Show Notes
How can we use CLIR's help to protect our cultural heritage during climate change? Could telling stories be a big help in keeping our culture alive? Why must we work together to fight climate change and save our heritage? And can technology bring together businesses and academics to help with this?
In this episode of This Anthro Life, we talk with Charles Henry, President of the Council on Library and Information Resources (CLIR), about protecting our cultural heritage during challenges like climate change. Charles explains how CLIR supports institutions with resources and funding to make their projects more impactful globally. We stress the importance of storytelling in preserving cultural memory and the need for cooperation to tackle climate change. We also discuss how competitive models between business and academia fall short and how digital technologies can help bridge these gaps.
We discuss the serious threat climate change poses to our cultural heritage, including both physical artifacts and traditions. We talk about how things like rising sea levels, droughts, fires, and other climate-related events endanger our cultural history. Additionally, we mention the importance of digital technologies like the International Image Interoperability Framework (IIIF) in creating a neutral platform for collaboration and knowledge exchange, which is crucial for safeguarding cultural heritage against climate-related risks.Join us for an engaging and thought-provoking conversation with Charles Henry as we delve into the crucial topic of preserving our cultural heritage in the face of climate change. Discover how organizations like CLIR are making a global impact by providing resources and funding. Explore the power of storytelling in safeguarding cultural memory and the importance of cooperation in tackling climate challenges
Timestamps:
02:05 - Charles' Journey into Libraries and Digital Information 08:36 - Making Rare Materials Accessible: The Digitizing Hidden Collections Project 11:43 - Preserving Audiovisual Materials at Risk 12:16 - Building Networks in the GLAM Community 16:27 - Challenges Facing Higher Education Institutions 19:56 - The Importance of Collaboration in Strategic Plans 21:41 - Climate Crisis Threats to Cultural Heritage 29:39 - The Power of Storytelling in Driving Change 37:53 - Introduction to the International Image Interoperability Framework (IIIF) 45:12 - Technology's Role in Preserving Cultural Heritage
Key Takeaways: Climate change can damage cultural stuff like old things and traditions because of floods and bad weather. The Council on Library and Information Resources helps libraries save old things by giving them money and support. Stories can bring people together, but the internet makes it hard for people to work together. The Digital Library of the Middle East is a good example of how the internet can save old stuff from dangerous places. Standards like the International Image Interoperability Framework help people share and learn about old things online.
About This Anthro Life: This Anthro Life is a thought-provoking podcast that explores the human side of technology, culture, and business. Hosted by Adam Gamwell, we unravel fascinating narratives and connect them to the wider context of our lives. Tune in to https://thisanthrolife.org and subscribe to our Substack at https://thisanthrolife.substack.com for more captivating episodes and engaging content.
Connect with Charles Henry: Website: https://www.clir.org/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charles-henry-7007048 Twitter: https://twitter.com/CLIRnews/
Connect with This Anthro Life: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisanthrolife/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thisanthrolife LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/this-anthro-life-podcast/ This Anthro Life website: https://www.thisanthrolife.org/ Substack blog: https://thisanthrolife.substack.com
About This Anthro Life: This Anthro Life is your podcast for thought
More from This Anthro Life
Drawing from our recent collaborative publication titled Ethnographic reporting meets engaged journalism and offers untapped resources in Facts and Frictions, Adam Gamwell and Emily Kennedy explore how journalism and anthropology have each undergone periods of reckoning—grappling with questions of representation, power, and the need to reimagine their relationships with the communities they study or report on. We'll reflect on surprising parallels in the histories of both fields, the resurgence of ethnographic methods in journalism, and the practical value of deep, community-driven research for newsrooms navigating turbulent social and technological change.
What if studying at UC Berkeley’s International House is more than just an experience—it’s a transformation? In this episode of This Anthro Life, host Adam Gamwell is joined by international students and experts to explore the deep cultural, social, and intellectual exchanges that happen inside the iconic I-House.
Are you curious about the incredible versatility of an anthropology degree? In this episode of This Anthro Life, host Adam Gamwell breaks down the many paths available to anthropologists beyond studying ancient cultures. From tech and healthcare to nonprofits, business, and even solving crimes, Adam explores how anthropology equips professionals to tackle real-world challenges. Discover how anthropologists use their unique skills to bridge cultural gaps, analyze human behavior, and create impactful solutions across industries. Whether you're considering a career in anthropology or simply intrigued by its applications in today's world, this episode will inspire you to see the value of understanding human connections in new ways. Tune in for a thought-provoking conversation about culture, careers, and the power of anthropology!
What if the future isn’t something we predict, but something we design? In this episode of This Anthro Life, host Adam Gamwell is joined by Carissa Carter and Scott Doorley to dive into the hidden forces shaping our world—from speculative fiction to emerging technologies and the ripple effects of design. They explore mammoth de-extinction, AI, and the unintended consequences of innovation, challenging us to rethink how we approach progress. How do the stories we tell influence what’s possible? What happens when corporations take on responsibilities once held by governments? And can we really predict the impact of new technology before it’s too late? This conversation is a must-listen for anyone curious about the future of design, technology, and society. Whether you’re a designer, thinker, or just fascinated by what’s next, this episode will change how you see the world—and your role in shaping it.
What if true healing and self-discovery required breaking the boundaries between science and spirituality? In this episode of This Anthro Life, host Adam Gamwell sits down with Austin Mao, a serial entrepreneur turned spiritual leader, to explore the transformative power of psychedelics, trauma healing, and personal enlightenment. Austin shares his profound journey—from tech entrepreneurship to founding Ceremonia, a modern sanctuary that blends ancient shamanic practices with cutting-edge neuroscience. Through experiences with ayahuasca and psilocybin, he uncovers how psychedelics can unlock repressed memories, heal trauma, and help individuals reconnect with their authentic selves. This conversation dives deep into the intersection of therapy, plant medicine, and human potential, revealing how psychedelics are being used by CEOs, veterans, and seekers alike to reshape their minds and lives. If you’re ready to challenge what you know about healing and consciousness, this episode is for you.