoIIvareIeIemInIsI
Inzoo,severaIcIosecoIIaIoraIors(esecIaIIySIeveAnderson,
CraIDIeIrIch,BaeanKeIIey,andIrILIoyer)andIIaunchedIhemuIII
modaI,onIInejournaI!Iu.!IuvasdeveIoedasasaceIorexerI
menIaIIonInscreenIanuaes,oenaccessuIIIshIn,andcoIIaIoraIIve
desIn and auIhorshI. Our rojecIs vere secuIaIIve In Ihe sense IhaI
1ohannaDrucLerdescrIIes,commIIIedIoushInIacLaaInsIIhecuIIuraI
auIhorIIyoIraIIonaIIsmInIhedIIIaIhumanIIIesandIndIIIaIdesIn.They
vereaIsocenIeredonIhecrIIIcaIandIheoreIIcaIquesIIonsIhaImoIIvaIed
IheschoIarsvIIhvhomvevorLed,humanIIIesschoIarsInIeresIedInques
IIonsoImemory,race,ender,emIodImenI,sexuaIIIy,erceIIon,IemoraI
IIy,IdeoIoy,andover.WhIIe!IurojecIsIeanasexerImenIsaIIhe
surIaceoIIhescreen,IheysoonIedusIovardIuIIdInIooIs.InarIIcuIar,
veIeanIoraIevIIhIhedaIaIaseasanoIjecIIoIhInLvIIhandIoIhInL
aaInsI.WeIoundIhaIIheconsIraInIsoImuchreIaIIonaIdaIaIasesoIIvare
verenoIarIIcuIarIyveIIsuIIedIoIhevaysInvhIchhumanIIIesschoIars
IhInLandvorL.ThrouhIheuIdanceandInsIhIoIInIormaIIonDesIn
DIrecIor CraI DIeIrIch, Ihe Ieam deveIoed a cusIomIzed daIaIase IooI
IhaIaIIovedmoreexIIIIIIyInhovschoIarscouIdIIeraIIveIyvorLvIIhIn
ourmIddIevare,aIIovInIhemIomodIIyIhedaIaIaseandIIsIaIIesmuch
moreeasIIy.WeaIsoIeanIoexIorevaysInvhIchInIerIacedesInmIhI
mIIIaIeIhedaIaIasesreIenIIessIoIc,reIusInIheIyrannyoIIheIemIaIe
evenasvevereoIvIousIysIIIIvorLInunderIhesInoIcomuIaIIon.In
exIorIn reIaIIons oI Iorm Io conIenI, ve rIvIIeed arIIcuIar LInds oI
conIenI,choosInIovorLvIIhschoIarsInIeresIedInquesIIonsoIender,
race,aecI,memory,andsocIaIjusIIce.TheseconcernsvereandareaIIhe
coreoIourresearch,andIheyroIoundIyshaed(andconIInueIoshae)
hovveuseanddesInIechnoIoIcaIsysIems.
OverIheasIIouryears,concurrenIvIIhIhevorLon!Iu,
our Ieam has aIso Ieen exandIn uon Ihe Iessons Iearned Ihrouh our
onoInresearch.WIIhsuorIIromIheMeIIonIoundaIIonandIheNaIIonaI
IndovmenIIorIheHumanIIIes,andIncIosecoIIaIoraIIonvIIhmanycoI
Ieaues(esecIaIIyorIInaIranIcoisWendyChun,BrIanUoIdIarI,NIch
oIasMIrzoe,and1oanSaaI),vehaveIeenIormInaIareroranIzaIIon,
IheAIIIanceIorNeIvorLIn\IsuaICuIIure.OuroaIIsIoIormuIaIenev
vaysoIvorLInvIIhdIIIIzedarchIvaImaIerIaIsvIIhInIhehumanIIIes
andIoconIInueIomodeIemerInenresoIdIIIaIschoIarIyuIIIshIn.In
suorIoIIheseoaIs,vehaveIeenIuIIdInanevauIhorInanduIIIsh
InIaIIorm,ScaIar,IhaIvasreIeasedInIooenIeIaInsrInzo:.ScaIar
aIIovsschoIarsIocreaIevIIhreIaIIveeaseIonIorm,muIIImedIarojecIs
IhaIIncororaIeavarIeIyoIdIIIaImaIerIaIsvhIIeaIsoconnecIInIodIIIaI
archIves,uIIIIzInIuIIIInvIsuaIIzaIIons,exIorInnonIInearIIy,suorIIn
cusIomIzaIIon,andmore.IorInsIance,vIsuaIcuIIureschoIarNIchoIasMIr
zoeusedScaIarIocreaIeanexIensIonoIhIsrInIIooL,T !,I Iu 1uuI.
In! . .II CIdn u{ .I,u. !uuII) und CuunIuuuII) :,;:c::,
MIrzoe noI onIy IncororaIes a rIch seI oI muIIImedIa examIes, IuI he
aIsosIrucIureshIsIeceaIonmuIIIIeInIersecIInaIhvaysInamanner
IhaIservesIoreInIorcehIsIarerIdeasaIouIIhevaIueoIIhedemonsIraIIon
asaIheoreIIcaImodeI.IormandconIenImereInverycomeIIInvays.
OIherschoIarshaveusedIheIaIIormIoreImaIneIheedIIedvoIume,Io
enaedeeIyvIIhmedIacoIIecIIons,andIoaIIendvIIhcareIorecordsoI
erIormanceandIesIImony.
ManyoIIheschoIarsvehavecoIIaIoraIedvIIhareInIeresIedIn
aIIovInIheusersorreadersoIIheIrresearchIoenaevIIhIheIrrImary
evIdencevhIIeaIsoexIorInIheschoIarsovnInIerreIaIIonoIIhaIevI
dence.WorLInInScaIar,schoIarsareuIIInseIsoIvIsuaImaIerIaIsIrom
dIIIIzedcoIIecIIonsInIoaScaIarrojecIorIooL,encouraInIherojecIs
readerIoexamIneIhesemaIerIaIsInIheIrovnrIhIvhIIeaIsoenaIn
aschoIarsanaIysIsoIIhemaIerIaIs.SucharojecIIsneIIhersoIeIyaIooL
norsoIeIyanarchIve,IuIraIherahyIrIdsaceIeIveenIheIvoIhaIIIends
schoIarIy anaIysIs vIIh a rIch Irove oI rImary maIerIaIs. IsIn ScaIars
IuIIIIncommenIInIeaIures,IhereaderoIIherojecIcanIhenaddherovn
commenIary,rovIdInmoreconIexIIorIhecoIIecIIonoIrImarymaIerIaIs
orresonsesIoIheschoIarIyInIerreIaIIonsoIIhecoIIecIIon.
ThIsIyeoIconnecIedandsharedresearchandvrIIInsace
hasemeredasaLeyareaoIInIeresIIorAIIIancearIners,vhoreconIze
Ihe caacIIy oI such racIIces IoIh Io reach nev audIences (vIIh cerIaIn
aIhsmorereIevanIIocerIaInIyesoIreaders)andIoIacIIIIaIecIoseanaIy
sIs and coIIaIoraIIve meIhodoIoIes. WIIhIn a sInIe rojecI, ve IImse
research oeraIIn across scaIes, vIIh schoIars aIIe Io move Irom Ihe
mIcroIeveIoIarojecI(erhasasInIeImaeorvIdeoannoIaIIon)IoIhe
sIrucIureoIIheenIIrerojecIandIIsInIeraIedmedIa.Theresearchercan
creaIecareIuIcIosereadInsvIIhInarojecIoImanycomonenIsIhaIcan
aIsoIeInsIanIIyreresenIedasavhoIecoIIecIIon,IhusmovInIeyondIhe
arIIcIaI IInary oI dIsIanI versus cIose readIn IhaI so oIIen surIaces
InconversaIIonsaIouIIhedIIIaIhumanIIIes.TheresuIIrIchIycomIInes
narraIIveInIerreIaIIonvIIhvIsuaIIzaIIonsIhaIareauIomaIIcaIIyener
aIedIyIhesemanIIceIemenIsoIIheIaIIorm.ThesevIsuaIIzaIIonsaIIov
anauIhororreaderIoseeIheIarersIrucIureoIarojecIIhaImayhave
IeenIuIIIumoreoranIcaIIyIeceIyIece,vhIIeaIsoaIIovInIIeraIIve
renemenIIoIhIssIrucIure.\IsuaIIzaIIonscanaIsoaIIovauserIoaccess
andexIoresecIceIemenIsoIarojecI,IncIudInIas,medIaIes,and
narraIIveaIhvays.Thus,IhevIsuaIIzaIIonsarenoImereIyIIIusIraIIve;
Ihey are aIso overIuI InIerreIaIIons IhaI resenI a rojecIs sIrucIure,
evIdence,andarumenIsInnevvays.TheyIrInIoeIhernarraIIve(and
anaIysIs) vIIh Ihe daIaIase, enrIchIn each. ThIs meIhod oI researchIn
andvrIIInacrossscaIesnovredomInanIIyunIoIdsvIIhInaIvenScaIar
rojecI,IuIIheossIIIIIIyIororIInIhesemodesoIanaIysIsIacLIoour
archIvaIarInersIarerhoIdInsreresenIsaLeyareaIorIuIureresearch.
ThesoIIvareIhaIunderInsScaIarvasIornoIIheIrusIraIIons
our schoIars oIIen exerIenced vorLIn vIIh IradIIIonaI daIaIase IooIs.
!IuenaedInIersecIIonaI,oIIIIcaI,andIemInIsIvorLaIIheIeveIoI
conIenIIuIaIsoInIeraIedIormandconIenIsoIhaIIheIheoreIIcaIImII
caIIonsoIIhevorLveremanIIesIInIheaesIheIIcandInIormaIIondesIn.
ScaIarIsnovseeLInIoInIeraIeIhesemeIhodoIoIesaIIheIeveIoIsoII
vare desIn. ScaIar IaLes our earIy exerImenIs aI hacLIn Ihe daIaIase
Ior!IurojecIsIoadIerenIIeveIIyvraInareIaIIonaIdaIaIaseIn
averyarIIcuIarsemanIIcIayer,arocesssearheadedIyCraIDIeIrIch
andIrILIoyer.
IneecI,vevanIedIoIuIIdasysIemIhaIresecIedandexIended
Ihe research meIhodoIoIes oI Ihe schoIars vIIh vhom ve vorL. ScaIar
resIsIsIhemoduIarIIyandcomarImenIaIIzedIoIcsoIdomInanIcomuIa
IIondesInIyaIIenInouIIhehIerarchaIsIrucIuresoIIaIIormssuchas
WordPress.WhIIeeasyIouse,IIaIsomovesIeyondIheIemIaIesIrucIures
IhaIIrequenIIycaIeorIzeIheWeI,aIIovInahIhdereeoIcusIomIzaIIon
Ihrouh IIs ni (aIIcaIIon rorammIn InIerIace). Thus, II medIaIes a
vhoIeseIoIIInarIes:IeIveencIoseanddIsIanIreadIn,userandauIhor,
InIerIaceandIacLend,mIcroandmacro,IheoryandracIIce,archIveand
InIerreIaIIon, IexI and Imae, daIaIase and narraIIve, and human and
machIne.ScaIarIaLesserIousIyIemInIsImeIhodoIoIesranInIromIhe
cuI Io IheorIes oI aIIIance, InIersecIIonaIIIy, and arIIcuIaIIon noI onIy In
suorI oI schoIars underIaLIn IndIvIduaI rojecIs IuI aIso In our very
desInrIncIIes.AsauIhorsvorLvIIhIheIaIIorm,IheyenIerInIoaov
oIIecomInIhrouhIhecreaIIonoIadaIaIaseonIheyandIhrouhan
enaemenIvIIhIheoIhernessoIIhemachIne.ScaIarresecIsmachInIc
aencyIuIdoesnoIcedeeveryIhInIoII.
As Anne BaIsamo remInds us, |I]very InIraacIIon IhaI con
sIIIuIes a IechnoIoy oers an oorIunIIy Io do IhIns dIerenIIy ().
ScaIar oers a vay Io exIore Ihe rIch InIraacIIons IhaI IInL maIIer and
dIscourse,IoenaeIheaIIerIIyoIIechnoIoy,andIocuIIhrouhIenIIude
vIIheIhIcaIInIenI.OuroaIIsIoIuIIdIechnoIoyInorderIhaIvemIhI
IeIIerundersIandIIandIIsenIanIemenIsvIIhcuIIure;veaImIoIendIhe
dIIIaIIoourdesIresandIouseIIInouruIoIas,IIonIyInIheInsIanI.In
IheorIesoIdIerence,veaIreadyndIounIIIuIvaysInvhIchvemIhI
revIreIhesecIrcuIIs.IemInIsIshaveIonIrouhIIoeIherIhosevhovaIue
hyIrId racIIces: arIIsIIheorIsIs, acIIvIsI schoIars, IheoreIIcaI archIvIsIs,
queer IaIIures, mesIIza cyIors. I asL you: vho IeIIer Io Iurn Ihe dIIIaI
aaInsIIIsdarLesIIoIcs
1nvn \curvsoNIsAssocIaIeProIessoroIUenderandCrIIIcaISIudIesaIIheInIversIIyoI
SouIhernCaIIIornIasSchooIoICInemaIIcArIsandDIrecIoroIIheSIdneyHarmanAcademy
IorPoIymaIhIcSIudy.SheIsIheauIhoroI!unIuIn, 1u. !u, Gnd, und ûIuI,u
n I 1mu,nd uuI (DuLe InIversIIy Press, zoo), coedIIor oI Hup un Pup. T PuII
und PIuu u{ PupuIu CuIIu(DuLeInIversIIyPress,zoo),andedIIoroI1,IuI JuuI,
1nnuuuIun, und I !nupId (MassachuseIIs InsIIIuIe oI TechnoIoy Press, zoo8). An
anIhoIoy, Tunmdu 1Iun, vhIch she coedIIed vIIh Marsha KInder, Is IorIhcomIn
Irom Ihe InIversIIy oI CaIIIornIa Press, and she Is currenIIy vorLIn on a manuscrII on
emerIn aradIms Ior dIIIaI schoIarshI. She Is Ihe IoundIn edIIor oI !Iu (vvv
.vecIorsjournaI.or),amuIIImedIa,eerrevIevedjournaIaIIaIedvIIhIheOenHumanI
IIesPress,andcoedIIoroIIheMacArIhursuorIed1nInuIunuI JuunuI u{ 1unn, und
Adu. She Is Iead rIncIaI InvesIIaIor vIIh Ihe AIIIance Ior NeIvorLIn \IsuaI CuIIure
andIorIhedIIIaIauIhorInIaIIormScaIar.SheIsIherecIIenIoIranIsIromIheMeIIon,
Iord,BocLeIeIIer,AnnenIer,andMacArIhurIoundaIIons,IheNaIIonaIIndovmenIIorIhe
HumanIIIes,andoIhers.
: ThereIsmuchIhaIIvaIueInIan
BoosIsvorL,and,vhIIeheIs
heresIIuaIedaIonsIdeanumIer
oIoIhersvhoarueIhaIcodeand
cuIIureexIsIInsearaIereaIms,
IdonoIIhInLhevouIdconcur
vIIhIhem.HIsosIIIonIsIyIcaIIy
moresohIsIIcaIed.Iverymuch
areevIIhhIssIaIemenIeIse
vhereInIheIorumIhaIIoreaIIy
shovhovenderassumIIons
areIaLedInIocomuIersysIems
IssuchanenormousIasL,IIs
hardIoLnovhovIoIeInsome
IImes.BuIIeInvemusI.KaIIe
KInsIdeasaIouIreenacImenIs
aredeveIoedInherrecenIIooL,
ÎuuId !nuImnI. Iu
TundpInu) KnuuId,
TII.WhIIeIhereIsmuchIhaI
searaIesIheIrvorL,BoosIand
KInshareanInIeresIInIhIns
andourreIaIIonsIoIhem.
z OIhercommenIsInIheIorum
ushIacLaaInsIIheseassum
IIonsIhaIcodeexIsIsaarIIrom
cuIIure,IncIudIn:
1m Iun,I) n {uuu u{
upnn, un uu u{ Iud) u
uIImpI Iu udd I u
und In, Im nIu I I,I.
! uuId IunI) uII I ccs,
uIIuu, I mu) nuI I uuI
unII) munI I) IuI Im. 1m
Iun,I) n {uuu u{ I dpI (u
pup Iuu u{) I {uI IuI u
mun) pu,umm uII unduuII
dI) uu u Iun, n,uIu u
Iun Iu un) duun u{ I
u, und un dn) I uIn
u{ un) u Iu du.
O{ uu pu,um u IuI
muImuIuI uI{uI und uuI
uIun IuuId n u puIuIu
unIuI. (AuII HII, uI uI, :c:c
c;:; c.;:)
BuI mu Iu I punI,
uI ccs ,un, Iu I I uu)
Iu IuII I, 1 InI I u pInI)
u{ mpuIunI quIun Iu I uId
{um I IundpunI u{ Iu,
uuIu,), ,n Iu), und un
um mu duunIuuI IuI
Iu).
.{I uII, { u u Iu IuI
uuI) un u{ uu {uuuI upu
m (Pu,um muI I uIIn
{u pupI Iu ud, und unI) n
dnIuII) {u mun Iu uuI.)
In IuI u{ quIun u u
IuI IIu) und uuI u u)
quII). (. CIuu uI !d, :c:cc;
:, :;.:)
Notes
ThIsIIsIcouIdIncIudemanyoIh
ers,arIIcuIarIyIhoseschoIars
vorLInvIIhInIhe-DHPoco,
-TransIormDH,IemTechNeI,and
IemBoIruIrIcs,asveIIasmany
IemInIsIarIIsIs.CerIaInIyIhey
vouIdnoIareeonIheoreIIcaI
modeIsorIechnIcaIrocesses.
IrImarIIyIIsIhereIhosevIIh
vhomIvehadsomevorLIn
connecIIon.
BeIaIIonaIdaIaIasesareIhere
domInanIIormoIdaIaIaseInuse
IodayandareIehIndmuchoIIhe
daIaveInIeracIvIIhonIheWeI
asveIIasInroramsIILeAccess
andOracIe.TheyoranIzedaIaIn
aseIoIIormaIIydescrIIedIaIIes.
ThIsaIIovsauserIoquIcLIysorI
aIareamounIoIdaIavIadIer
enIquerIesIuIaIsorequIresan
aIomIsIIcvIevoIdaIa.ThereIa
IIonaIdaIaIasevasrsIdescrIIed
IyIdarCoIIaIiv\In:go;III
havearuedIhaIIheoeraIInsys
IemiNixvasIounduInIIscuI
IuraImomenI,IhesamemIhIIe
aruedoIIhereIaIIonaIdaIaIase.
