Trevor Owens warns that our institutions of cultural memory are being disrupted and calls for memory workers and institutions to take back control of envisioning the future of memory from management consultants and tech sector evangelists. He argues that we need powerful and compelling counter frameworks and values to replace tech startup ideologies and that maintenance, care, and repair are essential for building a better future in which libraries, archives, and museums can thrive as sites of belonging and connection.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 224 pages
Publication date: 06 May 2024
Publisher: The University of Michigan Press

After Disruption: A Future for Cultural Memory , by Trevor Owens, warns that our institutions of cultural memory, such as libraries, archives, museums, humanities departments, research institutes, and more, have been disrupted, and largely not for the better. He calls for memory workers and memory institutions to take back control of envisioning the future of memory from management consultants and tech sector evangelists. The book posits that we are no longer planning for a digital future, but instead living in a digital present. In this context, Owens asks how we plan for and develop a more just, sustainable, and healthy future for cultural memory. The first half of the book draws on critical scholarship on the history of technology and business to document and expose the sources of tech startup ideologies and their pernicious results, revealing that we need powerful and compelling counter frameworks and values to replace these ideologies. The second half of the book makes the case for the centrality of maintenance, care, and repair as interrelated frameworks to build a better future in which libraries, archives, and museums can thrive as sites of belonging and connection through collections.

The Digital Age and the Future of Cultural Memory

The digital age has brought about significant changes in our society, and one of the most significant is the impact it has had on our institutions of cultural memory. These institutions, such as libraries, archives, museums, humanities departments, research institutes, and more, play a crucial role in preserving and transmitting our cultural heritage for future generations. However, the digital age has also posed significant challenges to these institutions, and many of them are at risk of being disrupted or even disappearing altogether.

In his book After Disruption: A Future for Cultural Memory, Trevor Owens warns that our institutions of cultural memory have been “disrupted,” and largely not for the better. He calls for memory workers and memory institutions to take back control of envisioning the future of memory from management consultants and tech sector evangelists. Owens argues that we are no longer planning for a digital future, but instead living in a digital present. In this context, he asks how we plan for and develop a more just, sustainable, and healthy future for cultural memory.

The first half of the book draws on critical scholarship on the history of technology and business to document and expose the sources of tech startup ideologies and their pernicious results. Owens reveals that we need powerful and compelling counter frameworks and values to replace these ideologies. The second half of the book makes the case for the centrality of maintenance, care, and repair as interrelated frameworks to build a better future in which libraries, archives, and museums can thrive as sites of belonging and connection through collections.

The Disruption of Cultural Memory Institutions

The digital age has had a profound impact on our institutions of cultural memory. Many of these institutions have been forced to adapt to the changing landscape of technology and business, and as a result, they have become more efficient, accessible, and user-friendly. However, this has also led to a loss of control over the future of cultural memory. Management consultants and tech sector evangelists have taken over the development of new technologies and services, and they have often prioritized profit over the preservation of cultural heritage.

This has led to a number of negative consequences. For example, many libraries have been forced to close or reduce their hours, and many archives have been forced to digitize their collections. This has made it difficult for people to access cultural heritage, and it has also led to the loss of jobs for many memory workers. Additionally, the digital age has made it easier for people to steal and sell cultural heritage, and it has also made it easier for people to manipulate and distort cultural heritage.

The Need for a New Approach to Cultural Memory

Owens argues that we need a new approach to cultural memory that is more inclusive, sustainable, and democratic. He suggests that we should focus on the preservation of cultural heritage for its own sake, rather than for its economic value. He also suggests that we should prioritize the needs of marginalized communities and that we should work to create a more equitable and just society.

To achieve these goals, Owens proposes a number of strategies. For example, he suggests that we should invest in the development of new technologies and services that are designed to preserve cultural heritage. He also suggests that we should invest in the training of memory workers and that we should work to create a more supportive and inclusive environment for memory workers.

Conclusion

The digital age has brought about significant changes in our society, and one of the most significant is the impact it has had on our institutions of cultural memory. Trevor Owens warns that our institutions of cultural memory have been disrupted, and largely not for the better. He calls for memory workers and memory institutions to take back control of envisioning the future of memory from management consultants and tech sector evangelists. Owens proposes a new approach to cultural memory that is more inclusive, sustainable, and democratic, and he suggests that we should invest in the development of new technologies and services, the training of memory workers, and the creation of a more supportive and inclusive environment for memory workers. By doing so, we can help to ensure that our cultural heritage is preserved for future generations.

Weight: 374g
Dimension: 151 x 228 x 17 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780472056675