There has been a lot of buzz in the media about the demise (physically) of well-established newspapers - the latest being the Seattle Post-Intelligencer - as cash-strapped newspapers move to an all digital format.
Before we marvel at how technological progress marches on, think on this: one of the major sources of primary information for historians comes from newspapers, whether they are archived on newsprint, microfilm or microfiche.
As more print resources turn to a digital only format, how will this information be archived for future researchers and historians? As some of our paper past evaporates, will our digitized future lead to a historical black hole, an empty space where our society should be?
- Teri
Before we marvel at how technological progress marches on, think on this: one of the major sources of primary information for historians comes from newspapers, whether they are archived on newsprint, microfilm or microfiche.
As more print resources turn to a digital only format, how will this information be archived for future researchers and historians? As some of our paper past evaporates, will our digitized future lead to a historical black hole, an empty space where our society should be?
- Teri