ThaIIs,IIshIhIyaIomIsIIcsIruc
IurevaserhasarIandarceI
oIIroadercuIIuraIchanesunder
vayaIIhaIIIme.AI!Iuand
IaIervIIhScaIar,vevereInIer
esIedInseeInIIIhereIaIIonaI
daIaIasemIhIIehacLedInorder
IoIeIIersuIIIhemeIhodoIoIesoI
humanIIIesschoIars.
IoraIuIIdescrIIIonoIScaIars
caacIIIes,seeIheScaIarveIsIIe,
vhIchaIsoIInLsIoseveraIsamIe
rojecIs.
BaIsamo,Anne.1,nn, CuIIu. T TnuIu,uI 1mu,nuIun uI !uI.Durham:DuLe
i,zo::.
Barad,Karen.AIn, I !nu HuI{uu). uunIum P) und I 1nIun,ImnI u{ AuII
und Aunn,.Durham:DuLei,zoo.
.PosIhumanPerIormaIIvIIy:TovardanIndersIandInoIHovMaIIerComes
IoMaIIer.,n. JuunuI u{ !umn n CuIIu und uI)z8.(zoo):8o::.
BenneII,1ane.!IunI AuII. . PuIIuI 1uIu,) u{ Tn,.Durham:DuLei,zo:o.
BoosI, Ian, and NIcL MonIorI. PIuI{um Iud. hII://IaIIormsIudIes.com (accessed zo
Au.zo:).
.!un, I Bum. T .Iu !du Gum )Im.CamIrIde:\i1,zoog.
Brovn, TravIs. CrIIIcaI Code SIudIes. 1umIdu I !IImuI (IIo). :: May zo:o. hII://
IamIdaIheuIIImaIe.or/node/g.
UoId,MaIIhev.1IuI n I 1,IuI HumunI.MInneaoIIs:ioIMInnesoIa,zo:z.
HaII,Uary.TovardaPosIdIIIaIHumanIIIes:CuIIuraIAnaIyIIcandIheComuIaIIonaITurn
IoDaIaDrIvenSchoIarshI..mun 1IuIu8.(zo:):8:8og.
KemIer, Sarah, and 1oanna ZyIInsLa. 1{ u{I û Adu. AduIun u u !IuI Pu.
CamIrIde:\i1,zo:z.
KIn,KaIIe.ÎuuId !nuImnI. Iu TundpInu) KnuuId, TII.Durham:
DuLei,zo:z.
Koh, AdeIIne, and BooILa BIsam. Oen Thread: The DIIIaI HumanIIIes as a HIsIorIcaI
BeIue Irom Bace/CIass/Uender/SexuaIIIy/DIsaIIIIIy PuIuIunuI 1,IuI HumunI
asahIsIorIcaIreIueIromracecIassendersexuaIIIydIsaIIIIIy.
Works Cited
IaCIau,IrnesIo,andChanIaIMoue.H,mun) und uuII IuI,). Tuuud u !uduI
1muuI PuII.NevYorL:\erso,:g8.
IIu,AIan.WhereIsIheCuIIuraICrIIIcIsmInIheDIIIaIHumanIIIes1IuI n I 1,IuI
HumunI.UoIdgoog.
McPherson,Tara.WhyAreIheDIIIaIHumanIIIesSoWhIIeorThInLInIheHIsIorIesoI
BaceandComuIaIIon.UoId:gbo.
McPherson,Tara,andSIeveAnderson,eds.!Iu. JuunuI u{ CuIIu und TnuIu,) n u
1)num !nuuIu.hII://vecIorsjournaI.or(accessed:Au.zo:).
MIrzoe,NIchoIas.! . .II CIdn u{ .I,u. !uuII) und CuunIuuuII), :,;:c::.
Durham:DuLei,zo:z.hII://scaIar.usc.edu/nehvecIors/mIrzoe/heI(accessed:Au.zo:).
SandovaI, CheIa. AIuduIu,) u{ I Oppd. Tu) OuI u{ Buund. MInneaoIIs: i oI
MInnesoIa,zooo.
uIu.hII://scaIar.usc.edu(accessed:Au.zo:).
SmarI, Andrev. CommenI. Oen Thread: The DIIIaI HumanIIIes as a HIsIorIcaI BeIue
Irom Bace/CIass/Uender/SexuaIIIy/DIsaIIIIIy PuIuIunuI 1,IuI HumunI (IIo). :o
Mayzo:aIg:a.m.hII://dhoco.or/IIo/zo:/o/:o/oenIhreadIhedIIIaIhumanIIIes
SmIIh,MarIhaNeII.TheHumanTouchSoIIvareoIIheHIhesIOrder:BevIsIIInIdIIInas
InIerreIaIIon.TuIuuI CuIIu. TuI, CunIuI, 1nIpIuIunz.:(zoo):::.
!Iu.hII://vecIorsjournaI.or(accessed:Au.zo:).
\oIume z, NumIer : ooi :o.:z:/:oog:zz8

ThaI ve vere Iormed Ihen saysI Ihou
and Ihe vorL
OI secondary hands, Iy IasL
IransIerred
Irom IaIher Io hIs Son SIrane oInI
and nev!
DocIrIne vhIch ve vouId Lnov
vhence IearnI: vho sav
When IhIs creaIIon vas BememIersI
Ihou
Thy maLIn, vhIIe Ihe MaLer ave
Ihee IeIn
We Lnov no IIme vhere ve vere noI
as nov;
Knov none IeIore us, seIIIeoI,
seIIraIsed
By our ovn quIcLnIn over, vhen
IaIaI course
Had cIrcIed hIs IuII orI, Ihe IIrIh
maIure
OI IhIs our naIIve heavn, eIhereaI
sons.
Our uIssance Is our ovn, our ovn
rIhI hand
ShaII Ieach us hIhesI deeds, Iy rooI
Io Iry
Who Is our equaI.
IucIIer, Paradise Lost
Editors note. BIrIhIn a dIscIIIne Is an InIrIcaIe IasL, exhIIa
raIIn and exhausIIn, unredIcIaIIe and conIesIed, haunIed Iy conIradIc
IIon and even anIaonIsm. WhIIe ve Lnov very veII IhaI Ihe rocess Is never
IInear, II seems IhaI ve cannoI heI IuI comose IIs hIsIory as a LInd oI
chronoIoy, a IImeIIne oI dIscovery, InsIIIuIIonaIIzaIIon, and Ihe seemInIy
InevIIaIIe emerence oI normaI scIence. DIscIIInes enaIIe InIeIIecIuaI IaIor
vIIhIn esIaIIIshed roIocoIs and assume Ihe Iorm oI a movIn consensus;
Ihey maLe a meaI oI conIcI InsoIar as deIaIe Is arI oI Ihe dIscIIInes
corus, noI IIs undoIn. AII IhIs Is novhere more oIvIous Ihan In conIcIs
aIouI dIscIIInary Iorms, ends, and orIIns.
IIurIn a nev dIscIIIne, maLIn meIahors Io reIsIer IIs dII
Ierence and yeI veave II a Iace amon Ihe oIher dIscIIInes, Is essenIIaI IuI
IrauhI and aIvays Io some deree IIInd: IIs InsIhIs casI shadovs II can
noI Ioresee. 1ohn Crove Bansom comIaIns In CrIIIcIsm, Inc. (:g), hIs
oIemIc on IehaII oI Ihe Nev CrIIIcIsm: II Is sIrane, IuI noIody seems Io
have IoId us vhaI exacIIy Is Ihe roer IusIness oI crIIIcIsm (z). DeIIm
IIIn IhaI roer IusIness enIaIIs Ihe over Io dene a IheoreIIcaI oIjecI,
iv Editors Note
name Ihe roIIemaIIcs II savns and Ihe rojecIs, readIns, exerImenIs,
and IruIhs II enenders: Io consIIIuIe a eId. Bansom condemns hIs coI
Ieaues, IIIeraIure Ieachers sIyIed roIessor, vho IaIIed Io creaIe a sIan
dard Ior crIIIcIsm, and Iemoans Ihe chaos vhere dIscIIIned cIarIIy ouhI
Io reIn. WhaI Is crIIIcIsm he vonders. IasIer Io asL, WhaI Is crIIIcIsm
noI II Is an acI nov noIorIousIy arIIIrary and undened (z).
OI course, IhIs once noIorIous IacL oI denIIIon IeaI Ihe eId
denIn InIeIIecIuaI Iorce oI Nev CrIIIcIsm, vhIch domInaIed IIIerary
sIudIes Ior Ivo eneraIIons. One mIhI Ie IorIven Ior execIIn IhaI Ihe
academys Ion exerIence oI IrInIn dIscIIInes InIo Ihe vorId vouId
maLe Ihe rocess Iess oaque, more redIcIaIIe, even overnaIIe Iy some
seI oI convenIIons. BuI as Ihe essays on Ihe dIIIaI humanIIIes coIIecIed here
demonsIraIe, our osIdIscIIInary momenI has onIy made Ihe InIerroaIIon
oI dIscIIInary IoundarIes, orIIns, and eecIs more urenI and more oen
Io IundamenIaIIy dIverIn anaIyses. Our deIaIes aIouI hov a dIscIIIne
Is raIsed and IIs dIsIIncIIons acquIred, and vhose IusIness II Is Io ansver
Ihe quesIIon vhaI Is ..., InIensIIy as our conscIousness oI Ihe arIIce oI
dIscIIInarIIy IIseII deeens. These deIaIes are no Ioner IaIe henomena
IhaI emere vhen an esIaIIIshed eId Iurns Io seIIcrIIIcIsm, IuI are aIvays
aIready In Iay, shadovIn Ihe dIscIIIne even as II rsI arIses, nds IIs
IooIIn, and cIaIms IIs auIhorIIy.
The conIrIIuIors Io IhIs Issue aroach Ihe dIIIaI humanIIIes
Irom radIcaIIy dIerenI ersecIIves and come Io IundamenIaIIy dIerenI
concIusIons concernIn IIs orIIns, naIure, roer and Imroer oIjecIs,
ossIIIe IuIures, and currenI ImacI on Ihe unIversIIy and IIs oIhers. The
LnovIede IhaI Ihe dazzIIn IrIner oI IIhI, MIIIons IucIIer, IrashIy dIs
avovs, LnovIede oI a IIme vhen ve vere noI as ve are nov, Is exIIcIIIy
aI vorL In every essay coIIecIed here. ThIs emIrace oI a heIeroeneous asI
recIudes Ihe IanIasy oI seIIIeeIIIn and seeLs InsIead Io comrehend
Ihe uneven rocess oI dIerenIIaIIon Iy vhIch a dIscIIIne comes InIo
IeIn, susIaIns IIs racIIce, and evoIves. II reIuses any sInIe orIIn sIory
and, IhereIore, cannoI roose a sInIe vIsIon oI Ihe resenI or docIrIne Ior
Ihe IuIure. In IIs Iace, dierences readers vIII encounIer an IIIumInaIIn
deIaIe IhaI InIerroaIes Ihe very ossIIIIIIIes oI seIImaLIn and IransarenI
IIneae. IxIorIn Ihe shadovs casI Iy varIous IaIes oI Ihe orIIn, our con
IrIIuIors roose rIch, chaIIenIn accounIs oI Ihe onoIn IasL oI maLIn
meanIn In Ihe dIIIaI humanIIIes and oI our ovn quIcLnIn over.
d i f f e r e n c e s v
MIIIon, 1ohn. Paradise Lost. BooL . IIIeraIure.or: The OnIIne IIIeraIure IIIrary. vvv
.IIIeraIure.or/auIhors/mIIIonjohn/aradIseIosI/chaIero.hImI (accessed :8 Nov. zo:).
Bansom, 1ohn Crove. CrIIIcIsm, Inc. :g. The Worlds Body. Nev YorL: ScrIIner, :g8. zo.
Works Cited
\oIumez,NumIer: ooi:o.:z:/:oog:zzoo:
norLiNrxou
Niceness, Building, and Opening the Genealogy of the
Digital Humanities: Beyond the Social Contract of
Humanities Computing
In Leviathan, Thomas HoIIes decIares IhaI IIIe In Ihe sIaIe
oInaIureIsnasIy,IruIIshandshorI.HeIhenaruesIorasIroncenIraI
auIhorIIyIhaIvIIIrovIdeameasureoIsecurIIyIoImroveIIIe,anauIhorIIy
maIerIaIIzedInIheIormoIIhesIaIeandIhesocIaIconIracI.SocIaIconIracI
Iheory, ranIn Irom HoIIes, 1ohn IocLe, and 1ean1acques Bousseau Io
IhemorerecenIT. H.MarshaIIand1ohnBavIs,conIInuesIoIeInuenIIaI
InconceIuaIIzInnoIIonsoIcIIIzenshIandIeIonInInaraneoIdIs
cIIInesIoday.CenIraIquesIIonsIhaIsocIaIconIracIIheorIsIsasLIncIude:
vhaIareIheareeduonruIesIhaIacommunIIyusesIoconsIrucIIIseII,
IoIIndIIseIIIoeIherWhaIareIheIImIIsoIIheseruIes,andvhaIareIhe
resonsIIIIIIIesoImemIersoIIhaIcommunIIyInIIhIoIIhesequesIIons,
IvanIIoexamIneIhevaysInvhIchsocIaIconIracIIheorycanIIIumInaIe
currenIdeIaIesInIhedIIIaIhumanIIIes.
ThIs essay sIudIes Ihe socIaI conIracI oI Ihe dIIIaI humanI
IIescommunIIy.IarueIhaIIhIsconIracIhasIeenImoseduonIheeId
Ihrouh IIs assocIaIIons vIIh humanIIIes comuIIn, eneraIIy deIcIed
as IIs InIeIIecIuaI redecessor (KIrschenIaum, WhaI Is; Bamsay, DH
94 Niceness, Building, and Opening the Genealogy
Tyes).WhIIesocIaIconIracIIheoryIseneraIIysIudIedvIIhInIheeIds
oI oIIIIcaI and socIaI hIIosohy, II Is heIIuI Io an eorI Io exIore Ihe
assumIIonsunderInnInandoranIzInanycommunIIyandIIsuIIIc
shere.InarIIcuIar,IvIIIconsIderIheIncreasInIyconIesIedcIaImsIhaI
consIIIuIeIhesocIaIconIracIoIIhedIIIaIhumanIIIesasaschoIarIyeId,
IhaIIs,IhaIdeneIeIonInorcIIIzenshIvIIhInIhIseId.IarueIhaI
IhesocIaIconIracIoIIhedIIIaIhumanIIIesIscomosedoIIvoruIes::) Ihe
racIIceoIcivility,ornIceness;andz) possession of technical knowledge,
dened as LnovIede oI codIn or comuIer rorammIn. These ruIes
are reeaIedIy cIIed vIIhIn Ihe dIIIaI humanIIIes communIIy, IuI Ihey
areaIIhesameIImeconIesIedandcrIIIcIzed.MyoaIInIhIsshorIIeceIs
IohIhIIhIIheessenIIaIvaysInvhIchIheseIvoruIesandIheconIro
versIes around IhemerIorm sInIcanI IuncIIons vIIhIn IhIs academIc
eId,esIaIIIshInIheIImIIsoIIhedIscourseIhaIdenesIheIdeaoIadIIIaI
humanIIIescIIIzen.
I IocaIe IhIs socIaI conIracI vIIhIn vhaI I Ierm Ihe dIIIaI
humanIIIes uIIIc shere, a vIrIuaI meeIIn Iace IhaI exIsIs vIIhIn Ihe
saceoIacademIcIIos,TvIIIer,andcuraIedandeerrevIevedsIIessuch
asDigital Humanities Now,IheJournal of Digital Humanities,andDigital
Humanities Quarterly.DeIaIesvIIhInIhedIIIaIhumanIIIescommunIIyare
conducIedrImarIIyIhrouhIheseIormsoImedIa,vhIcharenoIdIscreIe
enIIIIesIuIoverIaandarearIIcuIaIedvIIhoneanoIher.Digital Humanities
NowIsavoIunIeercuraIedIIsIoIosIsonIhedIIIaIhumanIIIes,vhIIeIhe
Journal of Digital HumanitiesIsajournaIIhaIuIIIshesrevIsedIIoosIs
IhaIhaveIeenseIecIedIromaIreadyuIIIshedconIenI.Digital Humanities
QuarterlyIsaIradIIIonaIeerrevIevedjournaI.AsevIdencedIromDigital
Humanities Now, Ihe Journal of Digital Humanities, and research on Ihe
dIIIaI humanIIIes In IradIIIonaI uIIIcaIIons, many IIo osIs uIIIshed
on ersonaI dIIIaI humanIIIes IIos are IaIer cIIed In IradIIIonaIIy eer
revIeveduIIIcaIIons(Irench).InIhIsmanner,serIousacademIcdIscussIon
vIIhIn Ihe dIIIaI humanIIIes communIIy dIveres Irom Ihe maInsIream
humanIIIes, vhIch reIy more heavIIy on IradIIIonaI Iorms oI uIIIcaIIon.
Throuh examIes IaLen Irom IhIs uIIIc shere, I Iease ouI Ihe vays In
vhIchIhedIIIaIhumanIIIessocIaIconIracIconIInuesIoIereIerencedand
reIurnedIoasacondIIIonoIenIryIoIheschoIarIyeId.IarueIhaInIceness/
cIvIIIIy and ossessIn IechnIcaI LnovIede Iay ImorIanI aIeLeeIn
roIesvIIhInIhedIIIaIhumanIIIesuIIIcshere.
ThesIrucIureoIIhesocIaIconIracIovernInIhedIIIaIhumanI
IIesdravsIIsauIhorIIyIromIhearumenIIhaIIhedIIIaIhumanIIIeshasIIs
rooIsvIIhInIheeIdoIhumanIIIescomuIInandvIIhInIhaIeIdaIone.
ThehIsIoryoIhumanIIIescomuIIndaIesIacLIoIhe:gosandIhevorL
oIIaIherBoIerIoBusa,anIIaIIanrIesIvhoIaunchedaIooIIoerIormIexI
searchesoISI. ThomasAquInassoeuvre.HumanIIIescomuIIndescrIIes
IIseIIasaeIdIhaIusescomuIaIIonaImeIhodsIoaddressIradIIIonaIhuman
IIIesresearchquesIIons,suchasIheuseoIaIorIIhmsIosearchIoraIIerns
InIareIexIuaIcorora.HumanIIIescomuIInsharIydIerenIIaIesIIseII
Irom nev medIa sIudIes, vhIch enaes crIIIcaIIy vIIh nev medIa as an
oIjecIoIsIudyIorexamIe,IheroIeoIendersIereoIyesInonIIneamIn
communIIIes.IarueIhaIIheIvoruIesoIIhedIIIaIhumanIIIessocIaIcon
IracIcIvIIIIy/nIcenessandIechnIcaILnovIedecomeIromIhehumanIIIes
comuIIneId,vhIchhasconsIrucIedIhesecondIIIonsIoradmIssIon.
