What Enemies? Database is Strategic Narrative

In contrast to Manovich and Folsom’s theorization of the database as counter-narrative and an autonomous entity, I completely concur with Hayles’s theory that the two are symbionts. Based on Mieke Bal’s elements of narration, which include actor, narrator, text, story, and fabula (p. 1606), I contend that narrative makes up for database’s shortcomings since the latter only contains texts and fabula. When compared to a database, which acts as evidence, a narrative provides context and allows for causation, trajectories, motives, and inferences (p. 1606). Evidence, after all, does not function outside of contexts.

Considering Hayles’s additional assertions regarding how narrative manifests itself in every circumstance and is influenced by context shift and cultural evolution in the 21st century, it is appropriate to argue that databases are set up based on the contexts offered by narratives. As a result, interface technology is strategic (p. 413) and dependent on cultural settings (p. 412), according to Haas (2018), who also highlights the interaction between bodies (people) and technologies (p. 416). In other words, though digital, databases are made by people for specific purposes. (180) [TO-06]

[Manovich, 2002; Hayles, 2007; Folsom, 2007; Haas, 2018]