Mapping memory: The power of data in storytelling and representation
Sideshow performers often had physical or mental disabilities put on public display to generate ticket sales. They also sometimes gained wealth and fame as popular performers. (Photo/Edward J. Kelty)
We live in a world dominated by data collection and data-driven decision-making. It can be overwhelming to consider how widely our personal information is shared across publicly accessible databases. While this reality may seem alarming, it’s important to remember that data, in and of itself, is not the end. Data tells a story. Behind every number, name, and entry is a human life.
As a librarian and information scientist, I’ve come to see data not as cold or impersonal, but as a key to unlocking meaning. Obscure details and overlooked records often become the breadcrumbs that lead to a greater understanding of our world. The past, even when fragmented or hidden, can be reconstructed through determined research and thoughtful curation.
Digital revival of an entertainment icon: Circus route books and other materials
One of my favorite memories from my teenage years was eating Saturday dinner in the kitchen while watching Star Trek: The Next Generation on the small TV that sat atop our deep freezer in the corner of the dining room. My mom hated the show, but my dad and I watched it each week without fail. I was born into the hype of Star Wars and the mythos surrounding the Skywalker family, but Star Trek gave me a newer, cleaner vision of the future. The Enterprise crew could ask the ship for any bit of information—not only about Earth and its history but about any and all details of the explored areas of the galaxy. How fascinating that a computer could hold so much information and make it readily available at a moment’s notice.