IInaIIy,IcaIIIoracrIIIcaIseIIavarenessoIIheroIesIhaInIce
ness/cIvIIIIyandIechnIcaILnovIedeIayInIheconsIrucIIonoIIhedIIIaI
humanIIIessocIaIconIracIandIoraIreaLvIIhIheexIsIInsocIaIconIracI,
aruIn Ior a hIsIorIcIzaIIon oI Ihe dIIIaI humanIIIes IhaI sIIuaIes II In a
dIscursIve eId Iarer Ihan humanIIIes comuIIn. ThIs can Ie achIeved
IycreaIInmuIIIIeeneaIoIesIorIhedIIIaIhumanIIIesandIydemon
sIraIIn IhaI Ihe eId aIso encomasses nev medIa sIudIes, osIcoIonIaI
scIenceandIechnoIoysIudIes,anddIIIaIresearchonrace,ender,cIass,
anddIsaIIIIIyandIheIrImacIoncuIIuresaroundIhevorId.
Rule : Niceness and Civility
To Ie a dIIIaI humanIsI Is Io Ie nIce: coIIeIaI, eaIIIarIan,
nonhIerarchIcaI, and aIIe Io vorL veII vIIh oIhers. NIceness has Ieen
descrIIed as InIeraI Io Ihe eIds seIIconceIIon (SIncIaIr), so much so
IhaIdIIIaIhumanIsIsareIheUoIdenBeIrIeversoIIheacademy(ScheIn
IeIdI).AsIhescoeoImanydIIIaIrojecIsrequIrescoIIaIoraIIon,dIIIaI
humanIsIs,IhearumenIoes,aremoreIncIInedandusedIovorLInIn
Ieams.ThIsIcIureoIcoIIaIoraIIonIsoosedIoIhesoIIIarynaIureoImosI
IradIIIonaIhumanIIIesvorL,vhereIhesInIeauIhored,eerrevIeveduI
IIcaIIonIsheIduasIhesIandardIorrevIev.AsIurIherevIdenceoIIhIsdIs
cIIInarynIceness,dIIIaIhumanIsIsoInIIoIheuncomensaIedhours
manyoIussendadvIsIneers,sIudenIsandsomeIImeserIecIsIraners
vhoIurnuInouremaIIqueuesonmaIIersranInIromsmaIIIechnIcaI
roIIemsIoInsIIIuIIonaIsIraIey(KIrschenIaum,(DH)SIars)andIoIhe
oennaIureoIIheeId,vhIchvaIuescoIIaIoraIIonraIherIhanhIerar
chy(Brennan;WhIIson).TheassocIaIIonoIIhedIIIaIhumanIIIesvIIhIhe
rovIhoI1un1camunconIerencesInIormaI,arIIcIanIdrIvenevenIs
vhereanaendaIsonIyseIIhedayoIIhemeeIInandvheredIscussIon
IsvaIuedoverIecIurInhasheIedIocemenIIhIserceIIon,ashaveIhe
numerousoenaccessresourcesIoheIIeInnersIoIheeId,suchasIhe
DIIIaIHumanIIIesoonIorum.
IvanIIoroIesomeoIIhevaysInvhIchnIcenessIuncIIons
asameansIodIscIIInememIersoIIhedIIIaIhumanIIIescommunIIyIy
examInInIIsroIeonTvIIIer.TvIIIerIsoneoIIhemosIImorIanImodes
oIsocIaIexchaneandInIeIIecIuaIdIssemInaIIonIormuchoIIhei.s.Iased
dIIIaIhumanIIIescommunIIyIecauseoIIIsoenness:IhemajorIIyoIdIs
cussIonsonTvIIIerareuIIIcandoenIoanyonevhovIshesIooIserve
orarIIcIaIe(HucuIaL;MeIereIaI.).TvIIIerImIemenIsanasynchronous
IoIIovInsysIem,meanInIhaIonecanIoIIovanaccounIsIveeIsvIIhouI
necessarIIyIeInIoIIovedIacL.Thus,manyconversaIIonsonTvIIIerare
oenInIhesecIcsenseIhaIIheyarereadaIIeIoanyone.ManyhIhranL
IndIIIaIhumanIsIs(suchasBeIhanyNovvIsLIeandMaIIKIrschenIaum,
IoIhsInIcanIuresInIheeId)conducIoenacademIcexchaneson
TvIIIerandveIcomeInIeracIIonvIIhoIhers,maLInIheTvIIIersherea
moreoenandconvIvIaIsaceIhanIheIradIIIonaIhumanIIIes.IurIher
more,asNovvIsLIenoIes,IheuseoITvIIIeraIInvIIaIIononIyevenIsoIIen
exIends Ihe dIscussIon Ieyond Ihe rou oI eoIe acIuaIIy resenI and
rovIdesanaddIIIonaIIaIIormIorquIeIereoIeInaIIendance(InInvIIed
UuesIs). IIveIveeIIn conIerence sessIonsa common racIIce vIIhIn
IhedIIIaIhumanIIIesaIsoIncreasesarIIcIaIIonInIheevenI,aIIovIn
eoIeIovIrIuaIIyaIIendsessIonsIymonIIorInIheIIveIeed.
YeI,TvIIIerIsnoIvIIhouIIIsdarLsIde.IIscrIIIcshaveaIIacLed
IIIorIeIncIIquIsh,asaIacevhereIIhILnIIcommunIIIesdoIormand
aearexcIusIve,InIheIormoIcerIaInrousvhoarenoIoenIoconver
saIIonvIIheoIevhoarenoIaIreadyacLnovIededasmemIers(SIncIaIr).
SomenoIeIhaITvIIIerhasaIsoIredaneIIIerouoIDHsIars(CroxaII;
KIrschenIaum,(DH)SIars;PannaacLer;SIncIaIr),acharacIerIzaIIonIhaI
oesaaInsIIhedIIIaIhumanIIIesImaeoIIeInnonhIerarchIcaI.BecenI
conversaIIons have aIso Iemoaned Ihe TvIIIersheres reIIcaIIon oI Ihe
oIder hIerarchIes oI vaIue, aIeLeeIn, and snarL vIIhIn Ihe IradIIIonaI
humanIIIes.KaIhIeenIIIzaIrIcLhasonesoIarasIocrIIIcIzeIheuseoI
TvIIIer Ior uIIIc shamIn, a ersecIIve IhaI Byan CordeII suorIed
(conIessInIohavInaoIoIzedIormaLInoIhecuremarLsonTvIIIer
IhaImIhIhaveIeenhurIIuI),vhIIeTImMcCormIcLconIendedIhaIIhIs
crIIIqueIsameansoIcIosInouIIIcdeIaIe.
The examIe oI Ihe dIIIaI humanIIIes ceIeIraIIon oI TvIIIer
maLes II aarenI IhaI Ihe conceIs oI niceness and civilityor, aI IeasI,
asIraIIons Io IoIhare reeaIedIy InvoLed as ImorIanI norms. BuI Ihe
darLsIdeoITvIIIerIhreaIensIheseIIresenIaIIonoIdIIIaIhumanIIIes
racIIIIonersasnIce.BecenIcrIIIcIsmoIIheTvIIIersheresIncIvIIIIy
aIsoIndIcaIesIheImorIanceoInIcenessandcIvIIIIyasovernInIroes
oIIhedIIIaIhumanIIIessocIaIconIracI.
ThIsconceIoIcivilityhasIIsorIInsInWesIernconceIuaIIza
IIonsoIIIIeraIdemocracy.MenIIonsoIcIvIIIIyImmedIaIeIyevoLeasso
cIaIIonsvIIhIhehIsIorIcaIemerenceoIcIvIIsocIeIyInIuroe,vhIch
ImIIesadomaInoIrIvaIecIIIzensvIIhacerIaIndereeoIauIonomyIrom
IhesIaIe.InmajornarraIIvesoIIheIuroeanandAmerIcanrevoIuIIonsoI
IhesevenIeenIhandeIhIeenIhcenIurIes,IheemovermenIoIcIvIIsocI
eIyandIheemerenceoIcrIIIcaIreasonhaveIeenIInLedIoIhehIsIorIcaI
deveIomenIoImoderndemocracy.InIhemajorIIyoIIheseaccounIsoIIhe
eneaIoyoIIheconceI,civilityIsconsIderedanInIeraIeIemenIoIaveII
IuncIIonIn democracy, as a roIusI cIvII socIeIy creaIes a veIIInIormed
cIIIzenryvhomaLeIeIIervoIInchoIces,arIIcIaIemoreInoIIIIcs,and
hoIdovernmenImoreaccounIaIIe.
BuIIheIermcivilityhasaIsohadaIrauhIhIsIory,esecIaIIyIn
reIaIIonIorace,sIavery,andi.s.andWesIernIuroeanImerIaIIsm.WhIIe
cIvIIIIy has Ieen heId u as a modeI comonenI Ior modern democracIes,
IheIermhasaIsoIeenusedInservIceoIIheexIremeIyvIoIenIhIsIorIesoI
sIaveryandImerIaIIsm,IeInIhequesIIonasIovheIherIheImosIIIon
oIcIvIIIIyIsacIuaIIycIvIIIyIIsovndenIIIon.AsInIamousIydocumenIed
IyvrIIerssuchas1osehConradandBudyardKIIIn,IheconceIoIcivi-
lizationvasheIduasanImaInarymoraIroundIromvhIchIhecoIonI
zaIIonoInonIuroeanIerrIIorIesvassancIIonedIyIuroeancIIIzenry.
KIIInsoemTheWhIIeMansBurdenIsaIeIIInexamIeoIIhIs,In
vhIchKIIInasLsIheInIIedSIaIesIoIaLeuIhevhIIemansIurden
IocIvIIIzeIheIIIIInosIncommemoraIIonoIIhei.s.coIonIaIIaLeover
oIIhePhIIIInes.MeanvhIIe,IrenchcoIonIaIIncursIonsvereIermedIhe
mission civilisatrice,orIhecivilizing mission.PosIcoIonIaIandraceIheorIsIs
NILhII PaI SInh and MaIInI 1ohar SchueIIer have documenIed Ihe vays
IhaIracedemarcaIesIheIoundarIesoIIramenIedIormsoIcIIIzenshIIor
IhosevhoaredeemedcaIeorIcaIIyuncivilIhrouhsLIncoIorandcuIIure.
AccordInIy,asnumerousosIcoIonIaIcrIIIcshavenoIed,IheIdeasoIcivi-
lization,civility,andIheIrcomIemenIcivil societyconIInueIoIedoed
IyIheIrneocoIonIaIdImensIons.ParIhaChaIIerjeenoIes,IorexamIe,Ihe
demorahIcIImIIaIIonoIcIvIIsocIeIy(bb),vhIIe1aISenhasaruedIhaI
cIvIIsocIeIyIsInIacIaneocoIonIaIrojecIIyIoIaIeIIIes.
Rule : Technical Knowledge
NicenessandcivilityareIInLedvIIhIhesoIeoIherruIeoIenae
menIInIhIssocIaIconIracI:IechnIcaILnovIedeorIherequIremenIIhaI
onedemonsIraIesomeIechnIcaIexerIIse(usuaIIyInIheIormoIroram
mIn Ianuaes) Io seaL auIhorIIaIIveIy vIIhIn Ihe eId. ThIs Is ener
aIIy characIerIzed as Ihe hacL/yacL dIvIde, echoIn Ihe caII Ior more
hacL,IessyacLIhaIorIInaIedvIIhIheearIy1un1camIounders,vhere
arIIcIanIsvereasLedIosendmoreIImeIuIIdInrojecIsraIherIhan
IheorIzInosIIIonsor,IorexamIe,IoconcenIraIeenerIesondeveIoIn
anaIorIIhmIorIexIuaIanaIysIsraIherIhandevoIInIImeIoaruInaIouI
IheracIaIImIIcaIIonsoIIhIsaIorIIhm.TheyacLsIde,onIheoIherhand,
IscharacIerIzedIymovemenIssuchas-TransIormDH,PosIcoIonIaIDIIIaI
HumanIIIes,andCrIIIcaICodeSIudIesIhaIaIIemIIoIrIncuIIuraIsIudIes
morermIyInIoIheurvIevoIIhedIIIaIhumanIIIes(CecIre;Koh;IIu;
IoIhIan and PhIIIIs; BIsam and Koh). The PosIcoIonIaI DIIIaI HumanI
IIes rou, Ior examIe, Is Iocused on exIorIn Ihe vays race, eIhnIcIIy,
andIormsoIInequaIIIyInIersecIvIIhIhedIIIaIhumanIIIes,scIenceand
IechnoIoysIudIes,andmedIasIudIes.
AI Ihe cenIer oI IhIs deIaIe Is a ruIe IhaI Is sImuIIaneousIy
emhasIzed and conIesIed: IhaI dIIIaI humanIIIes racIIIIoners need Io
ossessacerIaInquoIIenIoIIechnIcaILnovIedeIoIeconsIdereddIIIaI
humanIsIs.TheearIIesIarIIcuIaIIonoIIhIscondIIIonoIenIryIseneraIIy
assocIaIed vIIh SIehen Bamsays zo:: \Ln IaIL, In vhIch he decIared:
DIIIaI HumanIIIes Is noI some aIry Iyceum. II Is a serIes oI concreIe
InsIanIIaIIons InvoIvIn money, sIudenIs, IundIn aencIes, II schooIs,
IIIIIeschooIs,rorams,currIcuIa,oIduards,nevuards,aIeLeeers,and
resIIe. |. . .]DoyouhaveIoLnovhovIocodeImaIenuredroIessoroI
dIIIaIhumanIIIesandIsayyes(WhosIn).BamsaysIaILresIaLedIhe
cIaImIorIechnIcaILnovIedeInIhehacL/yacLdeIaIeIhaIIIonedoesnoI
hacL, Ihen Ihe yacL (or Iheory) Iecomes IrreIevanI. SInIcanIIy, Ihe
resonse Io Bamsays ronouncemenI vas eIecIrIc, usherIn In a sIev oI
arumenIscrIIIcIzInhImIorhIsexcIusIonarysenIImenI(CroxaII;Bamsay,
OnBuIIdIn;Boers).TheseIncIudedacrIIIqueoIexcIusIvIIyvIIhInIhe
dIIIaIhumanIIIescommunIIy(BocLveII),oneIhaIhadrevIousIycIaImed
Io Ie an oen and veIcomIn eId. MIrIam Posner aIso crIIIcIzed IhIs
assumIIonIhaIrorammInLnovIedeIeanecessaryrerequIsIIeIor
enIryInIoIhedIIIaIhumanIIIes,IecauseIIvouIdovervheImInIyIavora
smaIIsecIIonoIIheIoIaIouIaIIonIhaIhadIeenencouraedIoIearnIo
codeIromayounae(andvhoareeneraIIymIddIecIassvhIIemaIes).
DesIIeIhecrIIIquesassocIaIInexecIaIIonsoIIechnIcaILnovI
edevIIhsIrucIuraIrIvIIee,hovever,oIherdIIIaIhumanIsIshavesu
orIed Bamsay, InsIsIIn IhaI vIIhouI IhIs IechnIcaI exerIIse, yacL Is
unrounded and noI useIuI. Ior IhIs rou oI dIIIaI humanIsIs, yacL Is
aIreadyresenIInhacL,meanInIheIheoryIsInIheIuIIdInoIcomu
IaIIonaI sIrucIures (Bauer; Murray1ohn; and NovvIsLIe, DonI CIrcIe),
IorexamIe,1eanBauersarumenIIhaIIhevayInIormaIIonIssIrucIured
vIIhInadaIaIaseaIreadyshovsIIsIheoreIIcaIIeanInsandImIIcaIIons.II
IhIsIsIhecase,IheIacLoIIechnIcaILnovIedeacIsasaIeIIImaIeIarrIer
evenIoIruIIIuIInIervenIIonsInIhehacL/yacLdIvIde.PaIrIcLMurray1ohn
aruesIhaIonedoesnIneedIoIeaoeIIodoIIIerarycrIIIcIsmonoeIry,
IuIIhaIIhIsIsnoIsoInIhedIIIaIvorId.HeusesasanexamIeIheIacI
IhaIaveIIdesIneduserInIerIaceIsconsIrucIedsecIcaIIyIoLeecode
ImIIcII, noI exIIcII. Bamsay has IaLen hIs arumenI IurIher, InvoLIn
IechnIcaILnovIedeInIheuIseoIIuIIdInIoarueIorasearaIIon
oIDH:IromDHz(DHTyes).DH:IsIheeIdIhaIusedIoIeLnovnas
humanIIIescomuIIn,InvhIchIechnIcaILnovIedeIsrequIred,andDHz
IshumanIsIIcInquIryIhaIInsomevayreIaIesIoIhedIIIaI.IorBamsay,
IheIyeoIdIIIaIhumanIIIesIhaIIscurrenIIyIeInaIIacLed(InIheIorm
oI\oocs,IhecororaIIzaIIonoIIheacademy,neoIIIeraIIsm,andhosIIIIIy
IoIheory)IsdIIIaIhumanIIIesInIheIormoIDHz.HearuesIhaIIhere
IsIIIIIereIaIIonshIIeIveenDHzandDH:.
In aII oI Ihese deIaIes, IechnIcaI LnovIede Is consIsIenIIy
emhasIzedordIsmIssedasanImorIanIcondIIIonoIenIryInIoIhedII
IaIhumanIIIescommunIIy.TechnIcaILnovIedeIsIInLedIoIheconceI
oIbuildingandIscasIasameansIyvhIchcommunIIymemIerserIorm
IheIrcIvIcduIIes.InmanyhIsIorIcaImanIIesIaIIonsoIIhesocIaIconIracI,
oIInInIoIheroIecIIonsaordedIycIvIIsocIeIyrequIresIherecIrocaI
erIormanceoIcIvIcduIIes.InsomenaIIonsIaIesIILeIsraeIandSInaore,
IheseduIIesIaLeIheIormoImandaIoryconscrIIIonIoIhearmedIorces
IoranumIeroIyears.InIhesocIaIconIracIoIIhedIIIaIhumanIIIes,Ihese
oIIIaIIonsaearInIheIormoIIheIuIIdInoIdIIIaIroducIs,daIaseIs,
archIves,andIooIs.WIIhouIIhIsIechnIcaILnovIede,IhearumenIoes,
anenIranImaynoIIeaIIeIoenaeIuIIyvIIhIhecommunIIyandcarry
ouIhIsorhercIvIcresonsIIIIIIIes.
