Evidence, Truth, and Order

I think that the "truth" of a photograph is as much as one can see in it...If the pictures is not manipulated in any way shape or form then it is the truth to some extent. Just a plain photograph is the truth at the vantage point of the photographer. Its the truth in that second the pictures is taken. Its captureing that moment in history forever as evidence of what was occuring at that time. Everything though has control on the interpretation of this truth and order. The time of day, setting or background, shadows, the light, the angle of the photo ect.

The Digital Age..thoughts on mondays class

At the end of our last class we were discussing the transition into the digital works. I thought it was interesting to hear the term "googleization" as well. Mostly because its a search engine that is so new. I recall when Yahoo or ask geeves were the main ones. We live in a society that is digital. I think it is very important to keep libraries like the one we visited but its also nice to have that stuff online so that if someone in California wants to see what we have they dont have actually come to Buffalo to view it. I think that we will always have these original prints but at the same time its more likely that the digital thing is what we will be refrencing. Sort of like we were discussing with the Mona Lisa. How we can see the real thing if we go to it, but we can also see that online, as much as the real experience is nice for research purposes its ok to have it digital. There is a whole market for digital text books as well. Instead of going to the bookstore just download it online and its always avalible. And if you really want it print it out. I think thats where that is headed.

Material Culture

I think that "material culture" is very similar to anthropology or archeology in at least looking at time periods or use. I agree with the article when it says anything can be a material posession from your car to the contents of your kitchen. Things one uses on a daily basis, are considered material posessions but i dont think they are extravagant in any way like a tooth brush or a hair brush. Unless of corse if they are made of solid gold or something like that. But then again that is one of those things the article talked about that could possibly point to someones status in society.

In terms of material things that "speak" i think that ancient cultures posessions can do just that. Studying Greek Anthropolgy/archeology I have come to learn about such items. They used the burial ritual of cremation when someone passed for people of high class. The passed away was buried with material posessions such as jewlerly and wine cups. Sometimes if it was speical like a hero or something that person would get buried with his horse and weapons. That was a great honor.
It is a very interdiscillinary study that goes back long time and will continue in the future.