Post-Apocalyptic Archives

The news on the environment keeps getting worse . Sometimes I brood over how this will affect archives. As a recent AP article points out, rising sea levels threaten historical places like Jamestown, Virginia and some NASA site in Florida, as well as less important locations such as Wall Street and Kennebunkport. i can't help but feel that as the water rises, archives, which are generally not ranked as high priorities even in the best of times, will be in danger of being swept to the wayside.

Perhaps archival fortresses where the records of various institutions can be held will become more prevalent. One such site, western Pennsylvania's Iron Mountain (which is actually more mine than mountain), was originally conceived as a refuge from atomic apocalypse for guys like this:


...but today serves the less cool but decidedly more practical role as archival repository for various corporate and governmental institutions. But, I think a more likely scenario is that, as the human race kicks into survival mode, the idea of maintaining, preserving, and making accessible records of enduring value will diminish.

Song (with a tenuous connection to archives) of the week

With its plaintive refrain "The CIA, only you know what you've done," this track by indie protest singer Ted Leo speaks to the need for the timely release of government records, so that public officials can be held accountable for their actions. Recommended for those who like their rock songs peppered with references to sound archival practices.


Download: Ted Leo - C.I.A.