“Code is “making” because we’ve figured out how to package it up into discrete units and sell it, and because it is widely perceived to be done by men.”
Chachra, Debbie. “Why I Am Not a Maker.” The Atlantic, Atlantic Media Company, 23 Jan. 2015
Progress in the modern age is inextricably linked to the pursuit of capital gain; its hierarchies and commodification extend to digital humanities. As we digitize areas of study and facets of human existence we increase the value of digital literacy and the “experts” in digital fields. However, we don’t modify our understanding of value to fit how the digital world functions and instead impose our pre-existing ideas onto that system. This is why, as Chachra mentions in her article, coders are get wealthy wages and prestige that tech managers, educators, and facilitators do not receive. The digital world does not escape the historical foundations of male-domination and value given to those who “make”; it too ignores and undervalues caregivers.
This perspective really stood out to me because it critiques the idea that technological progress equals societal progress; in reality, digital progress is still constrained by the value systems of capitalism. It also made me realize my own personal ideas about making and makers, as I realized a lot of the things I see value in fall under “making”. The digital humanities related projects I have done in the past and plan to do in the future that I take pride in or have excitement about all involve making something, which is what I focus on. Coding, CAD, and mapping all have “making” aspects, but also were taught to me, critiqued, and fixed, all things that are just as valuable as the final product. I want to have a greater appreciation for these aspects of digital humanities in my future projects.
Regarding future projects, this term I am excited to use CAD and create data sets involving my interests in the humanities. I don’t have a particular liking for STEM, but I think that using digital means as a tool for studying things I am more interested in will be a great way to combine what I am passionate about and want to improve at. I think that art, music, and writing are all things that I love that digital humanities can really open up in different ways academically. I also would just generally like to understand how experts are using technology to study the humanities and how that can apply to things I am learning or want to learn more about.
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I also find that I place a lot of value in making things. I want to work on recognizing the value in my work that is not directly related to creating an outcome–more exploratory work, practice, tutoring, and collaborative conversations. These are also things deserving of our time and energy and can bring better results when things end up getting made.