Do we need custodians of knowledge? discuss with reference to two areas of knowledge.

Picture a scene from the past, where scholars huddled in candlelit libraries meticulously transcribing scrolls. Fast forward to the current day, where a click of a button unveils a vast digital archive. This transformation leads us to consider the role of custodians in a world rich in knowledge. A custodian of knowledge is a guardian entrusted with the protection, preservation, and dissemination of information. Although custodians safeguard the truth and integrity of knowledge, their influence often presents difficulties, raising concerns about how to strike a balance between open inquiry and authority. Through the Natural Sciences and History, this essay aims to investigate the intricate nature of custodianship taking into consideration how it affects historical accounts, scientific research, societal viewpoints, and the need for inclusivity and transparency in knowledge stewardship.

 

To begin with the area of knowledge of natural sciences, we need custodians of knowledge in the natural sciences to ensure the accuracy and reliability of information disseminated to the public. Without custodians, misinformation and misconceptions could spread, leading to potentially harmful consequences. Using the example of the flat Earth versus spherical Earth argument, this is evident as the evidence presented by flat Earthers has never been published in scientific databases. This is due to the heavy reliance on peer review in the scientific community, whereby scientific experts act as custodians of this knowledge, determining whether the research is reliable enough to be published for the non-scientific community. When you submit your work to a journal, the peer review procedure begins. Your work will be sent to impartial experts in your field for evaluation after submission. Reviewers are tasked with assessing the work's originality, importance, and validity. (Author Services, 2024) Through these rigorous peer review processes, they uphold the standards of scientific inquiry, ensuring that only validated and credible findings are shared with the public. By adhering to this evaluation system, the spread of misinformation and misconceptions is mitigated, ultimately fostering a better-informed society capable of making sound decisions based on verified scientific evidence.

 

However, the idea of custodians of knowledge contradicts the principles of scientific inquiry, which encourage scepticism, open debate, and the constant questioning of established beliefs. By placing too much authority in the hands of custodians, there is a risk of stifling critical thinking and discouraging alternative viewpoints. Gregor Mendel's work on genetics is an example of why custodians of knowledge are unnecessary in scientific inquiry. Mendel's experiments with pea plants challenged prevailing beliefs about inheritance, proposing instead the concept of discrete units of inheritance or genes. (Britannica, 2024) Due to ingrained beliefs in alternative theories, the scientific community, who were the custodians responsible for judging whether his work was legitimate or incorrect, mainly disregarded his findings despite its clarity. Mendel's revolutionary discoveries were not widely accepted at first because of this rejection, emphasising the dangers of custodians suppressing critical thought and rejecting opposing views. Mendel's contributions could have accelerated the field of genetics' advancement if there had been greater willingness to question conventional theories. This example highlights the importance of scepticism and open debate in science, emphasising diverse perspectives and merit-based evaluation over custodial authority for encouraging scientific progress.

 

Moving on to the area of knowledge of history, custodians of knowledge are essential for maintaining cultural heritage and identity. Without them, valuable historical insights and lessons from the past could be lost or distorted over time. Custodians ensure that historical narratives are accurately documented and interpreted, contributing to a deeper understanding of human civilization and progress. The Maori Language Commission in New Zealand is an example of such a custodian, working to preserve and promote the Maori language and culture, which are essential to the identity and heritage of the Maori people. The Maori language and cultural traditions were vulnerable to marginalisation and loss due to factors such as colonialism and globalisation. It is the Commission's responsibility as custodians to protect and revive the Maori language and cultural heritage. Through language revitalization programs, educational resources, advocacy campaigns, and policy development, they integrate Maori language and culture into New Zealand society. (Māori Language Commission, 2024) Their efforts not only preserve Maori identity but also enrich the cultural diversity of New Zealand. Custodians like the Maori Language Commission are stewards of cultural heritage, preserving invaluable historical insights for present and future generations, thus ensuring the voices of marginalised communities endure. This explains the need for custodians of knowledge in history as they preserve the culture of the ancestors ensuring it is not lost in the developing world.

 

In contrast, custodians can accidentally reinforce historical biases, sustaining narratives that serve specific political or ideological agendas. Custodians themselves may be influenced by societal norms and prejudices, leading to selective preservation and interpretation of historical information. In the case of the Tulsa massacre in 1921, custodians of knowledge, particularly journalists and newspaper companies of that era, played a significant role in perpetuating misinformation and biases. (Scott, 2021) Despite how serious the incident was, many newspapers chose to downplay or completely ignore the massacre, which was indicative of the time's pervasive racism. Because of their failure to properly record and report on the atrocity—a result of cultural norms and prejudices—the custodians of information contributed to its distortion and exclusion from popular historical narratives. Furthermore, these custodians of history maintained a story that hid the actual scope of the violence and its effects on Tulsa's Black community by selectively conserving information. Therefore, the custodians' inability to truthfully record and report on the Tulsa massacre serves as an example of how their prejudices and cultural influences can obstruct a thorough comprehension of history. The impact of the massacre was downplayed up until the 1990’s when the truth finally came out presenting the values of people during the historical event. (Williams, 2021)

