Thinking Activity- Digital Humanities

This  blog is written as response to the thinking activity given by Dr. Dilip Barad sir on the topic of Digital Humanities at the Department of English, MKBU.

Digital humanities

Digital humanities is a dynamic and interdisciplinary field that harnesses the potential of digital tools across various humanities disciplines. Despite its immense impact, some find the term "Digital Humanities" confusing, as the word "Digital" may not seem immediately compatible with "Humanities." To better understand this concept, let's explore an analogy with another term that shares a similar perplexity: "Computer ethics."

In my B.A. Program, I encountered the term "Computer ethics," which combines "computer" and "ethics." At first glance, one might question the connection between ethics and computers. However, "ethics" fundamentally relates to human behavior, distinguishing between "good" and "bad" actions. As computers became pervasive in society, questions arose about their ethical use, leading to the term "Computer ethics."

Similarly, the digital world profoundly influences our daily lives, with increasing reliance on digital tools and information sources. This reliance gradually extends its impact on the humanities, offering new avenues for exploration. The growth of digital technologies has significantly contributed to the development of humanities, culminating in the emergence of Digital Humanities.

In this context, Digital Humanities represents a collaborative and innovative approach, where scholars leverage digital technologies to delve into cultural, historical, and societal aspects. By integrating digital methodologies and computational tools, researchers can analyze vast datasets of texts, images, and other artifacts, gaining novel insights into the human experience.

The interconnectedness of the digital world with our lives has facilitated an enhanced exploration of humanities. Digital Humanities enables researchers to create interactive digital archives, analyze texts on a large scale, visualize complex information, and engage in collaborative research across diverse disciplines.

Now lets get common introduction of Digital Humaniteis from A I tool ChatGPT,

Introduction to Digital Humanities:

Digital Humanities (DH) is an innovative and interdisciplinary field that lies at the intersection of traditional humanities disciplines and cutting-edge digital technologies. It seeks to harness the power of computational tools, data analysis, and digital methodologies to explore, analyze, and interpret various aspects of human culture, history, literature, language, and society.

Unlike traditional humanities, which rely on manual research methods, Digital Humanities leverages the vast capabilities of computers to process and analyze large datasets that would be impractical or impossible to manage manually. By combining the expertise of humanities scholars with the computational prowess of technology, DH aims to unlock new insights and understandings of cultural artifacts, historical events, and the human experience.

The field of Digital Humanities encompasses a wide range of research areas and projects. Scholars and practitioners in DH use diverse computational techniques, such as data mining, text analysis, natural language processing, machine learning, spatial analysis, and data visualization. These methodologies empower researchers to reveal patterns, trends, and connections within vast collections of texts, images, audio, and other digital sources.

Digital Humanities projects can take many forms, from creating interactive digital archives and virtual museums to developing innovative tools for text analysis and linguistic studies. Collaborative efforts between researchers from different disciplines are common, fostering a rich exchange of ideas and methodologies.

The significance of Digital Humanities extends beyond academia, as it plays a vital role in preserving and making cultural heritage accessible to a broader audience. By digitizing and curating historical documents, artworks, and artifacts, DH projects contribute to the democratization of knowledge and promote public engagement with the past and the diverse cultural expressions of humanity.

As technology continues to advance, the field of Digital Humanities will undoubtedly evolve, leading to new research opportunities and innovative ways to explore and understand the multifaceted nature of human culture and history. Through its integration of humanistic inquiry and digital innovation, Digital Humanities stands as a transformative force, enriching our comprehension of the past and shaping the way we approach the future.

(OpenAI. "Introduction to Digital Humanities." OpenAI, 18 July 2023, https://www.openai.com.)

What is done under the Digital Humanities? Exploring Several projects of DH.

1 Digital archive

2 computational Humanities 

3 Multimodal critique

Digital Archive:

Digital archives are an essential component of Digital Humanities. They involve the digitization and preservation of historical documents, artifacts, cultural objects, and other forms of human expression. By converting physical materials into digital formats, researchers and institutions can make these resources more accessible to a broader audience, including scholars, students, and the general public.

Computational Humanities:

Computational Humanities refers to the application of computational methods and techniques to various aspects of humanities research. It involves the use of computer-based tools and algorithms to process, analyze, and visualize large datasets, enabling researchers to uncover insights and patterns that would be challenging or time-consuming to achieve manually.

