What is "Communal Memory"?

Somehow this entry all began when I was attempting to complete the "Welcome" gadget. Hmmm... It occurred to me that that was not quite the right spot for it. But 2 blogs in one day? And day one of my blog, even? Hmmm... Anyway, now it is written, albeit condensed, since I thought it was going to be the "Welcome" or Intro section....

What is "Communal Memmory"? And why do I ask this?

I pose this rhetorical question because it is the name of my blog and thought that you, the reader, might be interested in its significance. Of course, if you are reading this then you know me, and if you know me, then you also know that I have a Master degree in Library and Information Science, with an Archives concentration. Therein lies the idea upon which the title for this blogsite originated (after having tried many other great titles, all of were already taken). But I digress.

Society easily forgets its history. Or one perspective is deemed true over another. Witnesses forget or pass away. Earlier editions of books are replaced with newer, 'true-er' editions. One day the pages of our books may fall away and we will rely mostly on electronic material. Will we have the technological capability to access this new truth? This new history?

What is your part in helping to preserve societal, or communal, memory? Do you have a part? Do you want a part? Consider the generations to come, who will see the truth only as clearly as we have preserved it for them. As have we. We must seek out comprehensive information to partake and to pass forth as we look to the future.

A group's communal memory becomes its common knowledge which creates a social bond, a sense of belonging and identity. Professional historians attempt to corroborate, correct, or refute collective memory. Memory work then entails adding an ethical component which acknowledges the responsibility towards revisiting distorted
histories thereby decreasing the risk of social exclusion and increasing the possibility of social cohesion of at-risk groups. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Memory_work





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© Christina D. George and In the beginning, 2011-13. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Christina D. George and In the beginning with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

In the beginning there was...

... This immediately begs the question, "In the beginning of what?" One might assume I am referring to the beginning of time. Or the beginning of my life. Or the beginning of some other significant event. Any number of things. I title this in such a manner that I might circumnavigate my thoughts and discern a cornerstone upon which to base this blog. (Don't you love the conflicting imagery of a circle and a square?) Or at least settle upon a point to start, even if it does not end up becoming the foundation.

I have read a few other blogs (see some of my favorites listed on my homepage) but do not want to model mine after theirs. While I do seek suggestions, ideas, thoughts, and perhaps even some general guidelines, what I look for most in this regard is the answer to "Why create this blog?" I could create it for professional reasons (many an archivist do), or for personal reasons (many friends do) but I wonder about a number of things:

1) Who wants to read it?
2) Who has time to read it?
3) Will it serve any purpose? and if so then
4) How will it serve anyone personally? and/or
5) How can it serve me professionally?
6) Do I have time to write? or
7) Is the potential purpose it serves enough reason to make time to write?

These are questions I hope that my friends and family can help me find the honest answers to. I know in this digital age this is the new journal. And perhaps for many, a great way to keep in touch with everyone at once (better even than facebook) but how personal is that, and how deep do those relationships maintain once we have reverted entirely to the digital age, with only minimal face-to-face or even voice-to-voice visits?


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© Christina D. George and In the beginning, 2011-13. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Christina D. George and In the beginning with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.