Rules and and the Liberal Underpinnings of the
Humanities Computing Social Contract
WhIIeIheymayInIIIaIIyaearIoIedIsaraIe,ruIesoneand
IvoareIInLed.TomScheInIeIdIaruesIhaIIhesuosedIyInherenInIce
ness In Ihe dIIIaI humanIIIes sIems Irom IIs emhasIs on method raIher
IhanIheory.HearuesIhaIIhIsIsvonIIoIeadIoacerIaInLIndoIresoIu
IIon (eIIher one meIhod or anoIher vIns ouI emIrIcaIIy or Ihe racIIcaI
needsoIourrojecIsrequIreussImIyIoIcLoneandmoveon),andIhaI
IhIsIocuscuIsIhrouhIheIodderoIemIyIheorIzaIIon(maLesIIeasyIor
usIocaIIIuIIshII).ThIsIsIndIsIIncIIonIoIhevayInvhIchIheoreIIcaI
arumenIsdIvorcedIromrojecIsareursued,vherecrIIIcsaroachIn
anIssuevIIhsharIyoosedIheorIesmayarueendIessIyoverevIdence
andInIerreIaIIon.AIIhesameIImeIIrecaIIsarumenIsIILeBauersIhaI
IheoreIIcaIImIIcaIIonsareaIreadyImIIcIIvIIhInIhesIrucIureoIIechnI
caIrojecIs.
InmyreadInoIIhIsdIscursIvesIrucIure,eachruIereInIorces
IheoIher.AnemhasIsonmeIhodasIIaIIesIoarojecIvhIchrequIres
IechnIcaILnovIederequIresresoIuIIon,vhIchInIurnIeadsIonIceness
andcoIIeIaIIIy.TomoveavayIromIechnIcaILnovIedevhIchaears
IohaenInBamsaysIormuIaIIonoIDHzIsIomoveavayIromnIceness
andIovardadarLersIdeoIIhedIIIaIhumanIIIes.ProonenIsoIIechnIcaI
LnovIede aear Io Ie aruIn IhaI Io rejecI an emhasIs on meIhod Is
IorejecIanemhasIsoncIvIIIIy.InoIhervords,IheseIvoruIesIormIhe
IasIsoIanaIIemIIoenIorceadIIIaIhumanIIIessocIaIconIracI:necessary
condIIIons(IechnIcaILnovIede)IhaIImosecIvIcresonsIIIIIIIes(cIvIIIIy
andnIceness).
TheconceIoIIhesocIaIconIracIIsuseIuIasamodeIIorexIaIn
In Ihese IeneIs recIseIy Iecause oI IIs IoundaIIonaI sIaIus vIIhIn Ihe
hIsIory oI IIIeraI democracy. The ruIes oI nIceness/cIvIIIIy and IechnIcaI
comeIencecorreIaIesIronIyvIIhIhesocIaIconIracImodeI:cIIIzensaIn
accessIoIhedIIIaIhumanIIIesuIIIcshereIyaIIdInIyIheruIesoIcIvII
IIyandcIvIcresonsIIIIIIy(vhIch,underIheIermsoIIhedIIIaIhumanI
IIessocIaIconIracI,IsaIdIacLIyusInIechnIcaIcomeIence).WIIhouI
enouhIechnIcaILnovIede,IheoryIsaInIedasemIyIheorIzaIIonIhaI
hasnoIearInonIheIruevorLoIIhedIIIaIhumanIIIes.
BuIIhesocIaIconIracImodeIhasIIsroIIems.AsaIoundaIIonaI
mechanIsm Ior IIIeraI democracy, II has Ieen crIIIcIzed Ior Ihe InvIsIIIe
vaysInvhIchIIIsIaseduonInherenIcIass,ender,andraceInequaIIIIes,
ranInIromIheIasIsoIIhesocIaIconIracIInIhesexuaIconIracI,orIhe
roIIemaIIc Idea oI sexrIhI (PaIeman), Ihe esIaIIIshmenI oI a racIaI
sIaIevhereIhesIaIusoIvhIIesandnonvhIIesarecIearIydemarcaIedand
vhIIeracIaInormsaremadearaceIessIdeaI(MIIIs),andIheconceIoI
property,vhIchranesIromoIjecIs(IuIIdIns,IacIorIes,commodIIIes)Io
roerIy In Ihe seII (vhIIeness or race as roerIy, IIoIoIcaI maIerIaI as
roerIy).ThesocIaIconIracImodeIshouIdnoIIeassumedIoIeanIdeaI
modeIIormanaInacommunIIyvIIhouIacIearundersIandInoIIIssocIaI
ImIIcaIIons.
TheInIerconnecIedeIemenIsoIcIvIIIIy/nIcenessandIechnIcaI
comeIence,hovever,maLeumuchoIIheIIIeraIIdeoIoyIhaIunderIrds
Ihe eId oI humanIIIes comuIIn, vhIch many IaLe as Ihe InIeIIecIuaI
IoreIearoIIhedIIIaIhumanIIIes.AsIhavearued,humanities computing
denesIIseIIasaeIdIhaIusescomuIaIIonaImeIhodsIoansverorchaI
IeneexIsIInresearchquesIIonsvIIhInIhehumanIIIes,andIIemIoysa
numIeroImeIhods,ranInIromIheencodInoIIexIuaIcororadravn
IromcanonIcaIauIhorsandvIsuaIreresenIaIIonsoIIhesearchIvesIoD
modeIInoIhIsIorIcaIsIIes.TheshIIIIromhumanIIIescomuIInIoIhe
monILer dIIIaI humanIIIes IaLes Iace, as Ihe sIory oes, vhen 1ohn
InsvorIh suesIed digital humanities as a nev Ierm Io InIervene In a
IussIeIeIveenhumanIIIescomuIInanddIIIIzedhumanIIIesvhen
IIIIIn vhaI IaIer Iecame Ihe Blackwell Companion to Digital Humani-
ties (KIrschenIaum, (DH) SIars; Bamsay, DH Tyes), a eneaIoIcaI
IrajecIoryIhaIIImIIsIhecurrenIshaeoIIhedIIIaIhumanIIIes.
Many oI Ihe roonenIs oI Ihe dIIIaI humanIIIes IhaI I have
cIIedIndescrIIInIheIoundaIIonaIsocIaIconIracIoIIhedIIIaIhumanIIIes
IdenIIIyIhemseIvesandIhedIIIaIhumanIIIesasaeIdaschamIonIn
IhevaIuesoIhumanIIIescomuIIn(Brennan;KIrschenIaum;NovvIsLIe;
Bamsay, DH Tyes; SIncIaIr). NaIaIIa CecIre has aIso oInIed ouI IhaI
sIudyIn Ihe vaIues oI Ihe humanIIIes comuIIn communIIy reveaIs IIs
IIIeraIunderInnIns.TheseIoundaIIons,hovever,mayIeInadequaIeIor
schoIars vho aroach Ihe eId Irom ouIsIde Ihe IradIIIonaI humanIIIes
comuIInvanIaeoInI.AsBooILaBIsamhasaruedInreIaIIonIodII
IaI humanIIIes and cIIIzenshI, schoIars vho do noI exerIence Ihe race,
cIass,andenderrIvIIeesIhaIdeIermIneenIryInIoIhedIIIaIhumanIIIes
communIIyneedIocIaImIorIhemseIvesIheIrovnsacevIIhInIhedIIIaI
humanIIIescommunIIyraIherIhanexecIIhaIsaceIoIeIvenIoIhem.
TheroIIemsemIeddedvIIhInIhecurrenIsocIaIconIracIoIIhe
dIIIaIhumanIIIescanIeresoIvedIyexandInIheeneaIoyoIIheeId
IeyondhumanIIIescomuIInandIIsIIIeraImoorIns.ThereareIncreas
InIyIoudcaIIsIodIversIIyvhaIIsmeanIIydigital humanities.MovemenIs
suchas-TransIormDH,PosIcoIonIaIDIIIaIHumanIIIes,andCrIIIcaICode
SIudIesarueIhaIexamInaIIonsoIhIhroIerojecIsIhaIhavereceIved
suorIvIIhInIhehumanIIIescomuIIncommunIIyhavenoIaIdsu
cIenIaIIenIIonIoIssuessuchasIoIaIovsandInequaIIIyandquesIIonsoI
race,cIass,ender,anddIsaIIIIIy.WhIIedIIIaIhumanIIIesroonenIshave
IradIIIonaIIyheIdIhaIIhedIIIaIhumanIIIeshasdIerenIoIjecIIvesIrom
IhoseoInevmedIasIudIes,IIvouIdradIcaIIyreshaeIheeIdIoconsIder
nevmedIasIudIesoneoIIIscurrenIcomonenIs.NevmedIasIudIesIsa
eIdIhaIhasveIcomedseIIreexIvecrIIIcaIaroachesIhaIIIendmedIa
Iheory,race,ender,andcuIIuraIsIudIes,andoIIIIcaIcrIIIqueaIouIIech
noIoyandcuIIure.IIsaNaLamurasvorL,IorexamIe,vhIchhasexIored
IheemIeddednessoIracIaIIdenIIIIesonvIrIuaIcommunIIIesonIheWeI,
IrInsInIosharIocussomeoIIhecuIIuraIImIIcaIIonsoIusInnevIorms
oIIechnoIoy.IINaLamuravereIncIudedvIIhInIheeneaIoyoIaIound
IndIIIaIhumanIIIes,BamsaysdIsIIncIIonsIeIveenDH:andzvouIdIe
renderedunnecessary,amoveIhaIIsmuchneeded.
WeneedanexandedeneaIoyIorIhedIIIaIhumanIIIes.We
needIocasIourIormuIaIIonoIIhehIsIoryoIIhedIIIaIhumanIIIesIeyond
IheeIdoIhumanIIIescomuIInIoIncororaIeInIoIIsInIeIIecIuaIeneaI
oysucheIdsasnevmedIasIudIes,oiY(doIIyourseII )dIIIaIrecovery
rojecIsIromIhe:ggos,dIIIaIrojecIsonosIcoIonIaIsIudIes,andvorL
IaLInIaceouIsIdeoIIherovenanceoIIheInIIedSIaIesandIheInIIed
KIndom.WeshouIdIncIudeInIhIshIsIory,IorexamIe,IhevorLoIosI
coIonIaIandIemInIsIscIenceandIechnoIoysIudIes(HardIn;Beardon),
AIondraNeIsonandAnnaIvereIIsImorIanIvorLonAIroIuIurIsmIrom
IheearIyzooos,andoIhervarIedschoIarshIonraceandIheInIerneI(Chun;
NaLamura)ascrIIIcaIsIarIInoInIsInIhedIIIaIhumanIIIes.
IncaIIInIoranexandedeneaIoyoIIhedIIIaIhumanIIIes,
I do noI InIend Io dImInIsh Ihe ImorIance oI humanIIIes comuIIn and
IIsconIrIIuIIons.ThevorLoIhumanIIIescomuIInhasIeenInIeraIIo
IheshaInoIIhedIIIaIhumanIIIesIhaIveLnovIoday.AIIhesameIIme,
Iy IurnIn a crIIIcaI eye on Ihe humanIIIes comuIIn socIaI conIracI, I
emhasIze, rsI, IhaI IeIn crIIIcaI oI Ihe hIIosohIcaI rooIs oI cIvIIIIy
does not give us license to be uncollegial with one another;andsecond,IhaI
technical knowledge is still importantIomeanInIuIenaemenIIndIIIaI
humanIIIesdIscussIons.TheacIIveexercIseoIcrIIIcaIreasonandIvIn
IhIs exercIse sace Io Iay ouIIs a vaIuaIIe mechanIsm IhaI Ihe dIIIaI
humanIIIesneeds.IamaruInIoracrIIIcaIanaIysIsoIIheerIormaIIvIIy
oIoursocIaIconIracIandasLInourcommunIIyIoenIerIaInmoreorous
IoundarIes Io encourae IurIher enaemenI In our eId. II enIranIs do
noIossessIheIechnIcaILnovIede,IeIsndvaysIoIeachIIIoIhemIna
veIcomInmanner.IIIheIrcrIIIquesaearIoIeuncIvII,IeIsIryIoIurIher
emaIhIzevIIhIheIrersecIIvesandIoIemoreseIIreexIveoIourovn
rIvIIee.TodooIhervIseIsIoresIrIcIIheoIenIIaIoIIheeId.
IInaIIy,IasLIoraIroadereneaIoyoIIhedIIIaIhumanIIIes
IecauseIhIsvIIIaIIovareaIeremhasIsonIhehumanitiesasecIoIIhe
dIIIaIhumanIIIes.OnIyIhrouhvIdenInIhIsInIeIIecIuaIeneaIoyvIII
ve IaLe Ihe humanities arI oI Ihe dIIIaI humanIIIes more serIousIy; Iy
encouraIn anaIysIs oI Ihe vays In vhIch cuIIuraI, socIaI, and oIIIIcaI
roducIsareshaedandshaedeveIoInIormsoIIechnoIoy.OnIyIhen
vIII ve rIse aIove quesIIons aIouI vhaI and hov Ihe dIIIaI humanIIIes
dIers Irom eIds such as comuIer scIences and move Iovard a IuIure
vhereIhedIIIaIhumanIIIesdoesnIexIsIsImIyasahandmaIdenIomore
IradIIIonaIIIeraIIonsoIIhehumanIIIes.
norLiNr xouIsAssIsIanIProIessoroIIIIeraIureandDIrecIoroIDH+SIocLIon,IheDIIIaI
HumanIIIes CenIer aI BIchard SIocLIon CoIIee (hII://dh.sIocLIon.edu). Her vorL sans
IheInIersecIIonsIeIveenosIcoIonIaIsIudIesandIhedIIIaIhumanIIIes,nIneIeenIhand
IvenIIeIhcenIuryBrIIIshandAnIohoneIIIeraIureandSouIheasIAsIanandAIrIcansIud
Ies, and ames In hIher educaIIon. She Is currenIIy vorLIn on a monorah IIIIed Cos
mooIIIan WhIIeness on Ihe conuraIIons oI vhIIeness In osIcoIonIaI IIIeraIure. Koh
dIrecIs DIIIIzIn ChInese InIIshmen, a dIIIaI archIvaI rojecI on nIneIeenIhcenIury
AsIan\IcIorIansInSouIheasIAsIa,andIheStockton Postcolonial Studies Project,anonIIne
maazIneoIosIcoIonIaIsIudIes.SheIsIhedesIneroITrading Races,aneIaIoraIehIsIorI
caIroIeIayInamedesInedIoIeachraceconscIousnessInIheunderraduaIecIassroom,
andrunsIhePostcolonial Digital HumanitiesveIsIIe andTumIIrIIovIIhBooILaBIsam.
SheIsaIsoacoreconIrIIuIorIoIheProI hacLercoIumnaIIheChronicle of Higher Education.
Bauer,1ean.WhoYouCaIIInInIheoreIIcaIJournal of Digital Humanities:.:(zo::).hII://
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Brennan,SheIIa.WeAre vvcuN\.Lot 8Mar.zo:z.hII://vvv.IoIIorIynIne.or/zo:z/o
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ChaIIerjee,ParIha.The Politics of the Governed: Reections on Popular Politics in Most of the
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Chun,WendyHuIKyon.Programmed Visions: Software and Memory.CamIrIde:\i1,zo::.
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Sen,1aI.InaInCrIIIcaIIyvIIhIheBeaIIIyandConceIoICIvIISocIeIy.PP Foundation.
:Ar.zo::.hII://zIoundaIIon.neI/InaIn_CrIIIcaIIy_vIIh_Ihe_BeaIIIy_and_ConceI_oI
_CIvII_SocIeIy.
SIncIaIr,SIeIan.DIIIaIHumanIIIesandSIardom.Stfan Sinclair(IIo).:1an.zo::.hII://
sIeIansIncIaIr.name/dhsIardom/.
SInh, NILhII PaI. Black Is a Country: Race and the Unnished Struggle for Democracy.
CamIrIde:Harvard i, zoo.
-TransIormDH.#TransformDH.hII://IransIormdh.or(accessedz1uIyzo:).
WhIIson,Boer.WhyIIoveIheDIIIaIHumanIIIes.rogerwhitson(IIo).gMar.zo:z.hII://
vvv.roervhIIson.neI/=:z.
\oIumez,NumIer: ooi:o.:z:/:oog:zzooz:
nLrxnNorvv.cnLLovnY
The Cybernetic Hypothesis
1nIrosecIIonIsoIIennecessaryInacademIcvorL,noIsImIy
concernInIheoIjecIsoIIhemIndIuIaIsoIheacIuaImannerInvhIchInIeI
IecIuaIvorLIsdone.ThIsIyIcaIIycomesunderIheheadInoImeIhodoIoy.
YeIIhemeanInoImeIhodoIoyIsnoIaIvayscIear,arIIcuIarIyvIIhInIhe
socaIIedIheorydIscIIInesIhaIsanMarxIsm,IemInIsm,osIsIrucIuraI
Ism, sychoanaIysIs, and reIaIed eIds. Some reIer Ihe seIIservIn and
somevhaI vaIn convIcIIon IhaI Iheory and meIhodoIoy are one and Ihe
same ursuII. Hence doIn Iheory vouId seem Io reemI Ihe Ihorny
exercIseoImeIhodoIoIcaIInIrosecIIon,renderInIImooI.WhyseaLoI
meIhodvhenIheoryIsnoIhInIuImeIhodWhyvorryaIouIoIherIasLs
vhenIheoryIsLIn
YeIIhereaIIIyoIhIhereducaIIonconIradIcIssuchaIconcIu
sIons. In IacI, academIc haIIs are IeemIn vIIh a vasI array oI dIerenI
researchmeIhods,IromIheosIIIvIsIIcexedIencyoIquanIIIaIIveInvesIIa
IIon,IoIhesIaInoIeIhnorahIcInIervIevs,IoIhenarraIIvereducIIonsoI
hIsIorIorahy,IoIhevarIousInsIrumenIaIIzedsIraInsoIhermeneuIIcssuch
asIheMarxIsIreadIn,IheIemInIsIreadIn,orIhesychoanaIyIIcreadIn.
108 The Cybernetic Hypothesis
InoIhervords,meIhodoIoyIodayhasadIsIIncIIyIIIeraIroIe.