 

On one hand in the area of knowledge of the natural sciences, custodians of knowledge in the natural sciences act as mediators between scientific research and the general public, translating complex findings into accessible language and facilitating science communication efforts. Their role helps bridge the gap between scientists and society, fostering greater understanding and appreciation of scientific advancements. This is explored through the teaching of the natural sciences in schools, universities and other institutions whereby the teachers are the custodians of knowledge bridging the gap between the scientific terminology and concepts and the students. These educators take on the challenging task of translating complex scientific ideas and procedures into digestible language and concepts due to their vast subject matter experience and teaching skills. By utilising a variety of effective teaching strategies, including interactive lectures, practical laboratory exercises, and multimedia presentations, they aim to help their students understand and relate to abstract scientific concepts. (Longman, 2020) Additionally, by providing an atmosphere of intellectual inquiry and curiosity, these custodians inspire students to examine the complexities of the natural world with a critical eye and mind. Throughout the process, they not only teach facts but also develop critical abilities like problem-solving, analytical reasoning, and effective communication—abilities that are vital for surviving in a technologically advanced and more complex world. Justifying their values as custodians of scientific information. Thus, teachers are crucial in shaping the next generation of scientifically literate students because they act as a link between scientific research and public awareness.

 

While on the other hand in the area of knowledge of history, individual accountability for historical literacy and involvement is undermined by the reliance on knowledge custodians. Even though custodians are crucial to the preservation and dissemination of historical knowledge, this dependency may unintentionally affect communities' ability to actively shape historical discourse. This phenomenon is particularly evident in institutions like the British Museum, where the board of directors serve as custodians of historical artefacts. The custodianship of the British Museum raises doubt on the need for custodial control in historical contexts. Institutions such as the British Museum are accused of cultural appropriation and historical distortion, even if they profess to be preserving artefacts for future generations. This is true when it comes to artefacts that were acquired through colonial ties. The power dynamics present in custodial techniques are further highlighted by the museum refusing to acknowledge the rightful ownership of artefacts to the nations of origin. (Alberge et al., 2019) The example of institutions like the British Museum sheds light on the need for a better approach to custodianship, particularly concerning artefacts acquired through colonial ties. It is imperative for custodians to engage in transparent and ethical practices, acknowledging the complexities of history and working collaboratively with communities to shape historical discourse in a more inclusive and accurate manner.

 

In conclusion, knowledge custodians are essential to preserving and sharing knowledge in the natural sciences and history. The balance between open inquiry and custodial power is undermined by their efforts, even if maintaining accuracy and integrity depends on them. Custodianship needs to change in the modern world by incorporating accountability, transparency, and inclusivity. Although custodians are required to guarantee accuracy and dependability, their influence shouldn't reinforce prejudices or impede critical thought. Rather, custodians ought to work cooperatively, recognising different perspectives and encouraging having values in place. This strategy is essential for tackling modern issues including historical misrepresentation, cultural appropriation, and disinformation. The duties and obligations of custodians in organisations, museums, and educational settings are still being debated. We are able to better understand the complexities of custodians in today's society by reimagining custodianship as a collaborative endeavour guided by inclusivity and transparency. This will ensure that the past is preserved accurately while enabling present and future generations to engage critically with knowledge. We do require custodians because, in the constantly changing world of today, laws and policies must be put in place to guarantee that the public is given accurate information while averting disputes.

Alberge, D., McCann, C., & Foley, D. (2019, November 4). British Museum is world's largest receiver of stolen goods, says QC. The Guardian. Retrieved February 18, 2024, from https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/nov/04/british-museum-is-worlds-largest-recei ver-of-stolen-goods-says-qc

Author Services. (2024). Understanding peer review. Author Services. Retrieved February 18, 2024, from https://authorservices.taylorandfrancis.com/publishing-your-research/peer-review/

Britannica. (2024, February 12). Priest | Definition, History, & Facts. Britannica. Retrieved February 18, 2024, from https://www.britannica.com/topic/priest-Christianity
 

Longman, C. (2020, February 5). Bridging the communication gap between scientists and the public. College of Science | Oregon State University. Retrieved February 18, 2024, from https://science.oregonstate.edu/IMPACT/2020/02/bridging-the-communication-gap-betw een-scientists-and-the-public

Māori Language Commission. (2024). Māori Language Commission. Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori. Retrieved February 18, 2024, from https://en.tetaurawhiri.govt.nz/home

Scott, D. (2021, June 3). Why haven't we heard of the Tulsa Race Massacre? Centre for Crime and Justice Studies. Retrieved February 18, 2024, from
https://www.crimeandjustice.org.uk/resources/why-havent-we-heard-tulsa-race-massacre

Williams, J. (2021, May 24). What the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Destroyed. The New York Times. Retrieved February 18, 2024, from
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2021/05/24/us/tulsa-race-massacre.html