10/9/12 response

            Glassberg notes several reasons as to why historical activities are increasing.  First, the history of local areas is becoming increasingly valuable.  People relate to their local community’s history more in order to feel a sense of place.  Valuing local history also can be used to boost economic development in the town as well.  Another reason is that groups of people that have been suppressed in the past are organizing and collecting their own histories more and more. 

            New technology does play a role in the increase in historical activities.  The Internet allows people to access more information online as well as communicate with each other faster.  As people find new information or come up with new ideas on a topic, they can immediately make them accessible to everyone online.  Film also helps with this increase.  In just a few hours a viewer can learn and be engaged in a new topic.  The magic of film is that it allows people to quickly visualize the importance of whatever topic they’re watching. 

            I think that the future of history in the 21^st century is bright.  Historians will definitely have to learn how to manage and embrace new technological advances, but there will be an increased number of people interested in history as a result.  The 9/11 digital archives is one example of the way that historians can interact with the public and gather statements and memories from across the world.  Digital archives can be valuable in other situations as well, such as, reactions after a new election or after a natural disaster.