Comments on: Library as Cultural Memory http://www.tmttlt.com/2006/11/26/library-as-cultural-memory/ All those topics that i wish i had time to pursue more earnestly. Fri, 05 Jun 2009 16:40:54 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Steven Chabot http://www.tmttlt.com/2006/11/26/library-as-cultural-memory/comment-page-1/#comment-158 Steven Chabot Mon, 27 Nov 2006 22:46:03 +0000 http://www.tmttlt.com/archives/2006/11/26/5162/#comment-158 I think we are in agreement--I didn't wish to imply that the Library was a perfect memory, or that things only moved one way. In fact, I wrote right after your citation: <blockquote>If the library is a memory, it functions like memory in its faults and in its benefits. It distorts, chooses to forget, blocks out, makes biased decisions. Things are shelved and often used, things are shelved and not found. And all these forgetting and blockages are powered by the history of the culture itself, its wars and its ideas, which leave its mark on memory.</blockquote> There are many problems with the library and I think that is what is so interesting about it. I think we are in agreement–I didn’t wish to imply that the Library was a perfect memory, or that things only moved one way. In fact, I wrote right after your citation:

If the library is a memory, it functions like memory in its faults and in its benefits. It distorts, chooses to forget, blocks out, makes biased decisions. Things are shelved and often used, things are shelved and not found. And all these forgetting and blockages are powered by the history of the culture itself, its wars and its ideas, which leave its mark on memory.

There are many problems with the library and I think that is what is so interesting about it.

]]>