THE HUMAN CODEX

In 2015, we began our journey to create what we now call The Human Codex (THC) -- an online digital storage and storytelling platform that extends the reach and benefits of the age-old practice of preparing time capsules. In the past, this involved having communities or individuals lock away tangible items about their lives and times in hopes that somewhere down the road these reminders would provide evidence of how the past has influenced and improved the future. We believe that participatory a... nd interactive technologies offer many of the same benefits for people who are particularly interested in making sure that the details of their existence (and experiences) are preserved for eternity. To make sure this is true, we developed THC to allow participants to upload and retain the specifics that they believe are important and then open or share those elements of their story down the road when facts matter. Given this potential, we have heard regularly from allies and volunteers alike that they believe THC is a natural companion for reshaping the nature of journalism in the future -- both conventional and citizen journalism. What will be retained in the digital preservation spaces that our users create will be their version of who they are, what they did, and how the pieces fit together.More