IoreveryIasIe,IhereIsameIhodIomaIch.IoreveryredIIecIIon,IhereIs
asaIIsIacIIonIoIehad.InorderIoIesuccessIuIIoday,asIudenIorschoIar
musIInIernaIIzeIhemanyoIIonsandenacIIhemarorIaIeIyIvenIhe
IasLaIhand;IhIsmeIhodIorIhaIroIIem,IoIIovedIyanevmeIhodIorIhe
nexI.InIhIssense,meIhodoIoyIodayIsoIIenmoreaquesIIonoIarorI
aIenessIhanexIsIenIIaII,moreaquesIIonoIersonaIsIyIeIhanunIversaI
conIexI,moreaquesIIonoIramaIIsmIhanunvaverInconvIcIIon.
BuIarorIaIenessIsaIhornyIusIness,andnoIeveryonearees
on maIIers oI IasIe. Many meIhodoIoIcaI dIscussIons devoIve InIo a sorI
oIouIarIIyconIesI.WhoadvocaIesvhaImeIhodandIorvhaIurose
WhIcheneraIequIvaIenIIrumsaIIoIhersIsIIsexuaIIIy,orIsIIcIass,or
IsIIIheIu,u,IhearchIve,Iheaze,desIre,Iay,excess,sInuIarIIy,resIs
Iance,orerhasIIIeIIseII,eIevaIInonemeIhodoIoIcaIIormaIIonaIove
aIIoIhersInaIrIumhanIcrIIIque(IoendaIIIuIurecrIIIque)
AconIradIcIIonIhusemeres:IhehIsIorIcaIIorcesIhaIener
aIeIIIeraIecumenIcaIIsmareIhesameIorcesIhaIsIrIveIocanaIIzeand
enIraInsuchheIeroeneIIyunderasInIesymIoIIcorder.TheIIIeraIroIe
oIconIemoraryschoIarIymeIhodoIoyIsIhusaLIndoImeIhodeecIIn
vhIchdIversIIyoImeIhodIssImuIIaneousIyasserIedandvIIhheId.
ThesIIuaIIonIsevenmoreuzzIIn,hovever,asmanyhumanIIIes
dIscIIIneshaveInrecenIyearsmarLedashIIIavayIromquaIIIaIIvemeIhods,
asdIverseandmuIIIIudInousasIheyare,InIavoroImorequanIIIaIIveand
emIrIcaIresearchIechnIques.InanaarenIreIuIomeIhodoIoIcaIecu
menIcaIIsm,IheosIIIvIsIIcexedIencyoIquanIIIaIIveresearchhasIendedIo
ouIanLoIhermeIhodsvIIhInWesIernmodernIIy,asIodaysdeIaIearound
dIIIaI humanIIIes aaIn maLes cIear. AeaIs Io emIrIcaI verIcaIIon, Io
IhereducIIonoIcomIexIIyInIosImIIcIIy,IoIherIncIIesoIreeaIaIIIIIy
andoIjecIIvIIy,IoIhesequenIIaIIoIcoIIhesyIIoIsmorIhededucIIvearu
menIaeaIs, In shorI, Io Ihe aradIm oI InIIhIenmenI reason handed
dovnsInceIheBaroqueIurnoIDescarIes,KeIer,UaIIIeo,andIeIInIzhave
raduaIIyededouIaIIIheoIhers.AIIIeraIarrayoIossIIIIIIIesaIvanIzed
IoasInIemeIhodoIoIcaIIendencyIuIvhy,andhov
Perhas Ihe very quesIIon oI meIhod reIers Io IhaI momenI In
hIsIory vhen LnovIede Iecomes roducIIon, vhen LnovIede Ioses IIs
aIsoIuIecIaImsIoImmanenIecacy,vhenLnovIedeceasesIeInInIuI
IIveandmusIIeIeIIImIzedvIarecourseIosomeLIndoImeIadIscourse.
The aIIIIIy Io seaL auIhorIIaIIveIy Is noI a nevIound rIhI IesIoved on
humanIIy In Ihe modern erIod, as recounIed In Ihe varIous narraIIves
around IrIumhanI secuIarIsm, Ihe deaIh oI Uod, and Ihe rIse oI reason.
Today, such auIhorIIy Is recIseIy Ihe IhIn corruIed and deIased InIo
aIImanneroIInIeIIecIuaIhaIIn.MeIhodIsaIreadyIramenIedvhenII
arrIves;IheaoIheosIscomesIaIer.
So Io oIserve IhaI quanIIIaIIve, raIIonaIIsIIc meIhods Iecame
domInanIIsnoIsImIyIocIaImIhaIscIenIIcosIIIvIsmvonIheIaIIIeoI
vIIs, havIn IransIormed Ihe naIure oI LnovIede roducIIon and IruIh
sInceIheearIymodernerIod.IIIsaIsosomeIhIneIse,IorIheIIIeraIIIera
IIon oI meIhodoIoIes (In Ihe IuraI) Is IIseII a meIhodeecI. The IIIeraI
IIeraIIonIsrecIseIyIheonIyavoravaIIaIIeIoanyonesuIscrIIInIoIhe
cuIIoIscIenIIcosIIIvIsmInIhersIIace.
WhaIoIhermodecouIdossIIIyIeasecIenIasuresuIIaIIIIIy
IIseII,ureIndIvIduaIarorIaIeness,IheravranuIarIIyoIeveryIody
saIIaIedIyIIsovnunIquesecIcIIyAsvIIhosIIordIsm,vhaIresuIIsIs
aeIdoIInnIIecusIomIzaIIon,vhereeachIhInLerhasameIhodIaIIored
IohIsorherreIerences.SuchcaacIousIIIeraIIsmIaLesreaIrIdeInIhe
IacIIhaInosInIemeIhodoIoIcaIauIhorIIycaneverIruIyIeIrIumhanI,
vheIher IhaI auIhorIIy Ie Uod, ]uuun, ramaIIc reasonaIIeness, or
osIIIvIsIIcverIaIIIIIy.InoIhervords,evenInIheIaceoIIheseemInIII
eraIIramenIaIIonoIIhemanymeIhodoIoIes,suchIIIeraIIsmneverIheIess
sImuIIaneousIyenshrInesIheIavoIosIIIvIsIIcecIency,IorvhaIcouId
IemoreecIenIIhanInnIIecusIomIzaIIonWhaIIeIIervayIovranIe
IhIsraInIovcoaIIIIonIhanIoranIeveryoneInIIIheIreedomIodovhaI
heorshevIIISIandardIzeIhevorIdandLIIIIhesIrII,IuIemoverdIer
enceandIheIndIvIduaIIsunchaIned.InshorI,underosIIordIsm,IIIeraI
ecumenIcaIIsmandosIIIvIsIIcecIencyshareasecIaIreIaIIonshI.
IorcuIIuraIvorLers,IhIsresenIssomeIhInoIaroIIem.The
IrIumhoIquanIIIaIIvemeIhodsseemsIodevaIueandexcIudemuchoIvhaI
cuIIuraIvorLersdo.AndIhereverseIsIrueasveII,sIncemanycuIIuraI
vorLersoIIenseeIIIIIeoInIInosIIIvIsIIcursuIIs,reuIarIyvrIIInIhem
oasvronheaded,souIIess,ormyoIc.IacedvIIhsuchcrIsesoImeIhod,
some cuIIuraI vorLers reIer Io vIIhdrav InIo a more rIorous crIIIcaI
racIIce, noI, as IheIr deIracIors mIhI cIaIm, Io cIIn Io some sense oI
cIoIsIeredsecurIIyranIedIoIhearmchaIrhIIosoher,IuIIecauseoIIhe
nevIoundersecIIveaInedIromIhInLInInavayIhaIIsasymmeIrIcaI
IoIhecurrenIsIaIeoIaaIrs.
YeIhumanIsIsursuInquanIIIaIIveresearchmeIhodsIacean
addIIIonaIchaIIene,IorIodayscororaIeIIIansconsIsIoIIIIIIemoreIhan
hIhIyevoIvedmodesoIquanIIIaIIveresearch.AnInIerneIsearchcomanys
aeranLaIorIIhmIasInIoamassoIInIeIIecIuaIIaIorerIormedInIhe
eId.IIsuIemenIsIhIsIaIorInmassvIIhIIsovnInIeIIecIuaIIaIor,Ihe
IaIor oI daIa exIracIIon, sIorae, and rocessIn. So In many cases, vhaI
usedIoIeInIeIIecIuaIvorLIsnovIndusIrIaIvorL.WhenusInquanIIIaIIve
meIhodoIoIesInIheacademy(sIderIn,samIIn,surveyIn,arsIn,and
rocessIn),onemusIcomeIeIroadIyvIIhIhesorIsoImedIaenIerrIsesaI
vorLInIheconIemoraryIechnoIoysecIor.AcuIIuraIvorLervhodeIoys
suchmeIhodsIsIIIIIemoreIhanaIesserAmazonoraIesserIquIIax.
AcenIuryao,caIIaIhadamonooIyonIhehysIcaImaIerIaIIIy
oIroducIIon.NovIIhasamonooIyonIheImmaIerIaIshereoIInIormaIIc
commerce.IndusIryhasnaIIymovedInIoIhereaImoIInIeIIecIuaIIaIor,
andIymosIreorIsIIIsexceIIInIeyondaIIexecIaIIons.ManyschoIarIy
researchersmusIIhereIoreIaceasIarIIInIacI:IhecororaIesecIorsIm
IyhasIarsuerIordaIareservesaIIIsdIsosaI.Thus,InIheInIormaIIon
socIeIy, Ihe schoIar oI InIormaIIon vIII Iorever Ie Iraed In a decII oI
resources,IayIncaIchuIehIndIhescadsoImaIhemaIIcsPhDsonsIa
aI UooIe. Never IeIore In hIsIory have ImmaIerIaI and InIormaIIc asseIs
IeensocIoseIyInIerIvInedvIIhcaIIaI.
BuIIeyondIhechaIIeneoIunequaIIaIenIandresourcesIsIhe
quesIIonoIcrIIIcaIecacy.IsIIarorIaIeIodeIoyosIIIvIsIIcIechnIques
aaInsI Ihose seIIsame osIIIvIsIIc IechnIques In a Iormer IIme, such
crIIIcIsmvouIdnoIhaveIeenvaIIdorevennecessary.MarxvasvrIIIn
aaInsIasysIemIhaIIaIdnosecIccIaImsIoIheaaraIusoILnovIede
roducIIonIIseIIevenIIIIvasIueIedIyaersIsIenIandernIcIousIormoI
IdeoIoIcaImIsreconIIIon.YeI,IodayIhesIaIeoIaaIrsIsenIIreIyreversed.
The nev sIrII oI caIIaIIsm Is Iound In IraInvorL, seIImeasuremenI
and seIIIashIonIn, ereIuaI crIIIque and InnovaIIon, daIa creaIIon and
exIracIIon.InshorI,doIncaIIaIIsIvorLanddoInInIeIIecIuaIvorLoI
any varIeIy, IoureoIs or roressIveare more aIIned Ioday Ihan Ihey
haveeverIeen.HenceIhereaearssomeIhInoIamoraIcrIsIsconcern
InIheveryvaIIdIIyoIschoIarIymeIhodoIoIes.SuchmeIhodsareaIIesI
underIundedandImoIenIcousInsIoIhenevaIorIIhmIcIndusIrIesand
aIvorsIunLnovInshIIIsIorIhaIsamesysIemoIcanaIIzaIIonanddeIase
menI.ThequesIIonIsnoIonercanveuseIhemasIersIooIsIoIaLedovn
IhemasIershouseTodayIhequesIIonIscanvesIIIIuseourovnIooIs
novIhaIIhemasIerhasIaLenIhemu
BeyondsImIyasserIInordescrIIInIheexIsIenceoIacerIaIn
socIaI,cuIIuraI,andeconomIcaradIm,IeyondsImIymoraIIzInaIouI
II or IomenIIn some LInd oI reInvIoraIed hermeneuIIcs oI susIcIon
IashIoned Io deIunL II, I vIsh Io shIII Ione and rovIde a more deIaIIed
IcIure oI Ihe conIemorary Iandscae. Hov and vhen vere Ihe seeds oI
Ihe dIIIaI unIverse IanIed WhaI are Ihe hIsIorIcaI condIIIons IhaI had
IoIedeveIoedInorderIorIheconceIoIIhed,IuIumunIIomaLe
sense When and hov dId Ihe creaIIon and recomIInaIIon oI LnovIede
aInIIsdIsIIncIIyIIIeraIroIeInvhIcheachIhInLermayursuehIsor
herovnauIonomousoaIsWhyvouIdsuchanarranemenIIeIenecIaI
IorIheexIracIIonoIsurIusvaIueTheaImhereIsIhusIoexIoreIhehIs
IoryoIdIIIaIsocIeIyIncIassIcIoucauIdIanIashIon,IoexIoresomeoIIhe
condIIIonsoIossIIIIIIyIorcyIerneIIcsocIeIy.NorIerIWIenerInvenIed
IhescIenceoIcyIerneIIcs,oIcourse,IuIvhaIcondIIIonsoIossIIIIIIyhad
IohaveIeenInvenIedInyearsrIorIorhImIoIeaIIeIoInnovaIeCIaude
ShannonuIIorIhanevmodeIoIInIormaIIonscIence,IuIvhaIcondIIIons
oIossIIIIIIyhadIoexIsIaIreadyIorIhevorIdIoIeconceIvedasInIorma
IIonInIhersIIaceThusIoerasIIhIIydIerenIhIsIoryoIcyIerneI
IcsnoIIooverIurnIheexIsIInhIsIorIes,IuIIoexIendandreorIenIIhem.
ThIs suIemenIary hIsIory sIarIs earIIer In Ihe IvenIIeIh cenIury (vIIh
ImorIanIaddIIIonaIrecedenIsInIhenIneIeenIhIhaIvemusIsLIIorIhe
momenI)andconIInuesIoIheresenIday,reIyInonsourcesdravnIrom
medIa,cuIIure,IechnoIoy,andhIIosohy.
TheIasIcarumenIIvIshIoroosehereIsIhaIIheIIIeraIhue
oIconIemorarymeIhodoIoyvIIhquanIIIaIIveosIIIvIsmservInasIhe
overnoroIIheraInIovcoaIIIIonIschIeydueIoasInIehIsIorIcaIhe
nomenonIhaIhasIaLenIaceoverrouhIyIheIasIcenIury.TaLInaae
IromIheIrenchcoIIecIIveTIqqun,vemIhIIaIeIIhIshIsIorIcaIhenom
enonIhe)InI)puI.SuchahyoIhesIsreIersIoasecIceIsIe
moIoIcaIreImeInvhIchsysIemsorneIvorLscomIIneIoIhhumanand
nonhumanaenIsInmuIuaIcommunIcaIIonandcommand.AIonvIIhIhe
manyreIaIedeIdsIhaIaraIIeIcyIerneIIcsneIvorLscIencesIILeecoIoy,
sysIemsIheory,andrahIheory;IhescIencesoIeconomIcdecIsIonsuch
asameIheoryandraIIonaIchoIceIheory;InIormaIIonscIenceandsInaI
rocessIn;IehavIorIsm,conIIIvIsm,andIheosIIreudIanscIencesoIIhe
suIjecIIhecyIerneIIchyoIhesIshascomeIodomInaIeIheroducIIonand
reuIaIIonoIsocIeIyandcuIIure.TIqqunvIevsIhecyIerneIIchyoIhesIs
asanevLIndoIsocIaImanaemenIInvoIvInIoIhhumanandnonhuman
asseIs.|A]IIheendoIIheIvenIIeIhcenIuryIheImaeoIsIeerIn,IhaIIs
IosaymanaemenI,hasIecomeIherImarymeIahorIodescrIIenoIonIy
oIIIIcsIuIaIIoIhumanacIIvIIyasveII().
Indeed,InIheIasIIevdecadesvehavevIInessedIheIuIIImenI
oIIhecyIerneIIchyoIhesIsvIIhIherIseoIcomuIersandmedIaInIoIh
academIaandsocIeIyaIIare.ThIshasroducedanumIeroIconIenIIous
deIaIesaroundIhenaIureandcuIIureoILnovIedevorL.PerhasIhemosI
acIIve conversaIIon concerns Ihe sIaIus oI hermeneuIIcs and crIIIque, or
vhaIIImeansIoreadIoday.SomeasserIIhaIIheIurnIovardcomuIers
andmedIadesIaIIIIzesIheIyIcaIvayInvhIchIexIsarereadandInIer
reIed. The dIscussIon oIIen hInes on Ihe rIse oI dIIIaI medIa and Ihe
vayInvhIchIIseemsIodesIaIIIIzeIhesIaIvarIcrIIIcaIandInIerreIIve
IechnIquesoIreadIn.SomearueIhaIdIIIaIIIyshIIIsIheIocusavayIrom
IhInsIILesIyIe,symIoI,andaIIeory,andIovardIhInsIILeIechnIque,
maIerIaIIIy, and Ihe archIve. As SIehen BesI and Sharon Marcus have
recenIIy arued, comuIers are veaL InIerreIers IhaI roduce more
accuraIe LnovIede aIouI IexIs and hence jIIe veII vIIh a nev LInd oI
reader characIerIzed Iy mInImaI crIIIcaI aency (:). Iranco MoreIIIs
arumenI In 1IunI !udn, Is sImIIar: comuIers are useIuI readers
IecauseIheyImroveemIrIcaIaccuracyIyerIormInLIndsoIresearch
IhaIaredIcuIIIorhumans,suchasreadInvasIIyIarercoruses,IdenIIIy
InemerenIhenomenavIacIusIerInaIorIIhms,andmaInnumerous
daIaoInIssaIIaIIy(.:).ManyoIIheseschoIarIyexchanesaresIIIIquIIe
acIIveIoday,andamonanumIeroIImorIanIreIerencesIvIIImereIycIIe
AIanIIusIhorouhdescrIIIonoIIhecurrenIsIaIeoIdIIIaIhumanIIIes
(zo:)andIIIzaIeIhWeedsresonseIoBesIandMarcusIndeIenseoIacer
IaInLIndoIcrIIIcaIIIy(zo:z).Indeed,IheresenIsecIaIIssueoIdns
hasIeendesInedvIIhrecIseIyIhIsdeIaIeInmInd.
By IaIeIIn II a hyoIhesIs, TIqqun meanI Io sIress Ihe rovI
sIonaI naIure oI cyIerneIIcs and Ihe comuIaIIonaI and medIa socIeIy II
enIaIIs.TheymeanIIhaIcyIerneIIcsIsaIechnoIoIcaIroosaIandIhus,
IILeanyexerImenIaIhyoIhesIs,suIjecIIoraIIcaIIonorIndeedreIuIaIIon.
