Digital Humanities is an extension of traditional knowledge skills and methods, not a replacement for them.
Burdick et al. “One: From Humanities to Digital Humanities,” in Digital_Humanities (Cambridge, MA: MIT Press, 2012), 3.
I think there is a pattern throughout history where older generations tend to look down on the ways younger generations use new technology. When a new form of technology becomes popular, it is often seen as less meaningful or less valuable than the activities that came before it. For example, when I tell people that I enjoy gaming and want to create games for a living, I often get the impression that they see it as a waste of time or as something that does not contribute much to society. To me, that perspective comes from viewing technology as entertainment rather than as a tool for creativity, communication, learning, and cultural expression.
This quote is important because it challenges the idea that digital activities are somehow separate from or inferior to traditional forms of knowledge. Digital Humanities does not argue that technology should replace traditional methods. Instead, it shows how technology can build on what we already know and create new ways to explore and express ideas. I see game development the same way. Creating a game still requires many traditional skills, including writing, storytelling, art, problem-solving, research, design, and communication. The difference is that these skills are being combined through a digital medium. Games can communicate stories, explore historical events, represent different cultures, and allow people to interact with ideas in ways that other forms of media cannot.
Older generations have often valued activities based on more traditional ideas of productivity, such as having a conventional career or producing something that has an obvious practical purpose. However, culture and technology change what society considers valuable. Books, film, photography, and even television have all been criticized at different points for being forms of entertainment rather than serious intellectual or productive activities. Over time, many of these mediums became recognized as legitimate forms of art and cultural expression. I think gaming is going through a similar process.
Throughout this term, I look forward to building the skills I plan to use to expand on concepts and projects I’ve already started on. I’m very excited to learn more about and play with Fusion 360 and other software. The 3D aspect, and creation of assets in general has been a daunting task that I’ve been avoiding, hopefully getting some experience with some useful tools will help me get that ball rolling!