On Vox: Why the BBC is important..

So I was chatting with a new chap at the BBC, where I'm working currently and we got onto the subject of metadata, the BBC, it's archive and why it is important. Upon reflection, I said the following to him:

"In 100 years when people want to know what media, particularly television was like in the latter 20th century was like, it is my hope that, if we all do our jobs well and get this metadata thing right, the place they will be able to go, quite probably the ONLY place they could go, to get a real - accurate as history will allow - perspective of what it was like will be the BBC.  The rest of the worlds content will have been sold, resold and have eventually deteriorated under the un-watchful eye of its most neglectful owner and we will be left with the BBC's archive, protected by history, tradition and the British television license fee."

"We," I said to him "work at the 21st century's Alexandria Library...

Sounds a bit pompous, but the more I think about it, I actually think its true. The reason I've become so strangely passionate about the BBC is because it is important; more important than your usual Yank really considers...

Though we really should do something about that homepage..... oh wait, We are! (shhhhhh)

Originally posted on rxdxt.vox.com

Comments

[Rattles]

Well, great to read of your enthusiasm but for a technologist this is a surprising attitude - suprisingly glib unfortunaly - and certainly not supported by the BBCs record in preserving their past. The Alexandria metaphor is rather frightening - the effort to realize this building in Alexandria continues and the fate of its predecessor should not go unnoted.

The BBC is at the forefront of presenting developments in multimedia now but the preservation of this work depends on the collaboration of a much wider community than the BBC and will affect the preservation and conservation work conducted by wide and various archives. Why do you assume other national broadcasters are not addressing the same challenges?

Rattles

[Andrew Yates]

It cheers me up no end to hear someone as passionate about the BBC as I am. The BBC IS one of the greatest institutions in the world, certainly in this Country. Its heritage and archive are unparalleled, and its innovation is breath-taking.

I've long since realised that the general British mentality seems to be to attack and quash the very things it should hold dearest. I sometimes feel like the lone voice, praising, and often defending the BBC, what it stands for, why it is important, and why it should be protected and cherished.

I'm currently undertaking a degree in Broadcasting in London, hoping one day to work for the BBC. It's all down to a strong passion I have for British Broadcasting which I've gained growing up in awe and pride of the BBC.

I'd like to take the opportunity to congratulate you on the newly redesigned BBC website. A job very well done!

Long live the license fee!

[David]

On the subject of the new BBC website and particularly the analogue clock, congratulations are in order to the BBC. I for one am an analogue clock afficionado (I was VERY disappointed when I discovered that I couldn't have one on the outside of my Moto Pebl) and was particularly excited when I found that not just have the BBC brought it back, it's even got the second hand judder! The only thing that remains is for somebody cleverer-than-I to turn the clock (on its own, no fancy graphics or anything - just the clock quietly ticking away) into a screensaver. Any takers for the challenge?