There’s a widespread idea that “People who make things are simply different [read: better] than those who don’t.”
Chachra, D. (2015, January 23) Why I am not a Maker. The Atlantic. Retrieved January 12, 2023, from https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2015/01/why-i-am-not-a-maker/384767/
In her article Why I am not a Maker, Debbie Chachra discusses the societal view of and the value placed on making. Central to her point is that society puts those who make—people labeled as inventors, entrepreneurs, or more recently, programmers—on a pedestal. This uplifting of makers leaves in the shadows those in society who practice teaching, critical analysis, caregiving, and many other essential jobs without which the makers of the world would be useless. As Dr. Chachra says, it is clear that the societal weight placed on making “is informed by the gendered history of who made things, and in particular, who made things that were shared with the world, not merely for hearth and home.” The labor traditionally performed by women—educating, nurturing, supporting, caregiving—and the innovations developed therein have been and remain undervalued.
Where then does this leave Digital Humanities? As I read Dr. Chachra’s article, I couldn’t help but make the connection between the practice of making and a core piece of DH’s ethos: projects. The introduction of the digital has allowed humanities inquiry to dive into the world of making deeper than ever before with the likes of interactive databases and novel models and exhibits. In particular, the output of the humanities is more tangible and akin to the inventive process than at any other time in history. At the same time, wrapped in the Digital Humanities is a passion for educating and supporting and critiquing. As a field, DH has the power to uplift and credit both those who make and those who don’t but still contribute meaningfully.
Dr. Chachra’s writing and the general move within the Digital Humanities to provide proper credit and recognition give me a lot of hope and courage for the future. I personally don’t want to be a maker in the traditional sense. I find personal fulfillment in the role of teacher or supporter or organizer and I am glad that roles like those are receiving rightly deserved attention. Further, I am excited to explore how the tools of Digital Humanities can allow me to engage with the practice of education and caregiving. Specifically, I hope to better analyze sources and projects to delve into the unseen labor of those who contributed in undervalued ways. I believe that the lenses of DH are uniquely suited for such inquiry.
– Jack