Visualization, Digital Humanities, and the Problem of Instrumentalism

Abstract

In this paper we present the concept of “slow analytics” that attempts to ridge the gap between humanities tasks and visualization. Often within Technological disciplines the pursuit of speed and efficiency are paramount. But, with domain experts like literary critics, slow and methodical interaction with texts is part of the work flow and sense-making process. By challenging the paradigm of efficiency we can design visualizations and interactions that are much more human and aid in our interactions with technology.