“However, one of the strongest attributes of the field is that the iterative versioning of digital projects fosters experimentation, risk-taking, redefinition, and sometimes failure (21).”
Burdick et al. “One: From Humanities to Digital Humanities,” in Digital_Humanities (Cambridge, MA: MIT Press, 2012), 21.
This specific sentence grabbed my attention because I appreciate that there is so much room for growth and experimentation within the digital humanities. Having failure within the expectations creates a safer and more comfortable space for people to engage with the field, which I find incredibly refreshing. I feel like many fields and industries expect perfection, but this idea of having the freedom to take risks and to fail gives people like me more confidence to enter difficult fields of study. It’s in this way that the quote resonates with me and has kindled new expectations for my potential future major and career. Going into computer science I was fearful that as a woman of color entering a male dominated field I couldn’t risk messing up. In retrospect I know that not failing, particularly in a field as difficult as computer science, would be virtually impossible. However, reading this quote helped me solidify the fact that failure is not only expected in this field, but that it’s simply a normal part of learning. As we continue learning more about digital humanities I am excited to see where things relate to and bridge into computer science. I am especially eager about pursuing and exploring our next unit about web development using HTML and other programming languages for that same reason; as I feel it will connect the two topics fairly well. I have had some experience with HTML before but not with any sort of digital humanities class, so being able to learn more about this topic in a new way, with the freedom to really explore, is exciting and something I look forward to.
3 thoughts on “Blog 1- Quote Reflection (KD Meraz)”
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I resonate with this quote because it highlights the dynamic and adaptable nature of digital projects. It emphasizes that failure is a natural part of the process, encouraging experimentation and pushing boundaries. Just like in football and personal growth has also taught me the value of experimentation, risk-taking, and the possibility of failure. Embracing failure in both areas has helped me become more resilient and determined to push myself past my limits.
The expectation of failure does increase the ability to feel comfortable in this field and I really do also find that refreshing. There is so much pressure put on people to be prefect when in reality no one is, especially when that pressure comes internally in a way to fight off expectations. Coming from a nother computer science major I also can’t wait to see how we bridge into computer science.
I also found the concept of failure in Digital Humanities interesting. Not only does it help us feel more comfortable making mistakes it also help us realize how much value can come from a “failure”. We’re constantly learning even though we don’t always come back with a perfectly polished product! It’s an encouraging and inspiring model of working. (Maddie Smith)