John Schoeberlein

Implications of the New Information Technologies for the Conceptualization of Central Asian History

Central Asian history has always been relatively marginal in the European historiographical tradition. Since the time when modern history writing came into its own, Central Asia has been a region commanding only a very small amount of mainstream scholarly attention. The field remains marginal, yet the dynamics of marginality have changed completely. It is now possible, via the Internet, to create scholarly communities over great distances. The information web covering this region is potentially continuous in contrast to previous times when international boundaries, linguistic barriers, and isolated scholarly communities resulted in a patchwork of disconnected historiographical traditions. In addition, a much broader range of individuals of differing backgrounds and "scholarly credentials" participate in the writing of history via the new media. And the new media allow for communication of much "rawer" versions of history, with less well-defined mechanisms for scholarly and political control of the content. Furthermore, the uni-linear narrative structure of historical writing is challenged by the simultaneity of alternative perspectives participating in a common discourse, and by the multi-linear character of the modes of presentation which new technologies make possible.

This paper examines the ways historical discourse has changed due to the new forums and media in which it occurs. In the Central Asian context, it will consider whether content and structure have changed, addressing such questions as: Whether the electronic media's "democratization" of discourse results in de-politicization, or the reverse; whether the media have enabled multi-linear conceptualization of Central Asia's extremely multi-linear historical processes, or conversely have furthered simplified and superficial approaches; whether the possibility of an international community of scholarship and network of knowledge have led to a healthier exchange of ideas and information, or are substituting scholarship with something that is much more diffuse and lacking in intellectual standards.