Books? Internet?

When I was reading, Scarcity or Abundance? Preserving the Past in a Digital Era, by Roy Rosenzweig, I began to think about some of the reasons why not all historians are interested in learning about the digital world, which led me to ask myself some questions (many of which were brought up in class today, but I wanted to write about it in any case).
I wondered why it is so difficult for historians to accept the idea that we may be able to preserve all sorts of information on the World Wide Web. That our research could become easily accessible simply by signing onto the internet.

When I think of doing research, I picture libraries and archives, full of dusty old books. I picture sitting through the night in old buildings that one can image are haunted (well at least I do). There is a certain image I associate with conducting historical research that I think actually inspires historians. Those settings almost make us want to do our research. It is not easy work, actually it can be quite tedious, but I know I have enjoyed sitting for hours looking through books at the library or at home. I can get caught up sitting on the floor with tons of books surrounding me and in a way it makes me feel important because I realize I am looking at something of great significance.

Conducting research on my computer does not give me that same feeling. Writing I can do on my computer, because I can write my thoughts and ideas quickly on the topic at hand. But to do research also on my computer almost makes me feel confined and claustrophobic. Like I am attached to this piece of machinery and I feel at times very fidgety. Not being able to physically hold the book, but look at it through the window of my computer, just doesn’t do it for me.

I can understand why the idea of putting all of the world’s information on the net would be an exciting notion. But with doing research through the internet, will historians produce better quality work? Because won’t the attachment to things old be lost because we are looking at it through a modern medium, making it more difficult for historians to produce inspired work?

The reason I have thought of this, is because this past year I read two novels, The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova and The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield. The reason I chose to read these books was because it involved characters doing research in old dusty archives and libraries late at night, and I wanted to be drawn into that world; to be in Europe in historic buildings, looking at old smelly books. The libraries of the two universities I have attended were not in historic buildings and I always wished they were. Still, just being in a library where there are shelves and shelves of books, holding them, sifting through them, got me excited. I would take out 20 books at a time to research my essays and would sit for hours by my electric fireplace (again wishing it was a wood burning one, but what can you do?), holding a cup of tea in my hand, with a lamp over my head, the snow falling outside, wind howling, and me reading.

In the program I am in now, most of my readings are online and I am finding it somewhat difficult. For my Digital History class it makes sense to read about the internet on the internet. Even my Public History class itself. But when it comes to taking a history class on a particular war or period, I like the idea of going to the library and sitting with an actual book.

In any case, what I am trying to say is that I can understand why historians are having a difficult time thinking that one day they will be doing all their research on the internet, at least I know I do. Many historians probably got into the profession in order to immerse themselves in all things old as a way of having a break, in a sense, from our present day modern society.

However, the reality of it is somewhat different. More and more people are depending on the internet, and I am going to say, it is still in combination with books. Books still play a very important role in our society, but so does the internet. As historians I think we care about reaching as many people as we can, and the way to do that these days is through the internet. Therefore, I think we need to find a balance between the old and the new.

Here is some food for thought (I thought about this after my class today).

When I interviewed the famine survivor I conducted the interview in Ukrainian. If I had known no Ukrainian and would have had to hire an interpreter, I would not have had the same experience. There was a connection between me and the person I interviewed because I could personally communicate with them (even if my Ukrainian language was not at the same level).

I think that when dealing with technology, it is better to somewhat understand the language, then to be completely uneducated in it. It will make your experience as a historian in this day and age a more successful one.

Besides, the more languages you know the better – isn’t that what they say?

Question: I have decided to edit my question for this posting. Since many of us in our Public History class have shown a definate love for books, I would like to hear what sort of books you would recommend?

I highly recommend the two books I mention in my posting.

Історія і Танці ~ History and Dance

I was in the process of reading, The Presence of the Past: Popular Uses of History in American Life by Roy Rosenzweig and David Thelen, when I cam across something very familiar to me. In the chapter “The Presence of the Past: Patterns of Popular Historymaking” it begins by outlining how people experience history in their daily lives. One example, found on page 17, discusses a girl who was involved in African American dance. The claim she makes is that “Dance gives her a ‘better sense of where I come from.” “Her dancing and her study of the ‘history behind it’ not only give her a sense of ‘something that was done by my ancestors’ but also ‘can contribute to the African American community.’”

