Future Knowledge Averting the Digital Dark Age
Jul 16, 2025
Brewster Kahle, founder of the Internet Archive, and Ian Milligan, a history professor and author, dive into the urgent need for preserving digital content. They discuss the evolution of the internet, from open access to corporate control, and the crucial role of digital librarians in maintaining historical records. The conversation highlights Canada's potential in leading internet preservation and AI development. They also explore decentralized technologies as a means to create a more inclusive digital space, emphasizing the importance of accessibility for marginalized voices.
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Evolution of the Internet
- The internet has undergone fundamental changes every five to ten years since its inception.
- Early web was open and collaborative, but now faces challenges from corporate consolidation and walled gardens.
Archivists' Digital Challenge
- Archivists must balance preserving physical and digital materials while collaborating globally.
- The future of history research lies increasingly in digital archives shaped by the web and networks.
Trust is Internet's Foundation
- Early internet's foundation was trust and openness which enabled sharing and collaboration.
- Losing this trust leads to contracted information ecosystems and reduced knowledge sharing.
