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: Hardback
Length: 224 pages
Publication date: 31 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. One of the most significant changes has been the rise of tech startups and the impact they have had on the way we think about and use technology. Tech startups have brought a new level of innovation and disruption to the market, and they have often challenged the established norms and practices of our institutions.

One of the key challenges facing cultural memory institutions is the need to adapt to the changing landscape of technology. This requires a shift in mindset and a willingness to embrace new technologies and approaches. However, many cultural memory institutions have been slow to adapt, and as a result, they have been left behind by the tech sector. This has led to a decline in their relevance and impact, and it has also put their financial stability at risk.

Another challenge facing cultural memory institutions is the need to address the ethical implications of technology. As technology becomes more pervasive in our lives, it raises important questions about privacy, ownership, and control. Cultural memory institutions must be able to address these issues in a transparent and ethical manner, and they must also be able to ensure that their collections are accessible to all members of society.

The Need for a New Vision for Cultural Memory

In order to address these challenges, Owens calls for a new vision for cultural memory. He argues that we need to move away from the current model of technology-driven innovation and towards a more human-centered approach. This means that we need to focus on the needs and desires of individuals and communities, and we need to create technologies and approaches that are designed to enhance their lives and promote their well-being.

One of the key elements of this new vision is the importance of maintenance, care, and repair. Owens argues that these frameworks are essential to building a better future for cultural memory institutions. By maintaining and repairing our collections, we can ensure that they are accessible to future generations and that they remain relevant and valuable. We can also use these frameworks to create new opportunities for engagement and participation, and to promote cultural diversity and inclusion.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the digital age has had a significant impact on our institutions of cultural memory. While it has brought about many benefits, it has also posed significant challenges. By taking back control of envisioning the future of memory from management consultants and tech sector evangelists, and by focusing on the needs and desires of individuals and communities, we can build a better future for cultural memory institutions. This will require a shift in mindset and a willingness to embrace new technologies and approaches, but it will also be essential to ensure that our collections are accessible to all members of society and that they remain relevant and valuable.

Weight: 454g
Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780472076673