I’ve gathered from the readings, that the Humanities, is on the verge of large scale change. The implementation of technology can radically alter the way the human experience is captured by fields like art, literature and drama. Technology, I believe, will become an ever increasing useful tool that allows the expansion of the Humanities from scholar-based discourse to a more proletariat general consumption. There seems to be resistance towards the new mode of digitization, but I think that digital growth is inevitable.
The view of the Humanities which resonated with me most is the interview with Brett Bobley. I feel that he excellently captured the benefits of digital innovations in the sense that the Humanities will receive better access, publication, and consumption. This, in combination with the information regarding the massive reduction and demand for paper-based publications only further convinces me that digital transformation is not only flourishing, but is essential to the Humanities community.
In what ways is the split between the cultures of science and the Humanities justified or not justified? Digital Humanities seems to be the bridge between the distinct cultures of science and the Humanities. Science, based off of data, observation, and empiricism, at first glance seems to be far removed from its cousin, which interprets the process of the human experience through primarily subjective mediums. I feel like the divide between cultures is unjustified in some sense because both disciplines seek to understand the world, just through alternate methods.
The transition from two distinct cultures to the Third Culture is gaining momentum. The ability to share knowledge instantaneously, while preserving tradition, lies within the realm of the Digital Humanities. It is in the benefit of both the science community and the Humanities to work together in order to achieve this change.
I think your last bit about “the ability to share…while preserving tradition” is really important. While I lam embracing DH, I can’t help but think back to our first class meeting when Kleinman said that we need parameters. It is within these parameters and perhaps even through the implementation of rules within DH traditions can be maintained within all of the hype. If you think about it, especially as fast as DH is growing – in curriculum, popularity, etc., one needs to remember that it still goes without definition – so would it really hurt to have some rules in order to achieve the traditions you speak of?
Yes it seems that the use of modern internet site such as google or wikipedia can be a good example of the way in which digital means can bring the study of humanities to everyday people.
There may be those that are against such new digital technology for the use and study of humanities but it seems that throughout history there are always people who reject new innovations that are projected to change the way people think and act.
As far as there being differences from the branches of learning, it seems that Digital Humanities is open to the idea of merging the branches of learning using new digital technology for the ultimate learning experience.