Increasingly, researchers are engaging with the “Stop Asking Stupidly” (SAS) methodology as part of their process. The SASi tool was built to support this methodology. It doesn’t replace more streamlined mechanisms for exploring objects and collections, but with its flexible, AI-powered discovery functionality it helps tap into less obvious possibilities and questions. It draws on social metadata, the rich contextual information held about objects, and any available historical information about the collection and digitisation processes that have shaped what is available. It also prompts speculation on what is not represented: gaps and silences in the records, questions that have not been asked, and analysis that has been under the radar. Its purpose within the infrastructure ecosystem is to add friction. One of the more surprising aspects of its success has been the popularity of the option for SASi to be quite blunt and confrontational. Usage data shows a marked increase in the amount of aggression and challenge SASi is asked to provide. It is living up to its name.
Links
Infrastructure Futures for Digital Cultural Heritage (project page)