Kirschenbaum Argues for Advanced Computer Literacy in the Humanities

Matthew Kirschenbaum has a new essay in the January 23 Chronicle of Higher Education's titled "Hello Worlds: Why humanities students should learn to program."

In the essay, Kirschenbaum explores parallels between the relationship of language to the larger world in both computer science and in the humanities. Kirschenbaum argues that new comparative frontiers will be opened with increased knowledge of computer programming.

"Computers should not be black boxes but rather understood as powerful engines for creating powerful and persuasive models around us," writes Kirschenbaum.

Kirschenbaum is Associate Professor of English and Associate Director of MITH and a leading expert on the use of technology in the humanities.

"Hello Worlds" is available online here. Kirschenbaum also has a related sidebar published in the January 23 Chronicle Review available here.