IILeTIqqun,IaIsovIshIohIsIorIcIzeIhIsdIIIaIunIverse,descrIIInIIIess
asourcoIIecIIveIaIeIhanasaserIesoIsecIcshIIIsInIheIoundaIIonsoI
LnovIedeandcuIIure.
ThecyIerneIIchyoIhesIsmayIedenedIroadIyornarrovIy.
InIhemosInarrovsense,cyIerneIIcscomesIromIhevorLoIWIenerand
hIsImorIanIresearchInIheyearsImmedIaIeIyIoIIovInWorIdWar II.
YeI In a more eneraI sense, cyIerneIIcs reIers Io any LInd oI reuIaIory
sysIemInvhIchhumanandnonhumanaenIsareconnecIedInneIvorLs
Figure 1
NeIvorLrah
IIIusIraIInchar
acIerreIaIIonshIs
InShaLeseares
HumII.Iachchar
acIerIsdIsIayed
asadIscreIeenIIIy
vIIhInaneIvorL;
characIersarecon
necIedaccordInIo
secIcroIocoIs
suchasvheIheror
noIIheyseaLIInes
IoeIheronsIaeaI
IhesameIIme.
Source:MoreIIIz:
oIconIroIandcommunIcaIIon.BecauseoIIhIs,cyIerneIIcsIsoIIencred
IIedvIIhInauuraIInaarIIcuIarhIsIorIcaIreIaIIonshIIeIveensuIjecI
and vorId. SecIcaIIy, cyIerneIIcs reIashIons Ihe vorId as a )Im and
reIashIonsIhesuIjecIasanu,nI.
AsysIemIsanareaIIonoIIhInsIrouhIIoeIherIoIorma
comIexvhoIe.CyIerneIIcsaImsIovIevIhevorIdasoneormoresysIems.
ThesysIemsmayIearranedandIInLedIaIeraIIyorsIacLedorIhoonaIIy
as sysIem, suIsysIem, and suer sysIem. Here I vIII assume a neIvorL
modeI Ior sysIems, meanIn an archIIecIure oI nodes and IInLs In vhIch
InIeracIIonandcommunIcaIIonmayassIromoneoInIInIhesysIemIo
anoIher. Indeed, an ImorIanI characIerIsIIc oI cyIerneIIc sysIems Is an
InIernaImessaeIooInvhIchmessaesorIInaIInvIIhInIhesysIemaIso
eecIIheoeraIIonoIIhesysIem.ThIsresuIIsIndynamIcchane,and,as
aresuII,sysIemsuseIeedIacLInorderIomIIIaIeImIaIanceandursue
homeosIasIs.UIvenIheIroveraIIcomIexIIy,cyIerneIIcsysIemsaIsorequIre
ahIhIeveIoIconIroI.ThussuchsysIemsrequIreasuIsIdIarymechanIsm
IoroveraIIoranIzaIIonandmanaemenI.UIvenIhesequaIIIIes,sysIemsare
aIsoIesIundersIoodasaIorIIhmIc,vhIchIsIosayoeraIIonaIorexecuI
aIIeraIherIhansIaIIcordescrIIIve,InIhaIIheyrescrIIeaseIoIossIIIe
IehavIorsandIhenIacIIIIaIeIhesIeIysIeexecuIIonoIIhoseIehavIors
accordInIodynamIcvarIaIIesorIInaIInIromvIIhInIhesysIem.
AnaenIIsanenIIIycaaIIeoIcarryInouIanacIIon.CyIer
neIIcsassumesIhaIanaenImayIeeIIheranImaIormachIne,humanor
nonhuman.ThusanaIrcraIIIIoImayIeanaenI,IuIsoIooareIhedIaIs
and conIroIs In Ihe cocLII, sInce Ihey carry ouI Ihe acIIons oI coIIecIIn
anddIsIrIIuIInvIIaIInIormaIIonsuchasaIIIIudeandseed.ToeIherIhe
IIoIandIheaIrcraIIIormacyIerneIIcsysIem.AenIsInsuchsysIemsare
assumedIoIeauIonomousIoIhemseIvesandarranedonequaIIooIIn
vIsavIsIhesysIemasavhoIe.WhaIIhIsmeansIsIhaI,vhIIeaenIsmayIe
vIIdIydIerenIInIheIrreIaIIvesIzeandover,eachaenIIsendovedvIIh
IheoveroIIocaIdecIsIonaccordInIoIhevarIaIIesandIuncIIonsvIIhIn
IIsovnIocaIscoe.ThusvhIIeIheIIoIandInsIrumenIsarenoIequaIIn
overorIye,IheyInIeroeraIeasequaIeersIoIheexIenIIhaIeachmay
accommodaIe InuIs and ouIuIs and each may Inuence Ihe ouIcome oI
IheoveraIIsysIem.AenIsareIhusundersIoodasmoreorIessauIonomous
andequaIaIIheIeveIoIIheIrsysIemaIIcIIy.InIacI,aenIsarenoIhInmore
IhansuIsysIemsvIIhInIhesuersysIem.UIvenIheexIsIenceoImuIIIIe
aenIs,sysIemsaIsodIsIayIhequaIIIyoIseIIoranIzaIIon,meanInIhaI
noexIernaImeIahysIcsdenesordIcIaIesIheIehavIoroIIhesysIem.Sys
IemsareIhusseIIdeIermInInandreIyonahIhdereeoIreexIvIIyand
seIIreIerenIIaIIIyInorderIovorLroerIy.
ThIs LInd oI aenI InIrasIrucIure roduces a Iev ImorIanI
resuIIs,IhersIhavInIodovIIhIheaenIsIhemseIves,andIhesecond
havInIodovIIhIheLIndoImessaesIhaIovIeIveenIhem.IIrsI,vhIIe
cyIerneIIcsysIemsdonoIrequIredIIIaImessaeencodInerse(anaIo
sInaIsvorLjusIneInaIhermosIaI,IorexamIe),suchsysIemsaredIIIaI
aI Ihe IeveI oI InIrasIrucIure due Io a necessarIIy aIomIsIIc archIIecIure.
IILeIheIInesandIoxesonaovcharI,dIscreIeenIIIIesaresearaIedIy
communIcaIIonsIInLs(.z).ThIsIssomeIImescaIIedanoIjecIorIenIed
InIrasIrucIureIecauseIIdescrIIesasysIemoIoIjecIs(oIvhaIeverLInd)
IhaImayconnecIorcommunIcaIe.IIresuIIsInareuIar,dIscreIesIrucIure
sImIIar Io crysIaIsIn vhIch ceIIs IuncIIon IILe IIacL Ioxes and InIeracI
dIarammaIIcaIIyraIherIhanhIerarchIcaIIy.
Second, II Is necessary Io consIder Ihe messaes IhemseIves
IhaIroaaIeIhrouhcyIerneIIcsysIems,noIsImIyIheaenIsIhaIsend
Ihem.CyIerneIIcsysIemsareundersIoodInIermsoIIhesendIn,receIv
In, and rocessIn oI InIormaIIon. And such InIormaIIon Is Iy denI
IIonhIhIyencodedsoIhaIIImayroaaIeandInIerIacevIIhaenIsIn
Figure 2
IIIusIraIIonIromIhe
HermanH.UoId
sIIneand1ohnvon
Neumannaer
PIannInandCod
InProIIemsIoran
IIecIronIcComuI
InInsIrumenI
(:8),anInuenIIaI
:gIexIIhaIheIed
soIIdIIyconven
IIonsIncomuIaIIon
androrammIn
aroundrIncIIes
oIsysIemaIIcIIy,
dIarammaIIcov,
andencasuIaIIonor
IIacLIoxIn.
redIcIaIIe vays. AI Ihe same IIme, such InIormaIIon Is oIIen uncouIed
IromahumanoIserver,IvenIhaIInIormaIIonmayIeaIhered,rocessed,
andresenIIyInsIrumenIsreardIessoIhumanInIervenIIon.Thus,jusIIILe
IheaenIsvIIhInIhesysIem,InIormaIIonaIsoaInsareIaIIveauIonomy
vhen deIoyed vIIhIn a cyIerneIIc envIronmenI Iecause II may dIrecIIy
eecIcerIaInouIcomesvIIhouIIheInIervenIIonoIahumanacIor.
Thevordsmduand)InIarenoIsynonyms,oIcourse,
desIIeIheInsInuaIIonsIhusIar.AndoneshouIdacLnovIedeIheImorIanI
IechnIcaIandsocIohIsIorIcaIdIsIIncIIonsIhaIsearaIeIheIvoIerms.YeI
IIIscIearIhaI,consIderedInIhemosIeneraIsense,cyIerneIIcsIreaIsIhe
vorIdasIIIIvereasysIemoImedIaIIon.WheremeIahysIcsdeaIsvIIhIhe
IIIaIeraIexressIonsoIessenceandInsIance,cyIerneIIcsassumesaIase
IInemuIIIIaIeraIIsmacrossIroadsvaIhsoIdIerenIInsIancesInIeracIIn
andInuencInoneanoIher.WherehenomenoIoyaddressesIIseIIIoIhe
reIaIIonshI IeIveen suIjecI and vorId, cyIerneIIcs concerns IIseII vIIh
sysIems oI muIIIIe aenIs communIcaIIn and InuencIn one anoIher.
Thus,IhecyIerneIIchyoIhesIsIeInsIromIheeIemenIaIassumIIonIhaI
everyIhInIsasysIemoImedIaIIon.
BuIvheredIdIhecyIerneIIchyoIhesIscomeIromWhaIareIhe
hIsIorIcaIcondIIIonsoIossIIIIIIyIhaIaverIseIoIIWIIhouIduIIcaIIn
IheImorIanIvorLoIhIsIorIansandcrIIIcsIILeKaIherIneHayIesorIIIy
Kay,IvIshIorevIsIIacouIeoImomenIsIromIhehIsIoryoIcomuIaIIon
and cyIerneIIcs In order Io shed more IIhI on Ihe resenI conjuncIure.
ByreIurnInIoIhevorLoIIevIsBIchardson,WarrenWeaver,1ohnvon
Neumann,andPauIOIIeI,IhoeIoshovIheemerenceoIanevconce
IIon oI socIeIy and cuIIure, one IhaI revoIves around Ihree IasIc Irends:
:) anuIumIconceIIonoIIhevorIdasanarrayoIdIscreIeenIIIIes;z) an
uuunuII conceIIon oI a ervasIve medIa aaraIus Io InIercon
necI Ihese many enIIIIes; and ) a u)uII conceIIon oI a sovereIn or
reuIaIoryIuncIIonnecessaryIomanaeandadmInIsIraIeIhesysIemas
avhoIe.
Crystalline Space
In:gzz,IhrouhvhaIheIaIeIedasIrIcIIynumerIcaIrocess,
Ihe InIIsh maIhemaIIcIan IevIs BIchardson roosed a massIve chess
ame Io san Ihe conIInenIs, a sysIem Io redIcI veaIher vIa a ceIIuIar
sace oI dIsIrIIuIed meIeoroIoIcaI sensors (. ). He used Ihe Ierm IuI
I Io descrIIe IhIs nev devIce, IorrovIn a vord Irom crysIaIIorahy.
Then,maLInadramaIIcconceIuaIIeaIhaIvouIdIaIerInuence1ohn
vonNeumannandIhescIenceoIceIIuIarauIomaIa,BIchardsonroosed
IhaIIhesemanysravIInInIerconIInenIaIceIIscoordInaIeIoIormasInIe
comuIaIIonaIsysIem.
[!] IuI u p u{ pup uId n Iu, quu, II u
Iuud,undIIIpnIumup.TIn{umn,Iquu
uIuInumdunundpuuIIIu{Iun,IudununuuuI
In,nmuppu]Iun.ûI,uIu)duunIununIunIuI
uII numI uIIn nd u quu IuI Iu I IuIIud und
Iun,Iudu{InI.[. . .]1InIuIpuundmumnIum
uIInuI n u puIIn, u u IuI, { u Iuud ud
Inud,IpuuuuIduIIuppuunIdquu,und
ImumnIuuIIunIuIun,uuuu.(!udun;)
ThecomuIaIIonaIIramevorLexIendsverIIcaIIyIoo,rIsInIhrouhIour
dIsIIncIaImosherIcIayers.
HIs Ianuae Is IhaI oI comIex and nonIInear sysIems, Ior
roved, In arIIcuIar, Irom IhermodynamIcs. II Is Ihe Ianuae oI eddy
movemenIs, IamInar sIresses, aIr vIscosIIy, IurIuIence, heaI ovs, and
conducIIvIIy.IsInIhesamedIscourseIhaIvouIdIaIerInuenceIheorIsIs
IILeUIIIesDeIeuzeandIeIIxUuaIIarI,BIchardsonIncIudesavhoIesecIIon
on heIeroeneIIy and seaLs In Ierms oI Ihe moIecuIar and moIar
IeveIs.HedIscussesIhecomIexIIyoIInIeracIIonsIeIveenIayersandIhe
IurIuIenceIhaIresuIIs.Then,vIIhavInL,BIchardsonaddsaIIIIIerhyme
IoheIrememIerIIaII:WereaIIzeIhusIhaI:IIvhIrIshaveIIIIIevhIrIs
IhaIIeedonIheIrveIocIIy,andIIIIIevhIrIshaveIesservhIrIsandsoonIo
vIscosIIy(bb).
Figure 3
AnarranemenI
oImeIeoroIoIcaI
sIaIIonsdesIned
IoIvIIhIhechIeI
mechanIcaIro
erIIesoIIheaImo
shere.OIherconsId
eraIIonshaveIeen
heredIsrearded.
PressureIoIe
oIservedaIIhecen
IreoIeachshaded
chequer,veIocIIyaI
IhecenIreoIeach
vhIIechequer.
Source:BIchardson
IronIIsIece.
SImIyoverIayInarIdonamaIsnoIIheaIIracIIonoIBIch
ardsonssysIemIorIheresenIInvesIIaIIon.IorInBIchardsonscaseIhe
rIdIsnoIrImarIIyasaIIaIIechnoIoy.InIacIvhIIeIherIdexIsIsInan
enIIreIyaIsIracIeomeIrIcsaceoIIIvIousIonaIIonaIIordersoreorahIc
IeaIures,asdoesIhesysIemoIIaIIIudeandIonIIude,IIIs,moreImorIanIIy,
aIuIIuuIu{puuIIIuIuIuIun.IachsquareIsreresenIedIyanumIer
IhaIIeedsInIoanoveraIIaIorIIhmIormodeIInaImosherIchenomena.
As Ihe cyIerneIIcIsIs vouId IaIer dIscover, Ihe esIaIIIshmenI
oI IhIs LInd oI IaIIIce or crysIaIIIne sace requIres Ihe encasuIaIIon and
oIIuscaIIonoIeachIndIvIduaIcrysIaIIIneceII,aIechnIqueIhaIscIenIIsIs
caIIIIacLIoxIn.ThehenomenonIsquIIeevIdenIInBIchardsoneven
IhouhhevasresearchInandvrIIInseveraIyearsrIorIoIheInvenIIon
oI cyIerneIIcs roer. WIIh each square reresenIed Iy a sInIe numIer
IocaIedonIhemaaIIhecoordInaIesoIIIscenIer,IhesquareIseecIIveIy
IIacLIoxed.NosuIsquareInIormaIIonIsnecessaryInBIchardsonssysIem.
OnceIheIoverIoundsoIIherIdsranuIarIIyaredeIermIned,eachceII
essenIIaIIy Iecomes an aIom: uncuIIaIIe, ImeneIraIIe, and InvIsIIIe. IIs
IuncIIonaIIIyIsureIyanouIvardreIaIIonIoIheIaIIIceasavhoIe,never
InvardIovardanyLIndoImIcrocosmorInIerIorIIy.InIodaysarIance,Ihe
ceIIhasasurIaceorInIerIaceIhaImayIeread,yeIanysorIoIdeeer
InvesIIaIIonIeyondIheInIerIaceIsunnecessary.
BIchardsonroosedIoIesIhIssysIemIyvayoIenandaer
caIcuIaIIons.IeIusnovIIIusIraIeandIesIIheroosaIsoIIheIoreoIn
chaIersIyaIyInIhemIoadenIIecasesuIIedIyNaIureandmea
suredInoneoIIhemosIcomIeIeseIsoIoIservaIIonsonrecord(:8:).HIs
oaIvasIoreroduceIhesameIramevorLIhaIvasemIrIcaIIymeasuraIIe,
orInhIsvords,IoenacIaIaIIIcereroducInrocess.TheInIIIaIdaIa
arearranedInaaIIernvhIch,IyIorrovInaIermIromcrysIaIIorahy,
vemaycaIIasaceIaIIIce.WhereverInIheIaIIIcearessurevasIven,
IhereIhenumerIcaIrocessmusIyIeIdaressure.AndsoIoraIIIheoIher
meIeoroIoIcaI eIemenIs. Such a numerIcaI rocess vIII Ie reIerred Io as
a IaIIIcereroducIn rocess (:b). In IhIs vay, BIchardsons rocess
IsaLIndoIvrIIInsysIemInvhIchmuIIIIeceIIsarevrIIIenInaraIIeI
IasedonaseIoIcomIexnonIInearcomuIaIIons.Inessence,hIsoaIvas
Io InscrIIe, In araIIeI, a maIrIx IramevorL IhaI corresonds Io acIuaIIy
oIservedmeasuremenIs.
BuIBIchardsonvasaIsoavareIhaIhIsIaIIIcevouIdnecessar
IIyIeInIernaIIycomIex,IhaIIIvouIdrequIreIrInInIoeIherheIero
eneouseIemenIs.HereIerredIoIhIsasvarIaIIonsInIhedensIIyoIIhe
IaIIIce(.).1usIasanoenoceanoraremoIevIIdernessvouIdIILeIy
haveIevermeIeoroIoIcaIsensors,IherIdInIhaIzonevouIdhaveIoIe
sacedvIderaarI,vhereasaheavIIyouIaIedarIoIIheIandmassvouId
have a surIus oI sensors and IhereIore a IIhIIy InIervoven IramevorL.
UrId sysIems oI course do noI Ireed consIsIency and equaIIIy, as Is oIIen
Figure 4
MashovIn
veaIherressure
(P)andmomenIum
(M)sannInIhe
InIerIaceIeIveen
asarseIyInhaI
IIedsecIormarLed
vIIdernessand
adenseIyInhaI
IIedsecIormarLed
cuIIIvaIed.
Source:BIchardson
:
erroneousIyIhouhI.UrIdsysIemsareIechnoIoIesoIsIrucIuredInequaIIIy.
