librarian.net » digitaldarkages http://www.librarian.net putting the rarin back in librarian since 1999 Fri, 10 Feb 2012 04:37:42 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 the digital dark ages? machines of loving grace? http://www.librarian.net/stax/2173/the-digital-dark-ages-machines-of-loving-grace/ http://www.librarian.net/stax/2173/the-digital-dark-ages-machines-of-loving-grace/#comments Sat, 20 Oct 2007 16:36:07 +0000 jessamyn http://www.librarian.net/stax/2173/the-digital-dark-ages-machines-of-loving-grace/ While I find that using my computer for more of my communication and cultural creations works for me, it’s more of a concern when we think of this as the model for large-scale cultural products. The National Library of Australia tells us/warns us that cultural production in Australia is predominantly in digital form. They’ve made a bold statement about the role of the library in maintaining and preserving these cultural products. It’s a strong but hopeful almost-manifesto ending with Investing in Australia’s digital heritage is an investment for the future. Well done. With that said, here’s a poem I’ve always liked from Richard Brautigan. [thanks gwyn]

All Watched Over by Machines of Loving Grace

I like to think (and
the sooner the better!)
of a cybernetic meadow
where mammals and computers
live together in mutually
programming harmony
like pure water
touching clear sky.

I like to think
(right now, please!)
of a cybernetic forest
filled with pines and electronics
where deer stroll peacefully
past computers
as if they were flowers
with spinning blossoms.

I like to think
(it has to be!)
of a cybernetic ecology
where we are free of our labors
and joined back to nature,
returned to our mammal
brothers and sisters,
and all watched over
by machines of loving grace.

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