Mar 26, 2019 A Little Nonsense Now and Then…

By Tony Sams

Recently, I have changed my primary scope from visual services to work on the Marriott Library’s emerging VR program. Prior to developing our visual services, I was part of the technical team helping to maintain Apple systems in the library and across campus. Getting to the proverbial point, I have had the chance to work on a variety of projects with some amazing colleagues, continuing to swim in the pond with other generalists. In fact, if we were to take a snap-shot of our colleagues in Creativity and Innovation Services, you might find a group of like-minded individuals who really defy classification – the neo-generalist.

My background in visual communications has taken a backseat in recent years but has always tagged along for the ride. Combining passion and career can sometimes be tricky to navigate, but I always try to invite my friend photography along on the many paths I journey down. The most recent example of applied neo-generalism has emerged in an LSTA grant to continue the work of the DoUA, collecting oral histories of those affected by atomic testing. As part of the grant, I will be joined by Justin Sorensen, our GIS Specialist, to take multiple trips to southern communities in rural Utah in an outreach effort to listen and document the stories of people who continue to live with the effects of long-term exposure of atomic testing. The visual direction of the interviews, lighting, and even sound are all critical components in collecting archival footage and that’s where my friend photography plays a critical role.

We are all generalist to some degree. We need to see the importance of choosing a path and not worrying whether or not we have chosen the right one. Taking Frost’s enduring words to heart, it will make all the difference.

A good read: The Neo-Generalist: Where You Go is Who You Are by Martin & Mikkelsen

Tony Sams | New Media Projects Specialist
Creativity & Innovation Services
tony.sams@utah.edu