Digital Humanities: Week 1 Reflection

The overall goal set for this class states: “…By the end of this class, each student should be able to engage in their craft in new and digital ways…” It is a broad and bold goal, open to multiple interpretations. The interdisciplinary nature of this course allows it to flow and interact with various facets of life and innovation. However, one word stands out in this objective: craft. Merriam-Webster defines craft as “to make or produce with care, skill, or ingenuity.” In a broader interpretation, crafting involves planning, plotting, intentionality, and demonstrating cleverness and aptitude in how we approach things. The main buzzword people often associate with crafting is creativity. So naturally, the next important question is: what does it mean to merge crafting with the digital world? The same dictionary defines digital as “something characterized by electronic and especially computerized technology.” When defining digital, terms like electronics, computation, data, and patterns are frequently mentioned— all forms of achieving goals and solving problems in clever and structured ways that could easily be seen as a modernized form of what we understand as crafting.

And here lies the problem.

There is the idea that crafting and human creativity could evolve within the digital sphere, but there are also arguments suggesting that these two are like the same poles of a magnet. Out of the many arguments, three seem to stand out.

The first problem is intentionality. Craftsmanship is often associated with intent; some might even argue that true craftsmanship or creativity is a matter of consciousness. However, computers are not intentional (yet). According to a paper by UCLA’s computer science department, when discussing the idea of “Doing versus Knowing,” the paper states that “Humans have intentionality. Computers do not. In shorter terms, humans know what they are doing (when in the process of doing it). Since computers do what they do without knowing what they are doing, computers lack intentionality.” This could pose an issue in terms of truly engaging in crafts in new and digital ways.

The second problem is empathy. Machines do not possess empathy. Individuals have needs, desires, and experiences, which they share with the broader community. The commonality between people and the ability to discern these shared traits fosters understanding and understanding breeds care. That care can be seen in vocation, creativity, purpose, and craftsmanship (Ideally. We are kind of messed up sometimes). Ideas merge with the framework of fairness, inclusion, and justice for others. If we completely shift our crafts and creativity to the digital world, we might lose that human touch, which would be a significant hurdle to the human experience and condition.

The third problem is the creation of an idea box. A valid argument can be made about how technology might establish a standard for idea creation, potentially boxing people into exploring innovation in a particular way. While finding digital methods to engage in creativity might streamline processes and create a more efficient environment, it could also lead to an absurd reality where humanity becomes programmed and rewired by its own programs. Limiting creativity in the pursuit of exploration is an ironic dichotomy that many fear, and it could pose a serious threat to the evolving wave of craftsmanship.

Conclusion note:

After all, there are valid points of contention that justify how the digital world and human creativity can be complementary. However, I find myself leaning more toward the rebuttals. It feels like an opportunity cost situation, where we may have to give up one for the other. I’m eager to explore and find the balance (if there is one) and delve deeper into these ideas in the upcoming weeks in Digital Humanities.



References:

Merriam-Webster Dictionary 

“Intentionality and Computationalism:” Intentionality and Computationalism:, web.cs.ucla.edu/~dyer/Papers/Ijetai90Int.html#:~:text=2.1.&text=What%20is%20intentionality%3F,that%20they%20are%20multiplying%20numbers. Accessed 9 Sept. 2024.

“Is Craftsmanship a Matter of Conscience?” Fine Homebuilding, www.finehomebuilding.com/forum/is-craftsmanship-a-matter-of-conscience. Accessed 9 Sept. 2024.

Riess, Helen. “The Science of Empathy.” Journal of Patient Experience, U.S. National Library of Medicine, June 2017, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5513638/.