Cultural Preservation is an Ongoing Effort

“Historical oblivion is the default, not the exception” to the human record, writes game designer Jordan Mechner in his contribution to this report.13 Be it natural elements like fire or water, negligent or intentional people, or simple forgetfulness, practically all human expression will disappear or change without human intervention. Only through acts of repair and digitization will materials such as a grandmother’s cookbook, a groundbreaking game ahead of its time, or endangered languages continue to survive, and only through access will their survival prove meaningful to the next generation. In response to the risk of materials falling into oblivion, humanity has built libraries and archives big and small, and developed rigorous preservation practices, so that the past need not be so easily lost. These institutions have not always collected fairly, nor have they always been accessible.14 Yet now more than ever, with the help of dedicated individuals and communities, these institutions seek to ethically collect and preserve culture broadly. They also offer digital lending programs, so that anyone in the world with an internet connection can enjoy and learn from the past, not just those with the means to visit a physical location.

Chris Freeland, Luca Messarra, Juliya Ziskina, Vanishing Culture: A Report on Our Fragile Cultural Record (October 17, 2024)

• culture
• digital preservation
• free culture