<!-- TITLE: A Sociology of the Lost and Forgotten --> # a poem on the forgotten > was having it do poetry, then > There's this ancient story about the place theory of memory. The story involves the death of a hundred people, and one party-member's ability to remember everyone who was present by enumerating where each person was seated. This led him to start organizing other memories in this way. More recently, Lewis Hyde recounted this story and posited that this story survived because of it's gruesome nature. The place theory of memory, oh how intriguing A way to remember the details of the living An ancient tale of a hundred souls, now deceased Their names and faces, a memory that has decreased But one party-member, with an extraordinary mind Could remember each person by where they were assigned Seated in rows and columns, a grid of memory A unique way to remember the faces of history Lewis Hyde, with a keen eye and sharp mind Recounted this story, a memory of mankind The gruesome nature, a reason it survived A tale of death and remembrance, a memory that has thrived. # what to study > I'm a researcher, studying the academic disciplines from the perspective of what they forget. The goal is to come to an understanding of the development of knowledge from the side of what it cuts out, excludes, from the record. Any ideas? Or, researchers I should look into? Or, theorists or books I should read? ## round 1 It sounds like you are interested in the concept of "forgetting" as it pertains to the development of knowledge. There are many different ways to approach this topic, so there isn't one right answer to your question. However, here are a few ideas and suggestions that might be helpful: + One approach to studying what disciplines "forget" could be to look at the history of those disciplines and identify key developments, theories, and figures that have been left out or marginalized over time. For example, you could study the history of psychology and identify key figures who have been forgotten or overlooked, and try to understand why that happened. + Another approach could be to look at how the process of "forgetting" is embedded within the practices and methods of academic disciplines. For example, you could study the ways in which certain research methods or practices exclude or erase certain types of knowledge or data. + You could also study how the concept of "forgetting" is understood in different academic disciplines, and how it is used to shape the development of knowledge. For example, you could study how the concept of "forgetting" is used in psychology, sociology, anthropology, or history, and how it is used to explain certain phenomena or trends. As for researchers, theorists, or books that you might want to look into, there are many to choose from. Here are a few suggestions: + Some researchers who have studied the concept of "forgetting" within different disciplines include Mary Carruthers, who has written about the role of memory in the development of knowledge; Frances Yates, who has written about the role of memory in the history of ideas; and Michel Foucault, who has written about the relationship between power and knowledge. + Some books that might be relevant to your research include "The Art of Memory" by Frances Yates, "The Order of Things" by Michel Foucault, and "The Forgetting: Alzheimer's: Portrait of an Epidemic" by David Shenk. + Some other theorists who have written about the relationship between knowledge and power, and who might be relevant to your research, include Pierre Bourdieu, Edward Said, and Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak. ## round 2 One approach to studying the development of knowledge from the perspective of what is excluded is to examine the history of science and scholarship. This could involve looking at how certain ideas or theories were dismissed or marginalized in the past, and how this has shaped the current understanding of a particular subject. For example, the work of women and people of color has often been overlooked in the history of science, and examining this exclusion can provide insight into how the field has developed. Another approach is to study the role of power and ideology in the construction of knowledge. This could involve examining how certain ideas or theories become dominant within a field, and how this can lead to the exclusion or suppression of alternative perspectives. For example, the study of critical theory in the humanities and social sciences looks at how power and ideology shape the production of knowledge. There are many researchers and theorists who have written about the exclusion of certain ideas or perspectives in the development of knowledge. Some of the key figures in this field include Michel Foucault, Edward Said, and Pierre Bourdieu, among others. There are also many books that explore these themes, such as "The Order of Things" by Michel Foucault, "Orientalism" by Edward Said, and "Distinction" by Pierre Bourdieu. These works can provide valuable insight into the ways in which knowledge is constructed and the role of exclusion in this process. > List some contemporaries I should know As a language model, I don't have personal knowledge of contemporary researchers in the field of studying the development of knowledge from the perspective of what is excluded. However, I can provide a list of some contemporary scholars who are known for their work in related fields, such as the history of science, critical theory, and the sociology of knowledge. + Bruno Latour is a French sociologist and philosopher known for his work on the sociology of science and technology. + Donna Haraway is an American feminist theorist and science studies scholar known for her work on the relationship between science, technology, and society. + Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak is an Indian literary theorist and critical philosopher known for her work on postcolonialism and the politics of representation. + bell hooks is an American feminist, critical race theorist, and social activist known for her work on the intersection of race, gender, and class. + N. Katherine Hayles is an American literary theorist and science studies scholar known for her work on the relationship between literature, science, and technology. + Karen Barad is an American feminist physicist and theorist of science known for her work on the philosophy of science and science studies. + Édouard Glissant is a French Caribbean poet, novelist, and philosopher known for his work on postcolonialism and the philosophy of creolization. + Homi K. Bhabha is an Indian cultural theorist and critical philosopher known for his work on postcolonialism and the politics of identity. + Gayle Rubin is an American feminist scholar and activist known for her work on the history of sexuality and the politics of sex and gender. + David Harvey is an American geographer and critical theorist known for his work on Marxist theory and the political economy of capitalism. These are just a few examples of contemporary scholars who are known for their work in fields related to the study of the development of knowledge from the perspective of what is excluded. There are many others who are making important contributions to this field, and a more comprehensive list would require more specific information about your research interests and goals.