Some highlights from Smith (1999):
- digital is easily disseminated, reproductible, and manipulatable, taking away from the true authenticity of analog versions of things like books or records
- you cannot tell the difference between 100 digital copies of something, which puts the authenticity of the item into question
- we have to rely on the authenticity and integrity of the institution or provider of the digital file we are looking for
- people think digital storing lasts forever, but CDs, Floppy disks, and even USB sticks are now considered somewhat obsolete
- most modern form of digital preservation are cloud storage platforms, which require hardware and software to access
- still costs money to do (making the machines like scanners and printers, energy costs, etc. Kind of like an electric car)
- privacy and dealing with sensitive materials, access rights, etc. are complicated matters online
The Golden Record reminds me of my Spotify wrapped. If someone else were to listen to it, they could get an idea of who I am. The Golden Record is like a Spotify wrapped since the beginning of time and for all of the human race. Here were the 10 pieces that stuck out to me as I listened to the previews of them in the podcast:
- Brandenburg Concerto No. 2 in F Major, BWV 1047: I. Allego by Johann Sebastian Bach, Performed by Munich Bach Orchestra, Deutsche Grammophon
- I used to be in the band in high school, as well as a marching band in the cadet program, so I have a special place in my heart for classical and orchestral music
2. Cengunmé, Mahi musicians of Benin by Charles Duvelle
- I used to play percussion instruments and I loved how they were able to make a song out of a combination of different sounding beats
3. Alima Song by Mbuti of the Ituri Rainforest – Smithsonian Folkways
- Acapella songs require talented voices and it just sounded cool
4. El Cascabel by Lorenzo Barcelata, Performed by Antonio Maciel and Los Aguilillas with Mariachi México de Pepe Villa – Bicycle Music Company
- I love the vibe that mexican music gives off, usually upbeat and just makes you want to dance
5. Melancholy Blues by Louis Armstong and His Hot Seven – Columbia Records
- gives that classic vibe, like from fallout and bioshock video games
6. Symphony No.5 in C Minor, Opus 67: I. Allegro Con Brio by Ludwig Van Beethoven, Performed by London Philharmonia Orchestra – Warner Classics
- Epic, iconic. No other words needed
7. The Fairie Round by Anthony Holborne, Performed by Early Music Consort of London – Warner Music UK
- Liked the sound of it, felt light when listening to it
8. Liu Shui (Flowing Streams), Performed by Guan Pinghu – Smithsonian Folkways
- Oriental Asian music! Closest I’ll get to having music of my cultures (Filipino/Vietnamese) on the record
9. Dark Was the Night, Cold Was the Ground by Blind Willie Johnson – Legacy Recordings
- Encompasses the vibe of the probe traveling- lonely…
10. String Quartet No.13 in B-Flat Major, Opus 130: V. Cavatina by Ludwig Van Beethoven, Performed by Budapest String Quartet – Bridge Records
- More classical music!
I chose these songs because they sounded most like music to me, and what I resonated with when thinking about the human race. The other songs were obviously quite foreign to me as I was born and raised in Canada and western culture, so I left them out. Nonetheless, they were all great pieces and showed how truly diverse the human race is. All sent in an authentic, one-of-one record, no less.
References
Smith Rumsey, A. (1999, February). Why digitize? Council on Library and Information Resources. Retrieved August 12, 2022.