library skillz
Reference is a big part of library science. My class on Information Access is essentially a class on reference, which is cool. I see reference as an essential skills to have in my goal of eventually knowing the right answer.
Librarians use their reference skills to help you find the right tax form, the article on Edward Said that you need for that paper due tomorrow, the copy of "Are You There God, It's Me Margaret" at another branch of the library, the House of Representatives bill making jazz the official music of the United States, and even a psychologist specializing in Cognitive Behavior Therapy and Multiple Personality Disorder.
But what if I used my library skills for EVIL?
It's a tempting thought. I would mostly use my skills to spy on people and get every possible detail on them. Oh if I only had the ability now... I often wish I could access your email, employment history, grocery list, anything. Social security numbers are of no interest to me. I want to see those photographs you took with your ex that you are sure she got rid off in the past few years. I want to find a picture of that guy you dated for 2 and a half weeks in the 11th grade. Then I want to find out the names of his kids.
What will I do with this seemingly useless information? I will horde it like a hamster stuffing his cheeks full of pellets. I will pile them high in the shopping cart that is my brain. One day, I will confront you, slowly hobbling out of a shadowy corner of your room. I will show you that long lost piece of information. Evidence of a moment long forgotten! And you will not care, because it bears no consequence on your life. Today. Or tomorrow. Also not the day after. But I will wait, biding my time and cataloging information using DACS (Describing Archives, a Content Standard) to make each bit of information accessible at the swift stroke of my finger.
I shall be the Evil Queen of Archival Reference.
Librarians use their reference skills to help you find the right tax form, the article on Edward Said that you need for that paper due tomorrow, the copy of "Are You There God, It's Me Margaret" at another branch of the library, the House of Representatives bill making jazz the official music of the United States, and even a psychologist specializing in Cognitive Behavior Therapy and Multiple Personality Disorder.
But what if I used my library skills for EVIL?
It's a tempting thought. I would mostly use my skills to spy on people and get every possible detail on them. Oh if I only had the ability now... I often wish I could access your email, employment history, grocery list, anything. Social security numbers are of no interest to me. I want to see those photographs you took with your ex that you are sure she got rid off in the past few years. I want to find a picture of that guy you dated for 2 and a half weeks in the 11th grade. Then I want to find out the names of his kids.
What will I do with this seemingly useless information? I will horde it like a hamster stuffing his cheeks full of pellets. I will pile them high in the shopping cart that is my brain. One day, I will confront you, slowly hobbling out of a shadowy corner of your room. I will show you that long lost piece of information. Evidence of a moment long forgotten! And you will not care, because it bears no consequence on your life. Today. Or tomorrow. Also not the day after. But I will wait, biding my time and cataloging information using DACS (Describing Archives, a Content Standard) to make each bit of information accessible at the swift stroke of my finger.
I shall be the Evil Queen of Archival Reference.