METHODOLOGY \ PRINCIPLES \ 312
1: G. Buccellati, November 2005
Introductory
Structure: the three great disparities
Digital thought in practice: digital publishing
Correlates and conclusion
The Urkesh Global Record
The impact of the computer on archaeology, and more broadly on the social sciences and the humanities, must be considered here in detail – especially because the Urkesh website is experimenting with ways of using the digital dimension as a more explicitly distinctive method of inquiry. The question of digital thought is thus a cornerstone of this whole website. I am talking not about the technical, but rather about the methodological impact – how the computer affects, or should affect, our way of thinking, in general and as it relates to archaeology in particular. Back to top Introductory
Structure: the three great disparitiesCentral to creative thought is the ability to connect phenomena and ideas. This is obviously proper of thought in general, not just digital thought. But the new dimension is defined by some fundamental concepts that relate to the way in which connectivity among data is brought about. There are three fundamental disparities which act as triggers of creative thought in general, and are built systemically into the fabric of digital thought. They are:
Digital thought in practice: digital publishingBuilding on this theoretical basis, we should explore how digital thought takes shape in practice. After addressing questions about the nature of digital writing and reading, and after outlining more specifically the details of digital publication proper, I will propose two concrete examples from our website.
Correlates and conclusionFinally, I will broach two topics of more general theoretical import that are particularly relevant for my overall effort, and draw some overall conclusions.
The Urkesh Global RecordThe full implementation of the principles outlined here for the digital dimension are to be found in the Global Record, which occupies (quantitatively) the major portion of this website. The specific deTails that apply more particularly to this record are given within the framework of the Mozan Sitewide book of the Global Record, under INTRODUCTION \ DIGITAL DIMENSION.Back to top |