Timeless Archives on the Preservation of Memories and Culture

Abstract

The introduction of social media in recent years has prompted increased digital photography and communication through various applications, though the extent to which these social media platforms encourage the preservation of documented media remains obscure. Previous research has established that digital social media archives can store memories that people have captured and allows for convenient reminiscence. Additionally, the ease of communication brought about through social media is believed to further enhance the preservation of memories as it is shared and engrained in people. However, digitization has resulted in less time spent making physical memories due to isolation and anxiety induced by excessive social media use. Furthermore, the aforementioned assumptions fail to account for better methods of preservation, notably physical objects. The physical properties of tangible artifacts such as framed photos, as per empirical evidence, are proven to enhance memory formation and familiarity. However, considering that physical artifacts have fallen out of favor as digitization reduces their usage, incorporating the semi-permanence of tangible objects into digital archives, which are favored by most, would promote the positives of both in preserving memories accurately and indelibly.