Humanities Students Find Surprising Value in Tech Engagement
Exploring how tech skills enrich humanities majors and prepare them for the future, emphasizing both caution and creativity.
Once considered realms poles apart, the merging of humanities and digital technology presents a surprising twist that spells growth and opportunity for non-tech folks in arts and humanities.
The Traditional Paths of Study
Historically, the world of humanities boasted tangible records, handwritten notes, and meticulously typed manuscripts. Such traditional avenues provided comfort to those, like myself, who fancied structure over numbers. Long essays filled with tales of the past seemed to be divine interventions, guiding a set path away from STEM’s clutches. However, today’s evolving landscape paints a necessity to marry humanities with digital advances.
The Anxiety Around Digital Innovation
In an eye-opening chat with Alex Mayfield, Ph.D., it becomes clear that hesitancy towards technology isn’t unique to humanities buffs. “In general, people shun technologies unfamiliar to them,” he explains. Students prefer classic forms of scholarship, but the tides are turning as technology gradually becomes indispensable.
Falling in Love with Tech Tools
My journey with tech began akin to a slow-dance during a historical research endeavor. Navigating digital archives required skills beyond the pen. Clutching onto a digital methods course, I learned that tech intricacies weren’t reserved for math whizzes. Microsoft’s Excel, once intimidating, transformed into a trusted tool, marking a digital awakening.
The Hidden Gems of Tech Literacy
Today’s job market prizes adaptability, as emphasized by Mayfield, who opined on the virtues of mastering even a piece of non-repetitive tech. Skills gained are assets in diverse scenarios, helping in seamless task navigation, as I discovered handling Excel for both archiving and during my summer internship.
The Dual-edged Sword of Digital Dependency
Glenn Harden, Ph.D., warns of digital dependency overshadowing our human essence. The influx of AI in academia prompts reflections on utilizing digital tools wisely without ceding control. The essence of humanity must be retained; tools should inspire creativity, not overshadow our autonomy.
Humanities Hold the Key
In the grand chessboard of life, fueling our curiosity about tech creates a nuanced understanding of its societal impact. Mayfield’s insights offer a reminder: “Technologies aren’t neutral,” emphasizing the need for humanists to claim their digital space and contribute to crafting a balanced future.
Pioneering a Path of Coexistence
As we pivot from classroom debates to innovating solutions, the importance of technology in our discipline burgeons, creating roles where sanctuary meets novelty. Encouragement falls upon us to wade through technological waters, ensuring we ascend as informed, creative contributors to an interconnected world.
The symbiotic relationship between humanities majors and technology is more pronounced than ever, calling for an open embrace of new methods and tools. As stated in The Asbury Collegian, this journey of engagement may very well shape the way forward for future scholars and thinkers.
