I was amazed this week by the vast and seemingly unlimited opportunities social media can offer in respect to digital history projects. Many of the mobile applications explained in “7 Ways Mobile Apps are Enriching Historical Tourism” were ingenious in their ability to have dually tapped into the ever growing tech-savvy population and possess intriguing topics/content. As I was reading and exploring I could not help but ponder where they might be limited. I realized one limitation (in my opinion) when watching the video add for the Walking Cinema: Murder on Beacon Hill. As the heavy-eye-liner actress decides to go on the walking tour she is connected to her iPod the entire time. You don’t see her at any point in time communicate with another human being. Similarly, many of the app reviews (for all 7 apps) cite that it behooves the traveler to use the $2.99 app rather than bother with a guide or large groups. Reviews also cite you can set your own pace, take unlimited potty-breaks, and stop for shopping or lunch whenever it so pleases you. But my question is who are you meeting on this tour when you are by yourself, or perhaps, at best, with friends/family you already know? Some of the most enriching moments of historical exploration or travel are when you can share experiences with a total stranger. (This is probably why I found “Ourkive” amazing.)
Ironically, the Murder on Beacon Hill review reveals the app “can encourage you to see things and meet people you wouldn’t normally see or meet.” I would be interested to know how they went about this because
- Heavy-eye-liner actress doesn’t seem to meet anyone. And
- As my group and I develop our own mobile history project this will be an issue to address.
My point is while mobile applications are without a doubt the new wave of public history, I think these apps need to make a conscious effort to incorporate a human element. In a society that is all about facebook posts, text messages and crunk badges, actually speaking, face to face to an actual human is important.