Multimodal Critique:

Multimodal critique in Digital Humanities involves the analysis and interpretation of digital artifacts, texts, or cultural expressions that combine different modes of communication, such as text, images, videos, audio, and interactive elements. This approach recognizes that meaning can be conveyed and interpreted through multiple channels, and understanding the interplay between these modes is crucial for a comprehensive analysis.

Some projects of DH

 Project CLiC – Corpus Linguistics in Context by University of Birmingham.

Internet Archive

The Victorian Web

Dante Gabriel Rossetti

a hypermedia archive

Google Arts and Culture

DARTH (Digital Arts + Humanities)

Valmiki Ramayana - IIT Kanpur

Photography Workshop Imagination: An Art of Seeing

This blog puts light on the photography workshop organized by the Department of English, MKBU on 17th August 2023 where the expert and experienced Wildlife photographer Mr. Kaushik Ghelani sir gave great insight as well great guidance to the students.

 In the world of art, when we swap canvas for a camera lens, photography becomes more than just a way to document. It turns into a detailed art that doesn't just freeze moments, but also holds stories, feelings, and the very core of being human.

The workshop was entitled Imagination: An Art of Seeing, in this workshop the aim was not just to understand the technicality of the art of photography but to understand the art of storytelling through one’s photography.

The workshop was in two parts as one was dealing with the instruction of the expert and the theory which gave explanation to the storytelling through photography. In the second part it was a student's chance where they had to showcase their understanding through their captured photographs.

During the photography workshop by Mr. Kaushik Ghelani sir, various techniques come to light, elevating a simple click into a tale of artistry. This journey explores light, shadow, composition, and focus – the tools a photographer employs to tell stories visually.

Some of the techniques discussed in the workshop are

• Rule of Thirds: This is a fundamental guideline that divides your frame into nine equal parts using two horizontal and two vertical lines. The points where these lines intersect are the "golden points." Placing key elements along these lines or at their intersections creates balance and draws the viewer's eye, making your composition more dynamic.

• Golden Point: Also known as the "golden ratio" or "Fibonacci spiral," this principle involves positioning your main subject or focal point at a specific point within the frame. This point has a natural aesthetic appeal and helps in creating a harmonious composition that's pleasing to the eye.

• Center Focus Rule: Placing your subject right in the center of the frame can work well in certain situations. It creates a sense of symmetry and can be particularly effective when you want to draw direct attention to your subject.

• Symmetry: Symmetry is visually satisfying, and it involves aligning elements in your photograph to create a sense of balance. Perfectly mirrored scenes or subjects positioned symmetrically can evoke a feeling of order and harmony.

• Geometrical Shapes: Incorporating geometric shapes such as lines, triangles, circles, and rectangles can add structure and interest to your composition. These shapes guide the viewer's eye and provide a sense of orderliness.

• Leading Lines: Lines within a photograph can lead the viewer's gaze, guiding them through the image. Utilizing natural or man-made lines like roads, rivers, or fences can add depth and help tell a visual story.

• Head/Leading Room: When photographing subjects in motion or facing a particular direction, it's essential to provide space in the direction they're moving or looking. This gives a sense of movement and prevents the image from feeling cramped.

• Depth of Field: The depth of field refers to the range of distance within the image that appears in focus. Controlling this can emphasize your subject by blurring the background (shallow depth of field) or capture a broader scene (deep depth of field).

Each of these principles has its own unique impact on composition, storytelling, and visual aesthetics. While they provide valuable guidelines, remember that breaking these rules can also lead to creative and striking photographs. Mastery of these concepts allows photographers to effectively communicate their intended messages and emotions through their images.

Photography and Storytelling

Photography, however, extends past technique. It becomes intertwined with events, embedding itself in historical records. A photograph seizes time, preserving the vibrancy of a fleeting moment, a testament seen at weddings, graduations, and celebrations, as well as during challenging times and reflective instants.

In the frame of a photograph, emotions find their place. A child's smile, the tears of parting, a solitary figure against a captivating backdrop – all captured, poised to stir feelings in its viewers. The photographer's lens seems to grasp not only light but the very essence of its subject.

One of the fine examples of this that sir could give was the famous photo The Vulture and the Little Girl, also known as The Struggling Girl, is a photograph by Kevin Carter and the tragic story behind it.

