My online search for HK’s heritage began at the class wiki and then a perusal of the existing class blog entries. The wikipedia entry is obviously a very helpful resource both for the history it documents and also the links to other websites (mostly government) it provides. To get a sense of the more recent contraversial issues relating to heritage, a Factiva search through the University’s electronic resources was helpful, listing a range of articles in order of date – overwhelmingly published in the SCMP. Heritage is something that is passed down from preceding generations, we live our heritage every day (we also breath it) but often it is only when its taken away that we realise that it exists. Considering the subjective nature of heritage, the commonly ultra-opinionated sphere of blogs was attractive. Searching ‘blog’ and ‘Hong Kong’ in google gave this page at asiapundit.com which asked for contributors’ opinions on the best blogs in Hong Kong. Some of these blogs were no longer being maintained , but the majority were very lively and all engaged to some extent with the notion of Hong Kong’s heritage – Hemlock, PPM, and EastSouthWestNorth stand out. I then changed tack towards the social networking site Facebook, finding a 593 member group called the Hong Kong Heritage Conservation, and then the ‘related groups’ Save Hong Kong’s Street Markets and also the Central and Western Concern Group. The first group’s 176 photos are entertaining and give a refreshing perspective on what these people hold dear in the city. It is also possible to get an indication of the tone and nature of the organisations fighting to preserve HK’s heritage and also view the events that are being hosted by these groups.
With relation to this point – and particularly considering the nature of this course – I am interested in exploring the use of Web 2.0 by Heritage activists aiming to bring awareness to their cause. The Internet is a tremendous resource for activism , particularly in a city as connected but also as busy as HK. The more depth and texture that can be incorporated into a website, the more compelling it can be. I think an exploration of new techniques being used by a range of different groups around the city would be an interesting story idea.
