As classes began last week, I was able to gain a better understanding of not only what is expected of me during the class but also some basic information regarding the shift in technology (and in some ways thought) from the starting point of the New Deal 1930’s to our modern time. Overall, the discussion was centered on the shift from the New Deal culture and technology to that of future years and generations. One example of those was regarding technology during the late 20th century; it was discussed how rapidly technology changed from the simplistic style of some video games such as Myst which ran on very early framework (Hypercard) to what is running now on modern computers. This also showed the cultural shift during this time, as video games became more and more complex the subject matter of those video games grew as well. This also was seen in the development of the internet itself; the more complex the internet became from a simple idea (Hypertext) to something that users can interact with and change at their own free will. This alongside the development of graphical user interface further pushed this idea of users being able to control their computers (personal computers such as Macintosh).
It will also be interesting to see and try to understand History through modern technology. In most modern classrooms History is taught using primary sources or secondary sources. With this class (as well as with the project) it is apparent that we are now able to somewhat combine both types of sources to gain a much better understanding of what is being studied.
The project I was assigned was Digital Harlem: Everyday Life 1915-1930. This project is an interactive, virtual database of news papers and official legal records from that time and place. The project focusing on the Harlem Renaissance, due to it being such a significant moment for African American history, is able to connect what is most commonly studied in regard to its prominent cultural icons with its everyday life and people; “Unlike most studies of Harlem in the early twentieth century, this project focuses not on black artists and the black middle class, but on the lives of ordinary African New Yorkers.” As stated, this distinction allows the project to much more human while also using modern technology to investigate the past, much like this class will. Also, while it will purposely focus on the everyday lives of African Americans in Harlem it will also show prominent figures that shaped the Harlem Renaissance. This can be referenced in the Nightlife tab where music and culture of the times was on prominent display. The actual website was made to be incredibly interactive, which in turn gives the user a much greater since immersion. Giving users actual records and a sort of flow of the timeline is unique to something like this.
Sources:
Biography.org Editors “Bessie Smith Biography” (2019) The Biography.com website Retrieved: https://www.biography.com/musician/bessie-smith
Digital Harlem “Digital Harlem: 1915-1930” (2017) Australian Government|Australian Research Counsel, Sydney University Retrieved: http://digitalharlem.org/ History.com Editors “Harlem Renaissance”
HISTORY (2019) A&E Television Networks Retrieved: https://www.history.com/topics/roaring-twenties/harlem-renaissance
I found the project you analyzed very interesting. I really liked how it used a map to show exactly where things occurred and when. It allowed me to better visualize the Harlem area. I also agree with your statement that through showing the lives of ordinary African New Yorkers the project gives off a more “humanities” vibe while many of the other projects mainly focus on digitization.
I’m not sure how existing scholarship is on this topic, but digitizing newspapers and legal records from Harlem is probably much needed. The website is cool because it’s highly interactive yet so dense with information.