Digital Anthropology

The discipline of anthropology, as described by American Anthropological Association is a study of humans both past and present. The area of study can be broken down into four sub-disciplines which include many areas of human life and culture. However, with rise of computer technology in last two decades, anthropologist Dr. Heather Horst looks at how the digital culture impact the human world and becoming its own area of study under the umbrella of anthropology. However, how does one define the term digital? What does it encompass?


In her book Digital Anthropology, Horst attempts lay a base for the sub-discipline using six principles. Horst used the term binary to express the digital. Although, binary may seem a bit general, it is a very loaded term. Binary is a word that can molded in many different ways because it can be both very simple and complex.To be able to reduce the digital to binary code is within the ability of humans, as is the ability to make it multifaceted. Thus, the term binary allows one to look at the history of human connection with the digital. The first principle in sub-discipline of digital anthropology is the, "digital intensifies the dialectical nature of culture". This relationship can be found between money and the digital. When it comes to the digital world, it does not work against monetary value but is intertwined with it. Money and the digital have a "dependent" relationship. The digital world exhibits many of the same patterns as money but, whether the relationship carries a negative or a positive connotation is completely reliant on the situation. For example, money could be controllable and easier to access for all types of people as the process of handling becomes more  "efficient" and "cheaper". However, money is also a huge part of material culture where massive over consumption by people has gone over their capacities. The digital create a space for one to express the ideas however, some of those ideas can be radical, insane, or dangerous. This small example demonstrates how digital although helpful can have a negative impact similarly to money. 

The second principle of digital anthropology is how the sub-discipline develops and allows one to understand the life before the digital culture. However, this fails when one begins to a idealize that culture ultimately leading to a "false authenticity".  There is belief that the digital world is somehow an unnatural way of communication where as real world interactions are more viable or "authentic". Horst discusses different views citing fellow anthropologists such as Sherry Turkle. She states that within the media there exists this understanding that the digital world is inhibiting us in some shape or form, thereby leaving many reminiscent of authentic human interaction. That is they importance of digital anthropology, it demonstrates how the non-digital can have "mediated and framed nature". However, by the doing this the sub-discipline can make the digital world seem "unmediated and unframed".

The third principle is about the "commitment to holism" while the fourth principle in digital anthropology discusses the importance of cultural relativism. Horst explains that the "commitment to holism" is a principle that shows how interconnected the digital world. Many may think that the digital world is vast with many different territories. However, the principle holism explains how although the terrain may different, the exist under the realm of digital culture. The fourth principle promotes that importance of studying and understanding how the digital can impact places differently depending on their culture. Although, anthropology is a discipline that applies the use of relativism in its studies and research, Horst mentions how this is rather a goal of the discipline in its hopes to implement relativism, but it is not necessarily a reality.

The fifth principle of digital anthropology is how the increase of the digital created exposed people to many things thus, leading to an increase in both openness and closure. Although, this principle is a contradiction, it shows a sort of cause and effect relationship. For example, internet is endorsed as something that is limitless and without restraint. However, there always regulations in place and some websites are locked in order to protect privacy. Therefore, showing that although the digital world is easily accessible and convenient, it still comes with a new of sense awareness. 

The final principle discusses materiality of the digital world. The digital culture is no more or no less material then any other culture. Material culture is the way humans interact and a way of socializing, making the digital world similar to other forms of material culture. In  her book Digital Anthropology, Horst attempts to make one understand the importance of digital studies as an anthropological sub-discipline. The six principles presented within this demonstrates the importance of the sub-discipline and why its many factors are essential to understand.