So,reecIInIhesocaIIedasymmeIryrIncIIeoIneIvorLsIherIncIIe
IhaIneIvorLsareaIvaysInIernaIIyasymmeIrIcaIBIchardsondeveIoed
aIechnIqueIordeaIInvIIhunequaIdensIIyresoIuIIonsIhaIIynecessIIy
musI Ie InIerIaced or InIeraIed InIo Ihe same overaII ma. He caIIed
IheseIhreshoIdsjoInIs.SuchjoInIsmusIIeesIaIIIshedIeIveenIheIov
resoIuIIonzonesoIIhevIIdernessorIheoenoceanandIhehIhresoIu
IIon zones oI Ihe cuIIIvaIed areas and Ihe Iand masses (as oosed Io Ihe
sea). ThIs Is noI dIssImIIar Io Ihe vay In vhIch a dIIIaI communIcaIIon
neIvorLvIIIInIerIacehIhvoIumeIacLIonechanneIsvIIhIovvoIume
caIIIarychanneIs.
On puI u{ I uun, nu I puI, und uIn I dI
IuIu{IundIunupupIIupuuduIuuIunuIu
uppuI{uuI.[. . .][T]uuIpuIunu{I,IuI,
puII)Iu,uumuu,uIu{{uuIm,IIpu
IIundduII{IuuIdIuduuIuIumuupn
nIuuIIunIuInuupupuIuIundn.BuIIIuu
nIuuImuIIunIdunIumpuIn,{umnuuuu)
IuIu,pnIdI)numI,unuuuuI]unI.(:;))
ThecyIerneIIchyoIhesIsIsIhusaIreadyevIdenIInBIchardsonsvorLIn
Ihe:gzos:IheaIomIsIIcarranemenIoIasysIemoIceIIs;IheInIerconnec
IIonoIsuchceIIsInIocoordInaIedacIIon(IeIIcomuIaIIonaIoroIhervIse);
andIheroIusImanaemenIoIdIerInandheIeroeneousdensIIIesacross
IhesysIemasavhoIe.
A Regular Discrete Framework
InearIy:go,WarrenWeaverand1ohnvonNeumannexchaned
IeIIersdIscussInahyoIheIIcaIInvenIIonIhaIvouIduseImhoIorahy
IooranIzeanarchIveoImaIhemaIIcaIarIIcIes.TheoaIoIIhedevIcevas
IhecodInoImaIhemaIIcaIIIIeraIureandIheaIIcaIIonoIahoIorahIc
hIhseedseIecIIonrocessIohunIouIaIIoIIhemaIhemaIIcaIIIIeraIure
IearInonacerIaInIoIc(zgMar.:go).ArunoIIhemIIIdIIIaIhumanI
IIes rojecI Iy Iodays sIandards, Weavers roosaI vas unusuaI Ior Ihe
IIme.HereIsIhedevIceasenvIsIonedIyWeaver:
uppu IuI umun u puIu,upd, un u) Iun, Ip
u{muuIm,aIsIracIsu{uIIImuImuIuIuIIu
uuuppudn,u),:,cc.1uuIIuIm,Iquun
upuuu{{umu{IIm;undnImu,nu{IImI
uuuIdIudduumpIuud)mIuIu,uudn,Iu
um uII )Im, uuI. I nuIu u{ I uII. .
umuImuIunm,IInIIdnIuuIn,uIII
uII u IuI (u ndII) Iu un) um Iun Iup.
H uppuI Iu I IIu) u uI u,un.uIun u u I
uIuumnIundImud.TImpIudnumun,
IupuIuud]uIImunuIuIIuIIIIunI)Iu
uIIuIu(muIn,uu{Iud)mIuI)IuIu{uIu
unIIupnquIun.TImunIuu,ImunuI
uImupdI)(:,ccc{umuuIIuIuund,u))undI
munuuIumuIuII)puIu,upIdduIIuIund
puIuII).TununndII)I{Imund
uduuIuIIuI,uIupuI,uumnd{uIpuIInIIIu
IpuIuIumuImuIunundpuIIm,undIunuII)
u{nIIupuIu,updunddIudIuIpunmuIn,
Figure 5
AhyoIheIIcaIre
creaIIonoIvhaI
WarrenWeavers
IIIIIorahIcaId
InmaIhemaIIcaI
researchmIhI
haveIooLedIILe.
CredII:AIexanderB.
UaIIovay
Inqu).!IIumpIIIIu{uIIuInpuun,
IpumdIuIuuuIdIuuIImup,{IuuIdnu
u uIuII) uInu IIu), u uuuId muI {uI u u{ Im
puduI)ndn,IuumnIuIIuuu{upuIu,up
upu{IuII.():Jun.:,c)
Weavers roosaI, vhIch he maIIed sImuIIaneousIy Io a numIer oI coI
IeauesInaddIIIonIovonNeumann,redaIesIyveyearsasImIIardevIce
roosedIy\annevarBushInaIamousarIIcIeIrom:g.TheImIIcaIIons
oI Weavers roosaI are quIIe sIunnIn. BoIh Weaver and von Neumann
vereInuencedIyvhaIvemIhIcaIIIheTurInaradImIorInIorma
IIonmachInes,vhIchIsIosayIhenoIIonIhaIIheIesIvayIorocessdaIa
IsIyvayoIaIonsIrIoIIaeIedIhrouhacenIraImachIne.WhaIIsan
auIomaIonInIhePosITurInsenseIIIsoneoIIheroverIIaIIIacLIoxes
vhIchhasanIIenumIeroIsIaIesvhIchvemaynumIer:,z,. . .,n.|. . .]
Thechane|InsIaIe]IaLesIaceIyanInIeracIIonvIIhIhevorIdouIsIde
IheauIomaIonvhIchIsconsIderedasIeInaIae(UoIdsIInez).Here
IheIaecomesInIheIormoImovIeIm(.).BuIvhIIeIhesIrIsoI
ImvereIInearInnaIure,IheuseroIsuchadevIcevouIdIeaIIeIoIoIIov
IhreadsIhrouhIhearchIveInanonIInearIashIon:Iheresearcherroceeds
IoIoIIovIhIsIhreadvhereverIIIeadshIm,vroIeWeaverInaIoIIovu
noIeIovonNeumann.|T]hIsIhreadIrequenIIycuIsacrossaIIreexIsIIn
IInesoIsuIjecIcIassIcaIIon(zgMar.:go).
Such mIcroche daIaIases had Ieen roosed IeIore, erhas
mosIvIvIdIyIyPauIOIIeIaroundIheIurnoIIheIvenIIeIhcenIury.OIIeI,
a BeIIan Iavyer and Ihe InvenIor oI Ihe unIversaI decImaI cIassIcaIIon
sysIem(vhIchhehoedvouIdaIIevIaIesomeoIIheshorIcomInsoIDeveys
sysIem), vas an InnovaIor In Ihe area oI IIIrary and archIvaI scIence. A
uIoIan and IoIaI IhInLer, OIIeI oranIzed Ihe InIernaIIonaI InsIIIuIe oI
BIIIIorahy In :8g, vhIch aImed Io synIhesIze aII Ihe dIerenI sysIems
IhaIexIsIedIorcIassIIyInIherInIedvord.By:gooIhereveresome:
mIIIIoncardsoranIzedaIonIheIInesoIMeIvIIDeveyssysIem|. . .].By
:go8OIIeIhadoaIedIhenoIIonoIa|]InIernaIIonaIcenIraIIIIrary,vIIh
suorIoIsomezoooranIzaIIons.By:g:ohehadheIdIhersImeeIInoI
IheWorIdConressonBIIIIorahy(KaIzz).
Around IhaI same erIod, cIrca :gob, OIIeI deveIoed, vIIh
BoIerI UoIdschmIdI, a rojecIed IooL caIIed Ihe IIIupuI, a coInae
comIInInIheIermsIIIu(IooL)andpuIu,up)(IevIe:o).AsInIhe
suIsequenIroosaIsIyWeaverandBush,OIIeIsIIIIIohoIevasasysIem
Ior hoIorahIn IooLs and Ihen reroducIn Ihem vIa rojecIIon. The
IechnIque oI mIcrohoIorahy vas aIready Lnovn aI Ihe IIme and had,
InIacI,IeenuseddurInIhesIeeoIParIsIn:8o,vhenIhousandsoIIeI
IersverereroducedInmInIaIureonImandsenIvIacarrIerIeon,as
deIcIed In a Iamous aInIIn hanIn In Ihe Musee CarnavaIeI In ParIs.
OIIeIs InnovaIIon vas sImIy Ihe scaIe oI hIs amIIIIon, as he souhI Io
unIIyIheIoIaIIIyoIaIIhumanLnovIede,hoIorahedandIedandeasy
Io access. WIIh Ihe IIIIIohoIe as IuIIdIn IIocL and In a cuImInaIIon oI
hIs IIIes vorL, havIn enIIsIed Ie CorIusIer as chIeI archIIecI and NoIeI
PeacePrIzeIaureaIeHenrIIaIonIaIneascoIIaIoraIor,OIIeIIaunchedan
amIIIIousInIIIaIIveIn:g:ocaIIedIheAundunum,vhIchaIIhouhnever
reaIIzedvasdesInedasahomeIoraIIIhevorIdsLnovIede,cIassIedand
archIvedInsIdeamassIveIIIraryIacIIIIyIoIeIocaIedonIheshoresoIIaLe
Ueneva(.b).HumanIIyhasarrIvedIodayaIIhesIaeoIIoIaIIzaIIon,
heronounced(OIIeIandIeCorIusIerz).
WeaversovndIIIaIhumanIIIesrojecIvasoIcoursemuch
moremodesIInscaIeyeI,aIIhesameIIme,moreImmedIaIeIyreaIIzaIIe.
ConIrary Io Ihe convenIIons oI cInemaIIc Im roducIIon, vhIch aIms Io
IusesuccessIveIramesIoeIherInIInearsequenceIoachIeveIheIIIusIon
oI movemenI, Weavers roosaI Ieveraed Ihe InherenIIy dIIIaI naIure
oIImsdIscreIeIramevorLoIsuccessIveIramesIoassemIIeamInIaIure
archIveIhaIcouIdIerocessedraIdIyIycomuIer(see.).Therevas
IoIenomedIaIIcconIInuIIyIeIveeneachceIIInWeaversIm;conIInuIIy
vasIoIeachIevedInoIhervays,vIaIherecomIInaIIonoIceIIuIarunIIsInIo
Figure 6
AhIerarchyoIsys
IemsoILnovIede
IaIeIed(IromIo
IoIoIIom)IhIns,
InIeIIIenIIeIns,
scIenIIcLnovI
ede,IooLs,IIIIIo
rahIccaIaIos,Ihe
encycIoedIa,and
cIassIcaIIon.
Source:OIIeIeIaI.
::
codIedsequencesandaIIerns.IIvas,shaIIvesay,aLIndoIsIrucIuraI
ImuuunIIuIII.BecaIIIheLeyIeaIuresoIWeaversdevIce:
a daIaIase IuIII Irom a ceIIuIar array consIsIIn oI one Irame
erIexI;
a Irame raIe IhaI vas an order oI manIIude more raId Ihan
sIandardIzedcInemaIIcrojecIIon;
symIoIIccodesIoraddressInandcIassIIyIneachenIryInIhe
ceIIuIararray;
hoIorahyIorsIorae,andrehoIorahyIorreIrIevaI;
assocIaIIveIrovsInoIsuIjecIIhemes.
WeaverscomIexcodesymIoIsareaIsonoIaIIe.UuIdInIoIh
IheaddressInandcIassIcaIIonoIeachdaIaIaseenIry,WeaverrovIdeda
LIndoImeIaIayeroIoInIersInIoIhIsmemoryhea.OnecanassumeIhaI
IhesysIemvouIdhavevorLedmuchIILeHermanHoIIerIIhsIaIuIaIorand
sorIer,vIIhIInaryhoIesdesInaIIndIerenIcIassIcaIIonheadIns.AII
hoIorahIcceIIsmarLedvIIhanarorIaIedoIInIhenonIIneardIer
enIIaIequaIIonsIoxvouIdIerehoIorahedandreIurnedInresonseIo
aqueryoIIhaInaIure,andsoon,jusIasHoIIerIIhsunchcardsconIaIned
IoxesIorIhedIerenIcensuscaIeorIes.SoIheIoIcoIcIassIcaIIonIsaIso
aIoIcoIseIecIIon.PuIIInaIIIhIsIoeIher,WeaverenvIsIonedadevIceIhaI
vouIdmaLeIImoreecIenIIoIocaIemaIerIaIInIhearchIve,IhaIvouId
assIsIIheresearcherInhIsorherInIerences,IhaIvouIdoenuInducIIve
and assocIaIIve aIhvays Ihrouh InIormaIIon, and IhaI vouId In IacI Ie
dIsruIIveoIexIsIIncIassIcaIIonsysIems,IacInIheIndIvIduaIInIeIIecI
aIIhehearIoIIheInIormaIIcsysIem.
Weaver IreIIed over a Iev IhIns. CouId II Ie IuIII WouId hIs
eersvanIIouseIIAnd,uIIImaIeIymoreImorIanI,hovcouIdacodIn
schemeIeexIIIeenouhIodescrIIeaIIIhenuancesoIeacharIIcIeaccu
raIeIyHovcouIdsIoredarIIcIesIemadeIorvardcomaIIIIeIIIhecodIn
schemaeverneededIoIeudaIedThesoIuIIonvasIoundInIhecodIn
schemeIIseII:headvIsedvonNeumannIouseaIIeasI:zsymIoIs,Iecause
IhaI amounI oI comIInaIory IaIIIude vouId cerIaInIy aord a comIeIe
IuncIIonaIcharacIerIzaIIonoIIheIexIInquesIIon(:1an.:go).
AIIhouhWeaversIIIIIorahIcaIdvasneverIuIII,IIsIands
asauseIuIsInosIIorIhenevmedIasysIemsIeInInvenIeddurInand
aIIerWorIdWar II.IIareaIesavhoIeserIesoIIechnIquesandaroaches
IhaI vouId rIse In ImorIance In Ihe second haII oI Ihe IvenIIeIh cen
Iury.SummarIzInIromIhIsIrIeIdIscussIonoIBIchardson,Weaver,von
Neumann,andOIIeI,IheseIechnIquesandaroachesIncIude:
aneIsIemoIoyrooIedInarraysorsysIemsconIaInIndIscreIe
enIIIIes;
IhedIvIsIonoIeachenIIIyInIosysIemandsuIsysIem,InvhIch
IhesuIsysIemIsencasuIaIedandoIIuscaIed(orIIacLIoxed);
IheoenInoIsecIccodIedInIerIacesIoreachenIIIy;
Ihe suerImosIIIon oI a medIaIIve Iayer Io InIerconnecI each
enIIIyInIhesysIem(vIaIheenIIIysInIerIace);
IhereuIarIzaIIonoIdIerenceorasymmeIryvIIhInIheaara
IusIIseII,IeIIsemIoIIcasymmeIry(Index/conIenI)orIuncIIonaI
symmeIry(command/execuIIon).
These are some oI Ihe characIerIsIIcs oI Ihe cyIerneIIc hyoIhesIs. The
hIsIorIcaIexamIesjusIoeredarecerIaInIynoIIheonIysIorIesIhaIcouId
Ie IoId. They shouId noI suIanI exIsIIn hIsIorIes and eneaIoIes oI
cyIerneIIcsocIeIyorrecIudeneverdIscoverIesIromIeInmade.Ioer
IhemasshorIhIsIorIcaIsnashoIsoIIheeneraIreImeoIIhecyIerneIIc
hyoIhesIs,asavayIoIhIovIdenIhehIsIorIcaIvIndovIeyondIhecon
venIIonaIIocusoI:g8andIoInIroduceaseIoIreIerencesIhaIexIIcIIIy
IIes Ihe cyIerneIIc hyoIhesIs Io conIemorary IIIerary and humanIIIes
research. In oIher vords, I vIev Ihe cyIerneIIc hyoIhesIs noI as a more
orIessneuIraIdeveIomenImereIyIImIIedIoaIevsmaIIscIenIIceIds,
IuIasaIroadsocIaIandcuIIuraIeIhosvIIhInuenceacrossanumIeroI
eIdsandracIIces.IromIhIsersecIIve,recenIdeveIomenIsIndIIIaI
humanIIIesaearnoIsomuchasradIcaIorIoIdnevInnovaIIons,IuIasa
naIuraIevoIuIIonsIemmInIromseveraIdecadesoIhIsIorIcaImomenIum,
anaIerIodaIIheendoIaveryIonsenIence.
Problems and Proposals
ThedeIaIeoverdIIIaIhumanIIIesIsIhusroerIyIramedasa
deIaIenoIsImIyoverIhIsorIhaIresearchmeIhodoIoyIuIoveraeneraI
reIme oI LnovIede oIn IacL severaI decades aI IeasI. UIven vhaI ve
haveesIaIIIshedIhusIarIhaIdIIIaImeIhodsareaIIesIaIenInarIoI
IhezeIIeIsIandaIvorsIaromuIaIIonoIIaIeIvenIIeIhcenIurycomu
IaIIonaIIsmIeI me end Iy IIemIzIn a serIes oI roIIems and chaIIenes
IhaIanyonearIaLInIndIIIaImeIhodsmusIconsIder.
H,mun),!upIuIuIun,und)mmI)
UIvenIheheemonIcsIaIusoIcomuIersInconIemoraryIIIea
osIIIonendorsedIyeveryoneIromKevInKeIIyandThomasIrIedmanIo
ManueICasIeIIsandMIchaeIHardIandAnIonIoNerIIoroosecomuIer
cenIrIcresearchmeIhodoIoIesIsIorooseIhaIIhehumanIIIesIoIIova
IrendIovardnormaIIzaIIonvIIhIhedomInanIraIherIhanoIdIerenIIaIIon
IromII.ThIsvIIIresenIaroIIemIocerIaInInIeIIecIuaIendeavorsIhaI
vaIuedevIaIIonovernormaIIzaIIon,heIerodoxyoverorIhodoxy.
Moreover, Ihe roIIem oI heemony Is noI sImIy IImIIed Io a
hIerarchyoIdomInaIIonandsuIordInaIIon.IIaIsoImIIcaIesIheIyesoI
uIIerancesIhaIaremadevIIhInsuchahIerarchy,arIIcuIarIyvheIheror
noIcerIaIncIaImsaIouILnovIedeorreaIIIyarerecaIIuIaIIveorcrIIIcaI
oIIheheemonIcosIIIon.ThenaIureandroIeoIcrIIIcIsmIsaIIhehearIoI
conIemorarydeIaIesoverIhedIIIaIhumanIIIes,asmanyvonderIIcrIII
cIsmIssIIIInecessaryandInIerreIaIIonsIIIIvaIId.IIIsIhusoIIIaIoryIo
IdenIIIyIhechanInIorIunesoIcrIIIqueasasecIcshIIIInIhereIaIIve
vaIueoIrecaIIuIaIIveversusconIesIaIIonaIcIaIms.
