This document discusses how new technologies are changing how social history is curated. It notes that people are more actively engaged in co-creating culture through online participation. This challenges traditional notions of curatorial authority and objectivity. The role of curators is shifting to that of mediators who collaborate with the public and harness technologies to document society's rapid changes. Curators must listen to many voices rather than construct a single narrative and recognize the public's right to participate in cultural life. Harnessing new tools allows social historians to both drive change and help document how technology is transforming society.

1. A New Dynamic – Technology & the Social History Curator Nick Poole, Collections Trust 11.07.09

2. These slides online at:http://www.slideshare.net/nickpoole/Follow us at:http://www.twitter.com/collectiontrust

3. Alongside the established and continuing historiographies of politics and government, religion, thought and economic growth, were to be placed histories of family structure, marriage and childhood, adolescence, old age and death; of social stratification and class relations; of popular attitudes and values, literacy, crime and social control; of gender relations and sexuality; of kinship and neighbourhood, deference and resistance, work and leisure, geographical and social mobility, living standards and consumption and the social basis of participation in religious and political movements.’

4. The challenge to Social Historians is to assimilate, digest, interpret and reflect back to society the great socio-cultural, demographic, economic and consumer shifts which shape contemporary culture.

7. Digital (dis)enfranchisement

9. “Technology changes. People don’t” Technology by itself can’t cure society’s problems, but it can be disruptive– levelling out information asymmetry, equalising consumer and corporation. It can also create new problems

10. In parts of rural India and Africa, the Internet has bypassed the desktop and gone mobile...farmers can share prices, children can learn, people can mobilise & lobby

11. How will your kids consume culture? How will your kids Consume culture? And their kids...?

12. At the moment, it’s still ‘do it online or do it offline’, in 10 years time, it will just be ‘do it’ How will your kids Consume culture? And their kids...?

13. People are plural – occupying many roles, personas, tribes, jobs and managing an incredibly complex set of reference points and channels How will your kids Consume culture? And their kids...?

15. The wired citizen... Personal electronic devices are convergent and mobile Domestic Internet use is at critical mass Ultraportable laptops are free with your pay-as-you-go broadband Digital switchover has happened Turning off FM

16. The New Social Contract... Everybody has a basic human right freely to participate in the cultural life of their community. Many users are moving from passive consumption to active co-creation. The process of interpreting and assigning meaning to objects is becoming more open and democratic. A profound challenge to 100 year old notions of academic objectivity and curatorial authority.

17. “The Future of Museums lies on the Internet” 09.07.09

18. Three questions: How do we curate the torrent of ephemeral bits which make up peoples lived experience What is the proper role of a ‘curator’ in this kind of co-creative environment How can technological tools, methodologies and philosophies assist us in the day job?

19. How do we curate mass-participation and online culture?

20. ...Yesterday, a fire broke out at 76 Dean Street, Soho at about 16.30... ...first tweet on Twitter 16.30... ... within 10 minutes, there were 97 pictures of the fire on Flickr... ...first tasteless joke about Dean Street fire on Twitter 17.14...

21. We don’t!

22. There’s too much of it – we have to collaborate with the public & trust history to curate itself

23. What does it mean to be a curator in this environment? It’s not an either/or, it’s a both/and The role of curator as mediator, journalist, documenter, interpreter and trusted guide is more important than ever before, but the idea of ‘authority’ is coming under severe test. It’s easier for Social History curators!

24. A New Contract with Our Users You will talk, we will listen They’re your collections Many voices is better than one We will come to you We will provide a platform for culture, it’s not our job to construct it You have a right to culture

25. How can social historians harness the power of these new tools? By using them...

26. The society which social history reflects is changing fast Technology is both driving that change and helping to document it We have both an unprecedented challenge and an unprecedented opportunity. Jimmy Wales – “the greatest achievement of Wikipedia is that in future, history will no longer be written by the victors."

27. Nick Poole Chief Executive Collections Trust www.collectionstrust.org.uk www.collectionslink.org.uk www.openculture.collectionstrustblogs.org.uk nick@collectionstrust.org.uk 01223 316 028