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From Parchment to Dust: The Enduring Legacy of Paper and the Rise of Digital Preservation

Sam Carter

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Published in From Parchment To Dust: The Case For Constitutional Skepticism

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Paper has been an essential medium for recording and preserving information for centuries. From the ancient Egyptians' papyrus scrolls to the medieval monks' illuminated manuscripts, paper has played a vital role in the development of human civilization.

From Parchment to Dust: The Case for Constitutional Skepticism

by Louis Michael Seidman

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However, paper is not an eternally durable material. Over time, paper can become brittle, yellowed, and torn. It can be damaged by fire, water, and insects. And as our climate changes, paper is becoming increasingly vulnerable to extreme weather events.

The rise of digital technology has created new challenges for the preservation of paper-based documents. On the one hand, digital technology makes it possible to create and store copies of documents that are more durable than the originals. On the other hand, digital technology can also create new risks for the loss of information. For example, digital files can be accidentally deleted or corrupted. They can also be vulnerable to hacking and viruses.

The challenges of digital preservation are compounded by the fact that we are creating more and more digital information than ever before. According to the International Data Corporation, the global digital universe will grow to 163 zettabytes by 2025. That's equivalent to 163 trillion gigabytes of data!

How can we ensure that this vast amount of digital information is preserved for future generations? The solution lies in a combination of traditional and digital preservation strategies.

Traditional preservation strategies involve the careful storage and handling of paper-based documents. This includes storing documents in climate-controlled environments, using archival-quality materials, and providing regular maintenance.

Digital preservation strategies involve the creation and storage of digital copies of paper-based documents. This can be done through scanning or photocopying. Digital copies can then be stored on a variety of media, such as hard drives, optical discs, and cloud storage.

The best way to ensure the long-term preservation of information is to use a combination of traditional and digital preservation strategies. This approach provides redundancy and resilience, and it helps to mitigate the risks associated with both physical and digital degradation.

The preservation of paper-based and digital information is a critical challenge for our time. By working together, we can create a more sustainable and durable future for our cultural heritage.