Digital History?

As I began my journey toward becoming a student again the first thing everyone asked me was ‘What’s your major’ and ‘What Class are you taking’.  After my answers I would always get blank looks.  I don’t know if it’s because I choose to get my Masters in History or if it’s because ‘Digital’ and ‘History’ were in the same sentence.  To be honest before the class started, I pretty much answered with a blanket statement using the words internet and archiving because I wasn’t sure I knew what it meant.  After reading Digital History and the article from Tech News I understand a little more what it means and how important it is.    To me, History is about stories.  Now in the Digital Age we have more stories than ever to read. 

While I was reading Digital History the one thing that interested me was how the amateur and professional sites both have a place on the internet.  Not only a place but I think that there is a need for both types.   Amateur historians have very specific interests and focus their online exhibits and websites on that subject.  Their passion for their subject creates a focused presentation of items closely related to that subject.  If it wasn’t for their passion we may not get such a detailed view of a certain moment in History.   Professional websites bring a more objective view but sometimes not as in depth

I always considered History to be relevant to the past but now I see the internet as a way for every person to write their history online.  Every person has the ability to share their story through commenting on a website, sharing a link on Facebook or Twitter or blogging about it.  What I thought was just a way to express yourself is in fact another chapter in your story.  You can create and shape your story by the things you choose to share.  I know that there has been negative feedback concerning the Facebook timeline but I think it is a great way to track your story.  The links that are shared and pictures that are commented on show that chapter in your life. 

I also began thinking about how I personally have experienced Digital History recently and I remembered the exhibit that I saw at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in DC.  While we were waiting for our time to enter we saw went through a special exhibit entitled “State of Deception:  The Power of Nazi Propaganda”   This exhibit showcased how the Nazi Party used new techniques and technologies to persuade the people of Germany.  This exhibit would have been powerful enough by itself but by using your cellphone you could have a Holocaust Survivor guide you through the exhibit.  You called a number and the guide told you the beginning of her story and then you were sent text messages throughout the exhibit asking you questions that related to the posters and the media that were on display.  The questions were thought provoking and really made you stop and read the details of each phase of the exhibit.  Because of the use of modern technology I took a lot more away from this exhibit then if I had just been walking through looking at German Propaganda Posters.  You really understood what the Nazi Party was trying to accomplish and the lengths they went through to get their message across.  At the end you received a call from the guide and she told you briefly about her imprisonment in a concentration camp and that she made it out alive.  I have to tell you my friends and I shed a few tears over her experiences. 

I see know how important it is for museums and historical sites to keep History interactive.  When the exhibit that you can travel to see is also online and with more features it would be hard to justify going to the actual museum.  Don’t get me wrong, I think it amazing the information that is at the public’s fingertips now, but something has to spark the interest to pursue the information.  In the digital age the past has to find its place and I think that evolution of social media is writing the next chapter of the story.