http://top-10-list.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/first-printing-press.
Over the course of history the methods of telling mass narratives has changed dramatically from the first printing press in 1450, to the 21st century of the digital world. One thing that time hasn't changed is the way individuals use the power of language and words to express narratives of space and place.
Being an observer on the social network site Experience Project, I cannot help but notice individuals articulate language they use to describe a place they love. The vivid memories and connections they feel towards a place (Luyn, 2013). With thousands of experiences and stories, the writers connect and communicate with readers through the power of words that enables you to visualise the experience, feel emotion, the reality and the aliveness of the place or experience(Tuan, 1991)."Words enhance the picture" (Tuan, 1991), provide a mental image of an experience which creates a power of relationship between the writer and reader.
Above is an example how over the course of history it's just not technology that has changed our ways of narrating stories, but a change in the individuals telling the story. From the professional, intellectual and powerful individuals, to ordinary people having power and ability to narrate and publish their experiences or memories (Luyn, 2013) within the digital setting. Narrating within the digital setting is a great way as a means of constructing a place. Dr Luyn (2013) listed a great website, Story Corps that users oral language for people to listen and experience different narratives of everyday, ordinary people (Luyn, 2013). These digital advances are revolutionising ways of storytelling of a place and empowering those who choose to embrace. In due time maybe history will remember this as an evolution of narrating, just like the printing press.
References
First printing press [Image]. Retrieved from: http://top-10-list.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/first-
printing-press.
Luyn, A. V. (2013). BA1002: Our Space: Networks, narratives and the making of place,
Lecture 5 narratives and place. Retrieved from:
Tuan, Y. F. (1991). Language and the making of Place: A narrative-descriptive approach.
Annals of the Association of American Geographers, 81(4), 684-696. Retrieved from:
Hi Nick
ReplyDeleteThis is a well written post.
I think we've definitely seen a democratisation of "publishing" with the expansion of the internet. The power over the distribution of knowledge via the written word, that was traditionally held by a powerful, rich, educated elite has been diluted. But now there's so much info available & so many voices we have trouble sorting the decent stuff from the bs (please pardon my language, lol).
There are also new "gatekeepers" emerging (some are reincarnations of the old ones like academic publishing companies that lock info behind paywalls). Others are actually new entities where people compete to get their voices heard(like on popular websites, wikis, blogs, review sites, newsite comments sections etc).
Nice post :)