In my digital humanities class this week, I learned that defining digital humanities isn’t straightforward because it can’t be easily put into a box. Instead, it’s better understood by looking at what digital humanists actually do. They’re essentially creators who take information from the past and make it digital, turning old stuff into something new and accessible.
For instance, digital humanists might convert outdated maps into digitized versions or create digital autobiographies. This blend of traditional humanities with digital tools is what defines digital humanities for me. It’s like taking history and giving it a tech upgrade.
What stood out to me is how this relates to interactive displays in museums. I’ve seen this in action during visits to places like the Dachau concentration camp in Germany. There, an interactive screen presented personal information about the lives of the victims. It wasn’t just a static display; it brought history to life in a more engaging and relatable way.
So, digital humanities, in my understanding, is about taking the old and making it new through digital means. It’s not just about definitions but about the practical stuff digital humanists do – turning history into something interactive and accessible. This resonates with what I’ve seen in museums, where technology is used to make historical information more dynamic and interesting. This week’s class has broadened my view on digital humanities, showing me how it’s a blend of the familiar past with the ever-evolving world of technology.
