Saving trees is fine, but what kind of record are we leaving behind?
I was watching a TV special called Egypt: The Search for Tutankhamun last night, a dramatized documentary about how King Tut was found, and the head archeologist’s main motivation for searching for Tutankhamun was to find out about his life. He desperately wanted to find papyrus scrolls detailing Tut’s life. But what he said struck an interesting chord with me:
“If I went to your house, walked through each room, how much would I actually learn about you just from looking at your possessions. Not much I think. But if I read your diary, came across some household bills, read some letter written to you - then, I think, I might begin to understand who you really were.”
I got to thinking, “What are we leaving behind?” Celebrities blog, answer emails, and twitter. Of course I’m thinking about authors, who in the past are notorious for extensive correspondence, which has given great insight into their art. But what are they leaving behind for scholars when they write all their correspondence/extras online? What happened to the forums and blogs that started in the early 90s? Are they still around, or did they vanish in the ether along with my old emails from 7th grade when I first set up my yahoo IM name as Suemoe69 and still can’t seem to figure out how to remove the damned 69? (yeah, the IM name stayed, but the emails didn’t.)
I wonder if in 100 years people will be able to pour over my emails the way I pour over Jane Austen’s correspondence. In some cases I certainly hope not. But if we’re looking for something that will really last, I’m afraid they won’t find it in my apartment.
2 years ago • 0 notes