I can completely relate to this! Since I was five years old I have been a part of a Ukrainian dance company. I actually just celebrated my twentieth year dancing with them. For many years, throughout high school and into the first years of my undergraduate studies it was my life. I always did well in school, but was also very committed to dancing. It inspired me and made me feel a great attachment to my Ukrainian background and to Ukraine itself, even though I was born in Canada. Being a part of this dance group also meant that I interacted with people that were in most cases Ukrainian. In some instances, I was dancing with boys and girls that were the sons and daughters of people my mother and father use to dance with. And I can definitely relate to the fact that dancing made me have a better understanding of my history. It made me feel proud and gave me an emotional attachment to that history that I am not sure I would have otherwise had.

My dance group had many opportunities to participate within the Ukrainian community. One of these events was the commemoration of the famine in Ukraine or Holodomor in 1993. I was very young, but I remember watching the older dancers rehearse the interpretive dance based on this historical tragedy, and I felt moved and instantly attached to it. I played a small part for that performance, however it stuck with me. Our instructor was always really good at educating us on the history of what we were portraying, and this was no exception. This performance and what I had learned about this tragedy would later come out in my studies in University.

It began in my second year, when I was beginning to get frustrated with my chosen direction. I needed to find something that inspired me, that I felt I had a connection with, because I was not connecting with my studies in school. It began with a painting depicting the Holodomor. Then in my third year I took a history class to learn more about the history of Eastern Europe, with the idea that I would be able to write my research paper on the famine in Ukraine. And things just escalated from there. It became my main area of research in my studies in history, as well as my subject matter in my art. I felt a connection to it. I was even given the incredible opportunity of interviewing a famine survivor, which was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life (visit: http://www.infoukes.com/newpathway/28-2006_Page_8-1.htm ). And I truly believe that a great deal of what influenced me to pursue a history that meant so much to me was thanks to my dancing.

I still dance and it still inspires me, not to mention it keeps me in shape. ;)

Photograph: Self Portrait by Kalyna Klymkiw

For those of you reading my post, I invite you all to try and remember what it was that inspired you to become interested in history, and even public history for that matter.

Передмова ~ Introduction

You are probably wondering why there are some strange looking characters on my blog page. They are Ukrainian words, which are followed by their English translations. Until the age of 5, I did not know the English language. I now consider it to be my first language, as I use it the most. However, I am still very much involved in my Ukrainian heritage. I therefore consider myself a Ukrainian-Canadian. I know that many people have trouble understanding such a description. I was born in Canada, therefore I should be considered a Canadian.

There are so many things I love about Canada, having traveled to almost every province within this great country, visiting National and Provincial Parks, heritage sites, and beautiful landmarks. And it has probably contributed to my interest in Public History. But there is this other part of me. I have spent my life, in Canada, going to Ukrainian schools, camps, churches, festivals, dance classes, have many Ukrainian friends and now my research interests are even in Ukrainian history. My life experiences are found within both of these cultures. I am however eager to learn more about Canadian history, which is why I am very excited to be taking the Public History program at UWO.

But enough about me.

As far as blogging goes, I have never done this before. This is something most people write at the beginning of their blogs, which is why I chose to mention it later. I want to make you aware that I am not entirely sure of what to expect or what is expected of me in this process. I will do my best to make it as interesting as possible. It feels a bit strange to be writing all of this, knowing many other people will read it. What will they think? I suppose I will find out...

Well now that I have written much more than I expected, I would like to conclude by welcoming you to my blog! I want to wish everyone a wonderful year!

Photograph: Demonstration in Toronto during the Orange Revolution.

Question: Considering what you know about me so far, can anyone guess why I chose an orange template for my blog? Hint: It has to do with recent history...