Mark Graham

Addie Robertson is a Senior Editor at The Verge, and Mark Graham is the Director of the Wayback Machine at the Internet Archive. They dive into the critical issue of digital decay and link rot, exploring how government actions can erase important online information. Discussions reveal the challenges faced by archivists in preserving digital history, the vital role of the Wayback Machine, and the societal implications of losing access to foundational data. They highlight the fragility of web resources and the urgent need for reliable archives in an evolving digital landscape.

Mark Graham, director of the Wayback Machine at the Internet Archive, joins the discussion about the critical issue of link rot and the ongoing effort to preserve internet history. He explains how the Wayback Machine allows users to view snapshots of past websites, combating the loss of digital content. The conversation dives into the challenges of archiving a rapidly changing web landscape, including the impact of closed platforms on access to information and the emotional weight of preserving our online cultural legacy.

Mark Graham, a veteran of the U.S. Air Force and a key figure at the Internet Archive, shares his insights on the vital mission of preserving our digital history. He discusses the challenges of archiving, including the need to emulate obsolete technologies like Flash. Graham highlights the Internet Archive's unique collections, such as Grateful Dead recordings, showcasing how they foster community. He also addresses the potential of AI in archival work and the importance of maintaining context in preserving digital legacies for future generations.