I would like to share with you a very fascinating blog post that has been on my bookmarks for a while. The post is entitled “Data narratives and structural histories: Melville, Maury, and American Whaling”1 and the author demonstrates the potential of combining whaling logbooks with digital visualisation tools and techniques to map and reconstruct the itineraries and journeys of whaling voyages.
Data visualisations transcend the realm of mere graphs and charts; they manifest as narratives in their own right. They have the extraordinary ability to offer interpretation without imposing it, allowing us to uncover hidden insights that might otherwise elude our perception. Like a compelling story, a skilfully crafted data visualisation has the ability to breathe life into mundane information, transforming it into a compelling narrative. Historians in particular are drawn to the allure of data visualisation because of its remarkable ability to make historical structures instantly accessible, much as narrative illuminates individual stories.
In a gripping exploration, the author delves into the meticulously digitised ship logs of climatologists, focusing intently on the voyages of American ships in global waters. Through the lens of visualisation, the intricate patterns and routes traced by these ships reveal compelling stories waiting to be told.While historians typically weave narratives around individual protagonists, unravelling systemic narratives proves to be a formidable undertaking. Nevertheless, data visualisation is emerging as a powerful tool that enables historians to effectively communicate these broader narratives that have indelibly shaped history.The art of historical storytelling often falls into the trap of cliché, where well-worn narratives are told over and over again.Data visualisations, however, have the inherent potential to breathe new life into history, offering fresh perspectives and captivating audiences seeking a deeper understanding of systemic processes beyond the confines of individual accounts.
Traditionally, the crafting of narratives that encompass systemic sagas has been challenging, but data visualisations offer an innovative remedy.While their integration into arguments may involve greater complexity than traditional prose, these visualisations serve as gateways to alternative insights that enrich our understanding. A thought-provoking example is the contrast between a video depicting European shipping patterns, suggesting the beginnings of globalisation, and a more complex visualisation depicting the intricate routes of American ships.
Delving deep into history, the author examines ship logs from 1785 to 1860, with a focus on whaling voyages.
Through visualisation, the migratory patterns of these ships through the seasons come to life, revealing shifts and movements that tell their own stories.Whaling emerges as an extraordinary industry that challenges conventional narratives of systemic interconnectedness, instead offering a glimpse into a world characterised by resource depletion, labour struggles and industrial dynamics.
The compelling choreography of whaling voyages stands in stark contrast to the linear trajectories of commercial shipping routes. Unlike the straightforward trajectories of conventional trade, whaling ships congregate around specific regions and embark on methodical journeys intertwined with the ebb and flow of natural cycles.The industrial essence of whaling narratives dares to challenge the dominance of network-centric narratives.Derived from ship logs and transformed into vivid visualisations, the data provides fertile ground for narratives to flourish.Whaling emerges as a saga of industrial exploitation, resource depletion and the relentless pursuit of a precious resource.The visualisations paint a vivid tableau of ships caught up in predatory behaviour, scouring the seas until the once teeming hunting grounds are left barren.
Remarkably, while whaling did not lead to the demise of whales, it did present its own formidable challenges.
Visualising these data opens a window into the systemic actions that drive resource depletion. The behaviours that trigger such depletion become visible, paving the way for mapping and understanding aggregate behaviour. Harnessing the power of data is imperative for humanists seeking to fathom collective action, thereby expanding the narrative framework beyond stories fixated on individuals.
- http://sappingattention.blogspot.com/2012/10/data-narratives-and-structural.html [Last accessed: 10.07.2024] [↩]