The probability archive : from essence to uncertainty in the growth of knowledge
Data(s) |
2010
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Resumo |
From a ‘cultural science’ perspective, this paper traces one aspect of a more general shift, from the realist representational regime of modernity to the productive DIY systems of the internet era. It argues that collecting and archiving is transformed by this change. Modern museums – and also broadcast television – were based on determinist or ‘essence’ theory; while internet archives like YouTube (and the internet as an archive) are based on ‘probability’ theory. The paper goes through the differences between modernist ‘essence’ and postmodern ‘probability’; starting from the obvious difference that in a museum each object is selected by experts for its intrinsic properties, while on the internet you don’t know what you will find. The status of individual objects is uncertain, although the productivity of the overall archive is unlimited. The paper links these differences with changes in contemporary culture – from a Newtonian to a quantum universe, progress to risk, institutional structure to evolutionary change, objectivity to uncertainty, identity to performance. Borrowing some of its methodology from science fiction, the paper uses examples from museums and online archives, ranging from the oldest stone tool in the world to the latest tribute vid on the net. |
Formato |
application/pdf |
Identificador | |
Publicador |
Chinese University of Hong Kong |
Relação |
http://eprints.qut.edu.au/39533/1/c39533.pdf http://www.com.cuhk.edu.hk/conference/2010/main.htm Hartley, John (2010) The probability archive : from essence to uncertainty in the growth of knowledge. In The Internet Turning 40 : The Never-ending Novelty of New Media Research, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong. |
Direitos |
Copyright 2010 [please consult the authors] |
Fonte |
ARC Centre of Excellence for Creative Industries and Innovation; Creative Industries Faculty |
Palavras-Chave | #200100 COMMUNICATION AND MEDIA STUDIES #cultural science #archives #productivity #internet #museums |
Tipo |
Conference Paper |