In the conclusion of
Sense of History, Glassberg states that historical activities are increasing
due to numerous factors. The first factor being that in the twentieth century,
various groups have acquired economic and political power. This has allowed
these various groups to gain their place historically among White males of
European descent. Another factor that has caused historical activities to
increase is the fact that, city councils, chambers of commerce and town halls
have developed new historical sites and activities.
New technology greatly
plays a role in the increase of historical activities; even Glassberg mentioned
that the internet will cause a shift towards family, communal and national
histories. As a result of social media sites like Facebook, Twitter and Flickr,
historians, museum curators, archivists and records managers can reach out and
engage actively with the public through these sites. If the use of social media
sites wasn’t enough, technology has invaded once stoic places like museums,
archives and records centers. Museums today use technology to enhance a visitors
experience and engage them by providing entertainment through the use of Ipads,
television screens, holograms and even talking robots! In terms of film, many
documentaries and movies like Ken Burn’s The
Civil War invigorate society with a strong historical passion.
The future of history
in the twenty first century is one of balance. In order to keep history
relevant, technology must be used not only as an entertainment tool, but as a
teaching tool. Although technology is a great tool for history, it’s important
to understand that technology must be used in moderation. Too much technology
could take away from what a museum is trying to teach its audience, or more specifically,
what an object is supposed to show its audience. As past history has dictated,
historians will continue to interpret and analyze past events to help the
present understand its past.
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