Arkivist

Arkivist is a term that has seen some recent usage, particularly in online communities and discussions related to digital culture and preservation. While not a formally established or widely recognized profession like archivist, it often refers to individuals who actively collect, organize, and preserve digital materials, particularly those considered ephemeral or at risk of being lost. This can include memes, social media content, digital art, or even personal digital histories.

The concept of the arkivist emphasizes the proactive nature of digital preservation, going beyond traditional archival methods that often focus on more permanent records. An arkivist might engage in practices such as scraping websites, archiving social media feeds, or creating personal digital archives to ensure that aspects of digital culture are not forgotten. The term suggests a sense of urgency and a desire to safeguard digital heritage for future access and study.

The motivations behind becoming an arkivist can vary. Some are driven by a passion for preserving specific subcultures or online phenomena, while others are concerned with the broader implications of digital ephemerality and the potential loss of cultural memory. The role can also be seen as a form of digital activism, ensuring that a diverse range of digital voices and creations are not silenced by technological obsolescence or platform changes. The methods and ethical considerations of arkivists are still evolving as the digital landscape continues to change.