So here we are in week 14 close to the end of the course. This is my last blog and I must say I have mixed feelings. On the one hand, I am somewhat relieved as my head is so filled with technical jargon, theories, and differing perspectives on this topic that it feels about to explode. On the other hand, I feel fortunate to have gained an enhanced comprehension of information architecture and the part it has to play in our world. This week we finished part 3 of Holding on to Reality which is comprised of chapters 11 through 15. Chapter 11 deals with elementary measures and how to separate information into smaller pieces. This can be difficult to comprehend as it becomes harder to identify the finished product when the cultural and social signs are deconstructed into their core elements. According to According to Borgmann (1999), “The force of reality does not naturally present itself in bits. But if we can theoretically grasp the structure of information, it is technologically possible to capture the surface and anatomy of reality by assigning bits of information to the facets and ligaments of things, and in this way information about, for, and as reality can be structured in bits with powerful results” (p. 140). What is clear is that people must be willing to put in the work to recognize the signs around us and be able to decipher them in the information that is online.
In chapter 12 Borgmann discusses the basic structure of information or content. He mostly focused on technological advancements using such examples as vacuum cleaner tubes, calculators and computers. Even though I don’t necessarily like certain technological stuff that others may enjoy, I do agree with Borgmann assessment that in order to maintain the life that we as a society have become used to, these innovations are essential. I admit that I am a person who does not deal well with change. An example is when Blackboard updated its site this year. On the site, there is a message that states that users need to have Internet Explorer 7 or else the site will not properly load. I personally felt that the site worked fine before the upgrade and I resent being told I have to make changes to my computer (which does not need the changes for anything else) in order to use the site. I have not gotten Internet Explorer 7 and instead use a computer at my library to do my class work. While I value the philosophy of “if it ain’t, broke don’t fix it,” I do understand that people and businesses will be left behind if they don’t acknowledge and embrace these changes when they are required.
Chapter 13 deals with transparency and control. In this chapter, Borgmann (1999) states that, “technological information promises to render reality, not just perspicuous or surveyable, but altogether transparent. Transparency seems to be the perfection of information about reality” (p. 168). Borgmann uses mapmaking as an example of how technological information has come a long way from when Lewis and Clark first trekked across the US and created a hand drawn map to computer programs that can not only scan the topography of the earth, but beneath it as well which has helped us to monitor what is happening with our planet such as geographical changes.
In chapter 14, the author discusses virtuality and ambiguity and how it relates to reality and virtual reality. According to the textbook (1999), “Real ambiguity is resolved through engagement with an existing reality. With virtual reality, resolution is high and engagement intense. But it is characteristic of virtual reality that as resolution and engagement grows, so does ambiguity” (p. 185). Borgmann indicates that virtual reality, while it has grown significantly in popular culture and allows people to engage in fanciful activities that they might not be otherwise able to do, it provides us with no real information about the world and prevents us from living the life that we have. I am inclined to agree as I feel that while virtual reality can, at times, be a pleasant distraction from life, it should not be a replacement for it.
Lastly, in chapter 15, we are introduced to the concepts of fragility and noise. Borgmann (1999) states that, “Through the passage of time, technological information becomes physically fragile because so do the traces and media they are inscribed on. Technological information is socially fragile because of our heedless rush toward more powerful technologies that condemn older ones to obsolescence and illegibility” (p. 196). This fragility also relates to structural and cultural areas that must be preserved or else valuable information can be lost. In regards to noise, the author does not refer to the noise of technology, but to the growing fragility of voices that have roots in reality such as art, nature and religion. I agree with this because it does seem like these are being pushed to the back and as an art and nature lover and a religious person, this fragility is saddening to see and should not be allowed to happen.
All in all, I must say that this book was really enjoyable to read. Borgmann explained himself so well and I loved reading about the history of the topics and how it all relates to culture and society. Granted, at times there were some areas where the technological subjects were a little overwhelming for me and made my head hurt, but the details that he discusses are necessary to know due to the effects that technology has on our daily lives. I have learned a lot about information architecture, both its origins and what possibilities exist for the field in the future. It also really opened my eyes to the Web and how it works which was something I had never given much thought to before. In closing I just want to say that it was great to read all this information, take part in all the discussions, and say thank you to Dr. Simon for an illuminating semester.
References:
Borgmann, Albert. (1999). “Holding on to Reality: The Nature of Information at the Turn of the Millennium.” Chicago, IL. The University of Chicago Press.