Thursday, December 07, 2006

Pacifica radio network and digital preservation


Pacifica radio was where I discovered jazz when I was a kid. WPFW in Washington, D.C. did a lot to lift me and my buddies out of the 70's doldrums.

It turns out Pacifica is a lot older than that, having been there during the civil rights movement, the times of the Beat generation and much more. Not only did they broadcast a significant portion of culturally vital events, they also recorded them.

Digital preservation is a way to stay in touch with heritage, the different cultures we all come from, and culture we all, to one degree or another, share. In this article in Raw Story, the story is on how Pacifica is looking to spread the word and collaborate to preserve our heritage, and the voices who have let us all benefit from, and demand a true freedom.

In the library/computer geek world it's called LOCKSS, "lots of copies keep stuff safe." Work is involved, cooperation is involved, and, these days, unfortunately, having courage to stand up against copyright paranoia and culturally repressive trends is also involved. Tune in to a Pacifica radio station today. Delve into heritage, and history, and the voices and ideas that make our country great.

Info can be had about, and donations can be made to, the Pacifica Radio Archive here.

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