UIven Ihe roIIems oI heemony and recaIIuIaIIon, ve musI
aIso asL vheIher Ihe roIe oI humanIIIes research Is Io Ie a symmeIrIcaI
mIrroroIIrendsInIarersocIeIyoranasymmeIrIcaIreIhInLInoIIhose
IarerIrends.WhenIhesocIaIandeconomIcInIrasIrucIureIssIrucIured
Insuchandsuchavay,IsIIIheroIeoIhumanIIIesresearchersIoredesIn
IheIrdIscIIInesoIhaIIIIssymmeIrIcaIvIIhIhaIInIrasIrucIureUooIe
vIevssocIeIyasaneIvorLoIvaIueroducInaenIs(vhoseunaIdIaIor
eneraIesImmenseroIs);IsII,Ihen,IheroIeoIunIversIIyInIIshdearI
menIsaIsoIorooseIhaIsocIeIyIsaneIvorLoIvaIueroducInaenIs
OIjecIorIenIedcomuIerIanuaesrooseIhaIenIIIIescanIeaIsIracIed
InIo oIjecIs vIIh codIed InIerIaces IhaI erIorm cerIaIn measuraIIe
IuncIIons; Is II, Ihen, necessary Ior IIIerary researchers Io vIev noveIs or
oemsasoIjecIsvIIhcodIedInIerIacesIhaIerIormcerIaInmeasuraIIe
IuncIIonsTheIssuehereIsnoIsImIyrecaIIuIaIIon(seaLInIhesame
orseaLIndIerenI),IuIasIrucIureoIsymmeIryversusasymmeIry(Ihe
roaaIIonandexIensIonoIreuIarsIrucIure).
WheIherornoIcrIIIqueremaInsvIaIIe,vemusIsIIIIonderIhe
orIInaIKanIIanquesIIon:IsIhouhIassuchdIcIaIedIyIhereuIarIIyoIan
InherIIedsIrucIure,orIsIhouhIonIyossIIIeIyvIrIueoIanasymmeIrIcaI
and auIoosIIIonaI osIure vIsavIs Ihe oIjecI oI conIemIaIIon HavIn
InherIIedIhecomuIer,areveoIIIaIedIoIhInLvIIhII
1duIu,),1IIIn,,undPuIIuun.uIun
A second cIusIer oI Ierms reveaIs a dIerenI chaIIene Iaced Iy
IhedIIIaIhumanIIIes.CaIIIIIheZuundnIroIIem:veIIvevIIhInIhe
cyIerneIIcunIversevIIhouInecessarIIyIeInconscIousoIIIandveuseIhese
dIIIaIIooIsvIIhouInecessarIIyreecIInonIhem.OIcourse,IhenaIuraI
IzaIIonoIIooIscanIeoodanduseIuIIncerIaInconIexIs,andIIIeraIureand
arIareadmIIIedIyInsearaIIeIromInaIamoreIundamenIaIIeveI.BuI
IhenaIuraIIzaIIonoIIechnoIoyhasreachedunrecedenIedIeveIsvIIhIhe
advenIoIdIIIaImachInes.NaIureIILesIohIdeIIseII,andIIsnodIerenIvIIh
comuIers.OnemusIIedIsassIonaIeaIouIIhIsInIrasIrucIureoIoIIuscaIIon,
IdenIIIyInvhenandhovIIIsIenecIaIandvhenandhovIIIsnoI.
Iver sInce KanI and Marx InauuraIed Ihe modern reIme oI
crIIIcaIIhouhI,asInIenoIIonhasunIIedIhevarIousdIscussIonsaround
crIIIcaIIIy:crIIIqueIsIoeIoIdeoIoy(or,InKanIscase,noIsomuchIdeoIoy
asdoma).HenceanevchaIIeneIoIhedIIIaIhumanIIIes:IIIhereIsIndeed
anIncreaseInnaIuraIIzaIIonandacorresondIndecreaseIncrIIIcaIIIy,
doesIhIsenIaIIaconcomIIanIrIseInIheoveroIIdeoIoyDIIIaImeIhods
IendIonaIuraIIzeIherocessoIdaIadIscovery.DoIheyaIsoaIIhesame
IImeemIoIdenanIdeoIoIcaIInIrasIrucIure
YeI,IeyondIhesemoreheadyInquIrIesInIoIhereIaIIvevaIIdIIy
oILnovIede,amorerosaIcchaIIeneaIsoaears:IhedesLIIIInroIIem,
orvhaIBesIandMarcuscaIIIhemInImIzaIIonoIaency(:).ThedIIIaI
humanIIIesassumecerIaInIhInsaIouIhumansuIjecIs.WhIIeseemInIo
emIedschoIarsandsIudenIsmorermIyIndaIa,dIIIaIIooIsIendIodoIhe
oosIIe.HIhIycodIedInIerIacesreduceIhesecIrumoIossIIIeInuI
Io a Iev Leyvords or aIorIIhmIc arameIers. Those vho vere IormerIy
schoIars or exerIs In a cerIaIn area are nov recasI as mere IooI users
IehoIdenIoIheaordancesoIIheIooIvhIIesIudenIssendevermoreIIme
masIerInmenusandIuIIons,IecomInIIIeraIeInadIIIaIdevIceraIher
IhanaIIIerarycorus.
ThusvhIIeBesIandMarcusraIseIhemInImIzaIIonoIaency
a secIacuIar reversaI Irom Ihe :g8os and :ggos vhen aency vas aII Ihe
raeInIheoreIIcaIcIrcIesvemIhIIevIseIoacLnovIedeIhedarLsIde
oIadIssIaIedhumanaency.IovaencyschoIarsaredesLIIIedschoIars,
roIeIarIanIzed IhInLers denuded oI IheIr auIhorIIy Io maLe cIaIms (aI
IeasIcIaImsIhaIhavenIIeencuIIeddIrecIIyIromameasuremenIdevIce).
IovaencyschoIarsareadjuncIvorLersvIIhrecarIouseconomIcroIes
IoIayInIheunIversIIy,IheIrsIandIndImInIshedreIaIIveIoIheIncreased
over oI academIc admInIsIraIors, resIdenIs, chanceIIors, and IrusIees.
CrIIIqueIsIoeIoIdeoIoy,IuI,arIIcuIarIyInMarxscase,crIIIqueIsaIso
anecessaryIechnIqueIorreveaIInIhecondIIIonsoIroIeIarIanIzaIIon.As
IheMarxIsIIradIIIonhasersuasIveIydemonsIraIed,caIIaIIIseIIIhrIves
mosIvhenIheroIeIarIaIIdenIIesosIIIveIyvIIhIheverysIrucIureoIIIs
ovndeIasemenI.ThusIheIooIsandIrInLeIsvendsoseducIIve,dIIIaI
oroIhervIse,areIhesamedevIcesIhaIIramenIandreoranIzesocIaIIIIe
aroundsecIceconomIcmandaIes.
WhaIIhoeIosuesIvIIhIhesechaIIenesandrovocaIIonsIs
noIsomuchadoomandIoomvIevoIdIIIaIhumanIIIes,IuIraIherasoIer
assessmenIoIIheroIIemsIacedIyIheacademyandavIev,rovIsIonaI
aIIesI,oIIheLIndsoIsoIuIIonsIhaImIhIIeossIIIe.SchoIarsmusImaLe
IheIrovnassessmenIsoIIhechaIIenesosedIydIIIaIhumanIIIes.Hov
doesIheadvenIoIIhecomuIerchanehumanIsIIcresearchHovvIIIIIIe
ossIIIeIousecomuIersvhIIeavoIdInIhedIcuIIIesjusIIIemIzed,Ihe
eIsIemoIoIcaIchaIIenesaroundheemony,recaIIuIaIIon,andsymmeIry
andIhemoreoIIIIcaIchaIIenesoIIdeoIoy,desLIIIIn,androIeIarIan
IzaIIon SeaLIn as a rorammer vho has Ieen vrIIIn and reIeasIn
soIIvareIorseveraIyearsIoIhvIIhInandvIIhouIIheresearchconIexI,I
hoeIoaIIymyseIIvIIhIhoseInnovaIInIechnIcaIresearchmeIhods,as
Ihey exIsI nov and as Ihey mIhI exIsI In Ihe IuIure. PersonaIIy, my ovn
eorIs have IoIIoved a muIIImodaI sIraIey oI roducIn academIc vrII
In concurrenI vIIh soIIvare roducIIon, Ihe oaI oI vhIch IeIn noI Io
quaranIInecrIIIcaIIIy,IuIraIherIoun{)crIIIcaIIheoryanddIIIaImedIa
aroundIheIechnIqueoIaIIeory.OIhersvIIIndanaroachIhaIIsmosI
arorIaIeIoIhem.
ThIsIsnoIIoadvocaIeIorsomeLIndoIroIedIIIIzaIIonoIIhe
humanIIIes,noIIosayIhaIeverychIIdmusIIeIvenaIaIo.IevIhIns
vIIIcrIIeIhehumanIIIesmoreIhanIheuncrIIIcaIadoIIonoIIooIsor
Ihe conIInued encroachmenI oI osIIIvIsIIc research meIhods Iorroved
IromconIIIvescIence,neuroscIence,comuIerscIence,oreIsevhere.One
shouIdIeverysLeIIcaIoIIheUooIIzaIIonoIIheacademy.
BaIher,vemIhIIoIIovIheIeadoIsomeoneIILeBIchardBo
ers,vIIhhIsDIIIaIMeIhodsresearchInIIIaIIve,orIheIoneerInresearch
IechnIquesInvenIedIyarIIsIsIILeNaIaIIe1eremIjenLoorTrevorPaIen.
TheseandoIheraroachesexhIIIIIheLIndoIcreaIIvIIyandcareneces
saryIorundersIandInandresondInIoIherovInIndusIrIaIIzaIIonoI
mIndandIody.
AshumanIsIschoIarsInIheIIIeraIarIs,areveouIunnedand
ouIcIassedIycaIIaIIndeedvearenovmoreIhanever.YeIashumanIsIs
vehaveaccessIosomeIhInmoreImorIanI.WehaveaccessIovhaIIran
oIsIarueIIecaIIsIheveaLIorceoIersonsInIheIrenerIchumanIIy.
TheoaI,Ihen,IsnoIIochaIIeneIhedaIamInersaIIheIrovname,Ior
vevIIIaIvaysIeunderIundedandundersIaed.TheoInIIsIovIIhdrav
Irom Ihe ame aIIoeIher and conIInue Io ursue Ihe very quesIIons IhaI
IechnoscIencehasaIvaysIunIed,IehoIdenasIIIsIosecIcIdeoIoIcaI
and IndusIrIaI mandaIes. The veaL Iorce ranIs us access Io Ihe enerIc
commonaIIIyoIhIsIoryandsocIeIyandIhevarIousaesIheIIcandcuIIuraI
henomena IhaI noI onIy ouIaIe IhIs hIsIory IuI, as IIs esh and IIood,
arehIsIoryIIseII.
nLrxnNorv v. cnLLovnY Is AssocIaIe ProIessor oI MedIa, CuIIure, and CommunIcaIIon aI
NevYorLInIversIIy.HIsIooLsIncIudeT1nI{u1I(PoIIIy,zo:z),PuIuuI.HuuCun
IuI1uIu{I1nIuI.uIun(MassachuseIIsInsIIIuIeoITechnoIoyPress,zoo),and
Gumn,.1u)un.I,uImCuIIu(InIversIIyoIMInnesoIaPress,zoob).
: IorIhreesecIacuIaryeIraIher
dIerenIIesIImonIaIsIoIhIseecI
seeBoIIansLIandChIaeIIo;
Iraser;IIu,1uu.
z AnumIeroIaccounIshaveheIed
IIouIIhIshIsIory,IncIudIn
Ueohean;Turner.
IorsomeoIIheIasIcconIoursoI
IhIsdeIaIe,IIseIIcomIexand
dIverenI,seeBesIandMarcus;
IaIour;Iove.ThevarIousdIscus
sIonsaroundcIosereadIn,dIs
IanIreadIn,surIacereadIn,
anddescrIIIvereadInaIso
cIashandInIermInIevIIhIhe
exIsIInarIhIsIorIcaIdIscourse
oncIosevIevInanddIsIanIvIev
In,orvhaIAIoIsBIeIcaIIedIhe
IacIIIeandoIIcaIquaIIIIesoIarI.
NorIerIWIenersIandmarLIexI,
C)InI.OCunIuIundCum
munuIunnI.nmuIundI
Aun,vasorIInaIIyuIIIshed
In:g8.
BIchardsoneIaIoraIes:
1IduIIIuuuun
ununIunuIdudn,u{uuIu
nuInuIuuIIuundu)IIun
IIuIupundIupup
[. . .].undI),IuIIupnI
Iunu,nu{unIuII
IuIIumu{u)IunundIdu
,nuIIIup,IIupup
muIIduddnIuuIIuIIuu
Iu).TdI),IuIIIuuI
IIumIdIn,ud{um
uIIIuII)IdIuIun
duIuI,uund.TuIuppu
duIIIududIuImup
nIunuIIIunIu).(:6:;)
b BIchardsonevenoessoIaras
IovorLouIIhenumIersIoran
oIImaIInIerIaceIeIveenIhese
IvounequaIneIvorLs.IIIsseen
IhaIIhenIneIoIdreducIIonIves
aneaIerjoInIIhanIheIourIoId,In
IhesenseIhaIIheIaIIerInvoIves
moreInIeroIaIIons(:).By
exerImenIInvIIhanIneIoIdor
IourIoIdreducIIon,BIchardson
vasdIscoverInvhaInumIers
vouIdIIesI,InorderIoavoIda
vIoIenIchaneInIheIaIIIce(:).
NeverIheIess,IIshouIdIenoIed
IhaIhevasnoIadvocaIInan
overaIIreducIIonInIhedIsarIIy
oIceIIuIardensIIyIeIveendII
IerenIIycIassIedzones.ThusIhe
asymmeIryrIncIIeIhaIoverns
neIvorLedreIaIIonsIsdemon
sIraIedevenhereInemIryonIc
Iorm.
OnemIhIaIsocomareWeavers
devIceIoIhesocaIIedZuse
aIImsesI,IheImsIocLused
IyKonradZuseIoencodeIInary
daIaIorhIszcomuIer,com
IeIedIn:g:.AsZuserecounIs,
DurInIhevarIcouIdnIeI
ordInarycommercIaIunched
IaemachInes,vhIchvereIhen
aIreadyInuseInIheIeIehone
IusInessIorIracLunchedIae.
IIuIIImyovnunchInandread
IndevIcesandusednormaIIm
sIrIs|HeImuI]SchreyersIdea.
TheyvereunchedvIIhasImIe
manuaILeyunch(b).OIcourse
Notes
ZusesImsIrIshadnodIrecI
reIaIIonshIIohoIorahyor
cInema;IheImaeonIheImsIrI
vasunImorIanI,amereIraceoI
IhemedIumsIormerIIIe.
8 SuchaaradImhasamuch
IonerhIsIory,IyvayoI1oseh
MarIe1acquardsIndusIrIaIveav
InsysIemaIIhedavnoIIhe
nIneIeenIhcenIury,vhIchIea
IuredasIrIoIdIIIaIIyencoded
InuI(IhesoIIvare)IeedInInIo
acenIraIrocessIndevIce(Ihe
hardvare).IILevIse,even1ac
quardsIoomhadImorIanIanIe
cedenIsInoIherIoomsmadeIy
BrseIcIrca:b8o,BasIIeBouchon
In:z,1eanPhIIIeIaIconIn
:,andoIherLIndsoIdevIces
eIIherIuIIIorroosedIy1acques
de\aucansonIn:o,noIIomen
IIonsomeoIIhemusIcaIdevIces
InAIhanasIusKIrchersAuu,u
!nuuI(:bo).
g TheuseoIrehoIorahyIor
reIrIevaImIhIsoundodd,yeIIn
Ihe:gos,IherevereessenIIaIIy
norInIersInexIsIence,aIIeasI
noIasveIhInLoIIhemIoday.A
commonIechnIqueIorrInIIn
onearIycomuIersvasIoIaLe
ahoIorahoIIhecomuIers
oscIIIoscoescreen,assumIn
IIhadascreenaIaII,andIhen
deveIoIhehoIorah.SoWeav
erssuesIIonIhaIIhesearch
resuIIsvouIdIerehoIorahed
IsInLeeInvIIhIhemedIa
convenIIonsoIIheIIme.
:o 1amesonsBeIcaIIonandIIoIa
InMassCuIIureIsanImorIanI
IouchsIoneInsuchaIradIIIon.
:: MyhomeInsIIIuIIon,NevYorL
InIversIIy,announcedanaree
menIvIIhUooIeInIheIaIIoI
zo:oIhaImIraIedmuchoIIhe
unIversIIysdaIaovIoUooIe
AsIorIducaIIon,IncIudIn
emaII,caIendarIn,documenI
sharIn,andcoIIaIoraIIonIooIs.
TherecenIreveIaIIonIhaIUooIe
hasIorseveraIyearsIeensharIn
IIsdaIasIreamvIIhIheNaIIonaI
SecurIIyAencyonIyaddsIoIhe
moraIcomIexIIIesoIIhIsIyeoI
IndusIrIaIouIsourcIn.
BesI,SIehen,andSharonMarcus.SurIaceBeadIn:AnInIroducIIon.!pnIuIun:o8
(zoog)::z:.
BoIIansLI, Iuc, and Ive ChIaeIIo. T û pI u{ CupIuIm. Trans. Ureory IIIIoII.
Iondon:\erso,zoo.
Bush,\annevar.AsWeMayThInL..IIunIAunII)1uIy:g::o:8.
Iraser,Nancy.1uIunu{1mnm.1umIuIAunu,dCupIuImIuûIIuIC.
Iondon:\erso,zo:.
Ueohean, Bernard DIonysIus. Irom InIormaIIon Theory Io Irench Theory: 1aLoIson,
IevISIrauss,andIheCyIerneIIcAaraIus.CIuI1nqu)8(zo::):gb:zb.
UoIdsIIne,Herman.TCumpuI{umPuuIIuuunûmunn.PrInceIon:PrInceIoni,:gz.
UoIdsIIne,Herman,and1ohnvonNeumann.PIannInandCodInProIIemsIoranIIecIronIc
ComuIInInsIrumenI,ParI II,\oIume:.Pupu{JunuunûmunnunCumpuIn,und
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