Databasing the World: Databasing the World: Biodiversity and the Biodiversity and the

2000s2000s

a book chapter of a book chapter of Memory Practices in the Memory Practices in the SciencesSciences by Geoffrey C. by Geoffrey C.

BowkerBowker

Main Points of the ReadingMain Points of the Reading

• Memory PracticesMemory Practices

• The Practice of Databasing the World:The Practice of Databasing the World:• InfrastructureInfrastructure• Data OwnershipData Ownership• Sharing DataSharing Data• International TechnoscienceInternational Technoscience• Collaborative WorksCollaborative Works• Accounting for LifeAccounting for Life

• ConclusionConclusion

Memory PracticeMemory Practice

• ““There is enormous power in being able to read There is enormous power in being able to read the past, to tell the generations” (Bowker the past, to tell the generations” (Bowker 1994), “and we are seeking to colonize the 1994), “and we are seeking to colonize the past just as we are seeking to colonize the past just as we are seeking to colonize the present” (Bowker 2005).present” (Bowker 2005).

• Derrida (1996) argues that in order for an Derrida (1996) argues that in order for an archive to exist it must be constructed to live in archive to exist it must be constructed to live in an external space, “there is no archive without an external space, “there is no archive without consignation in an external place which consignation in an external place which assures the possibility of memorization, of assures the possibility of memorization, of repetition, of reproduction, or of reimpression,” repetition, of reproduction, or of reimpression,”

Memory Practice (cont.)Memory Practice (cont.)

• Starting with the rise of statistics to the Starting with the rise of statistics to the present, memory practices have been present, memory practices have been organised on massive scales. organised on massive scales.

• memory practices are materially rampant, memory practices are materially rampant, invasive, implicated in the core of our being invasive, implicated in the core of our being and of our understanding the worldand of our understanding the world

• Examination of archival practices of scientistsExamination of archival practices of scientists

The Practice of Databasing the The Practice of Databasing the World (1)World (1)

Potential impacts of of new knowledge economy Potential impacts of of new knowledge economy on science and technology policyon science and technology policy

1.1. Building an infrastructureBuilding an infrastructure• The need of standardisation and classificationThe need of standardisation and classification• Working infrastructures standardize both people Working infrastructures standardize both people

and machines (e.g statistics)and machines (e.g statistics)• No guarantee that the best set of standards will No guarantee that the best set of standards will

win e.g. PC vs Mac, the QWERTY keyboard systemwin e.g. PC vs Mac, the QWERTY keyboard system• There is a continuum of strategies for standards There is a continuum of strategies for standards

setting e.g. Microsoft Windows XP/Vista, setting e.g. Microsoft Windows XP/Vista, ANSI/NISO Z39.50ANSI/NISO Z39.50

Building Infrastructure (cont.)Building Infrastructure (cont.)

• Interoperability is the keyInteroperability is the key

• Challenges on building infrastructure: Challenges on building infrastructure: 1.1. Work/ Human Resource e.g. microfiche in Work/ Human Resource e.g. microfiche in

librarylibrary

Challenges (cont.)Challenges (cont.)2. Stable technology2. Stable technology• Changes in database architecture, Changes in database architecture,

storage of capabilities of computers, and storage of capabilities of computers, and ingrained organisational practices.ingrained organisational practices.

• Infrastructure will require a continued Infrastructure will require a continued maintenance maintenance

3. Communication3. Communication• The problem of reliable metadata: require The problem of reliable metadata: require

different data from various scientific different data from various scientific disciplines, deciding how much information disciplines, deciding how much information that needed and useful for communitiesthat needed and useful for communities

2. Data Ownership2. Data Ownership

• Three main sets of issues of implementing Three main sets of issues of implementing information market:information market:• Control of knowledgeControl of knowledge• PrivacyPrivacy• Pattern of OwnershipPattern of Ownership

3. Sharing Data3. Sharing Data

• The database (the information stored) is seen The database (the information stored) is seen as an end in itself.as an end in itself.

• In this new and expanded process of scientific In this new and expanded process of scientific archiving, data must be reusable by scientists.archiving, data must be reusable by scientists.

• Data can be highly problematic since Data can be highly problematic since replacement theories do not automatically replacement theories do not automatically account for all the data held in the outgoing account for all the data held in the outgoing one. one.

• Information infrastructures such as databases Information infrastructures such as databases should be read both discursively and materially.should be read both discursively and materially.

Sharing Data (cont.)Sharing Data (cont.)

• Major difficulties with developing new Major difficulties with developing new scientific infrastructures using computers: scientific infrastructures using computers: scientist vs computer scientistscientist vs computer scientist

4. International Technoscience4. International Technoscience

• Everyone who has access may be equal Everyone who has access may be equal citizen, but those without access are left citizen, but those without access are left further out of the picture.further out of the picture.

• In fact, access is never really equal.In fact, access is never really equal.

• Second wave of colonialism.Second wave of colonialism.

• Gap between information access in different Gap between information access in different regions.regions.

5. Collaborative Work5. Collaborative Work

• Collective or individual work?Collective or individual work?

• Journal articles as medium for the Journal articles as medium for the dissemination and exchange of scientific dissemination and exchange of scientific ideas.ideas.

• Standards and protocols.Standards and protocols.

6. Accounting for Life6. Accounting for Life

• Database technology has changed the ways Database technology has changed the ways in which classifications can be developed.in which classifications can be developed.

• A case of A case of CladisticsCladistics

ConclusionConclusion

• Today’s technology leads to collaboration in Today’s technology leads to collaboration in science, to information sharing and science, to information sharing and information access beyond anything information access beyond anything previously available. The database becomes previously available. The database becomes memory in an analogic way to the rock strata memory in an analogic way to the rock strata becoming memory. becoming memory.

• An ecology of technological memory practices An ecology of technological memory practices within the historical sciences is a key site for within the historical sciences is a key site for understanding their framing of the past.understanding their framing of the past.