Photography's enchantment lies in merging reality with imagination. With each snap, a photographer weaves a narrative that may depart from tangible reality. It's a dance between sight and emotion, a symphony of creativity inviting us to explore endless possibilities.

A photograph is more than an image; it's a storyteller's relic. It carries whispers of the past, the energy of the present, and the promises of the future. In a skilled photographer's hands, it transforms into a gateway offering fresh perspectives. This encapsulates a universe of emotions, experiences, and dreams beyond captured instants.

In the second session students showcased their photos and got their reward from the expert Mr. Kaushik Ghelani.

At the end of the workshop, in the concluding session I got chance to give book as gratitude to the expert Mr. Kaushik Ghelani sir on behalf of the Department of English.

Derida and Deconstruction - Thinking Activity

This blog is written in response to the thinking activity given on the 'Deconstruction theory of Derida' by Prof. Dilip Barad Sir at the Department of English, MKBU.

What is Deconstruction?

Deconstruction is a philosophical method developed by Jacques Derrida that seeks to challenge the assumptions underlying texts and other forms of discourse. Derrida argued that all texts are inherently unstable and contradictory, and that they can be deconstructed to reveal the hidden power relations and hierarchies that they contain.

One of the key concepts in deconstruction is the binary opposition. A binary opposition is a pair of terms that are seen as opposites, such as good and evil, man and woman, speech and writing, presence and absence. Derrida argued that binary oppositions are never truly equal, but that one term is always privileged over the other. For example, in the binary opposition of man and woman, the term "man" is typically privileged over the term "woman."

Deconstruction seeks to disrupt the hierarchical relationship between the two terms in a binary opposition. This can be done by showing how the two terms are interdependent, or how they rely on each other for their meaning. For example, the meaning of the term "man" cannot be fully understood without the term "woman," and vice versa.

Deconstruction can also be used to show how the privileged term in a binary opposition is often based on a false or arbitrary distinction. For example, the distinction between speech and writing is often seen as a natural one, but Derrida argues that it is actually a social construct. The privileging of speech over writing can be seen as a way of marginalizing certain groups of people, such as women and non-Western cultures, who have traditionally been associated with writing.

Deconstruction is a complex and challenging method, but it can be a powerful tool for revealing the hidden assumptions and biases that underlie texts and other forms of discourse. It can also be used to open up new possibilities for meaning and interpretation.

Deconstruction has been influential in a variety of fields, including philosophy, literature, law, and cultural studies. It has been used to analyze texts from a variety of cultures and periods, and it has been used to challenge a wide range of assumptions, including the idea of a stable and objective truth.

 Deconstructing the TV ad of Idea 3G

The ad is showing the increasing population of Indians and it is very shameful. The reason behind it is that when the lights are cut off and the TV can not be watched the men go to their wives as they do not get enough entertainment. This imposes that men only think of their wives when they are short of entertainment. So, basically they are the most available of all things. It also showcases that most of the birth of children are unplanned and unwanted and it can create problems in the lives of parents and children in near future. Secondly if we see then it also shows that nobody is working on anything as they all need is just entertainment, it also implies that the Indian people are very free or we have time to waste as most of the men are shown without any work or worries rather than TV and their Wives. So, we can say that we have an increasing population but not enough economical support for that. It also means that most of the men are without any proper financial security just fulfilling their desires. The main focus of the ad is the network of Idea 3G as it provides the best internet network, so when you have a fully charged mobile phone you do not have to worry about light cutoffs and just enjoy the internet. It will divert the mind of men from their wives to the 3G internet. This does not guarantee the fulfilment of wives. The unwanted births are stopped thanks to the Idea 3G but does that mean that it also helps to increase the economic position of the family? Does it solve the problems of the people who already have unwanted children? It does not do anything more than give new addiction to people and make them away from the real issues of their lives. The Ad shows that now wives give away smartphones rather than themselves to their husbands, it is a thing of pride not to have another baby now and they feel that they have contributed to the country, nobody goes to do vasectomy as the mobile phone is their ultimate option. But the ultimate question is that in the land where there are often light cutoffs, less job opportunities, backward society and lower economical position, it is affordable to the common people to use the internet. In a country where 60 % of the population is in rural areas, does the internet have the power to put a stop on the increase of population, i don’t think so.