Mass Observation encourages people to record their day for archival purposes. /Fresh Splash/Getty Creative via VCG
Mass Observation encourages people to record their day for archival purposes. /Fresh Splash/Getty Creative via VCG
Today is May 12, do you know what that means?
It is Mass Observation Day. Researchers in the UK are encouraging people to submit their diary entries to an archive, so historians looking back in the future can gain insight into the real lives of people living through the current coronavirus pandemic.
It seems we don't need much encouragement: researchers at the University of Sussex say they get 200 entries in most years, but in May 2020 they got 5,000 as the pandemic kept many people locked down at home.
What is Mass Observation?
Mass Observation began in 1937 as the project of anthropologist Tom Harrison, artist Humphrey Jennings and writer Charles Madge.
The goal was to create an "anthropology of ourselves" through combining professional fieldwork with diaries and questionnaires submitted by volunteers. Mass Observation recorded the experiences of the British public over the course of World War II and its aftermath.
In 1981, the project was relaunched. The archive preserves the papers of the original Mass Observation movement and current Mass Observation project and makes them publicly available, as part of the University of Sussex's special collections.
The Mass Observation Archive aims to capture records of everyday life, safeguarding records for inspired research and learning for future generations.
Just as the experiences of the British public over the course of World War II and its aftermath were recorded via the initiative, in May 2020, people's diary entries reflected the reality of a typical day living during the pandemic. The logs today will immortalize through words people's lived-experiences one year on.
CLICK RIGHT: PHOTOS OF DIARY ENTRIES FROM MAY 2020
The closure of hairdressers and schools is reflected in this diary entry. /Mass Observation
The closure of hairdressers and schools is reflected in this diary entry. /Mass Observation
The repetitiveness of everyday life was also a common theme reflected on in last year's entries. /Mass Observation
The repetitiveness of everyday life was also a common theme reflected on in last year's entries. /Mass Observation
Zoom gatherings and social networking show how people kept in touch with one another. /Mass Observation
Zoom gatherings and social networking show how people kept in touch with one another. /Mass Observation
A drawing from a child shows a fantastical illustration of a battle with the coronavirus. /Mass Observation
A drawing from a child shows a fantastical illustration of a battle with the coronavirus. /Mass Observation
At-home workouts and online fitness classes were written about by many diarists. /Mass Observation
At-home workouts and online fitness classes were written about by many diarists. /Mass Observation
Pets were also a clear source of comfort and companionship during the coronavirus pandemic. /Mass Observation
Pets were also a clear source of comfort and companionship during the coronavirus pandemic. /Mass Observation
Gaming and at-home schooling kept many children occupied when they were locked indoors. /Mass Observation
Gaming and at-home schooling kept many children occupied when they were locked indoors. /Mass Observation
One writer lists the positives of working from home and lockdown. /Mass Observation
One writer lists the positives of working from home and lockdown. /Mass Observation
What are the main themes people write about?
The diary entries are touching to read, as they reflect shared emotions and realities. Looking across Mass Observation diaries from 2020 and 1937, people's thoughts and lives mirror each other.
In last year's logs, the spirit and "can-do" attitude of the World War II were echoed. Some of the most common emotions among diarists include hope, loss, wellbeing, kindness and happiness. There are also themes of everyday experiences, including creativity, family and community, cooking and baking, social media and technology, pets and nature.
Through such logs, Mass Observation hopes historians looking back on the pandemic will understand how fear and uncertainty lived alongside cabin fever and restlessness, while Zoom and socially-distanced walks coupled with baking and gaming.
How can you become a Mass Observer?
Mass Observation asks people to write diary entries covering many different themes and events, ranging from education to relationships and Eurovision to the UK's National Health Service.
There has been unprecedented demand for people keen to become involved and it is closed at the moment. However, the initiative will open again soon, and you can sign up here. Researchers are also still accepting diary logs from May 12, 2020, so if you think you have a diary entry from last year stashed away and you would like to share it, Mass Observation is waiting to hear from you.
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