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elinjo
No, it certainly ain't 'bunk'. It's terribly important - but historical 'truth' is not easily accessible either, and not only (and not even
primarily) because some people conspire to lie... A completely 'objective' view of history is impossible (Ranke attempted that and failed...) I sometimes think it makes more sense to speak of 'histories' rather than 'history'...But don't get me started...
posted by
Nautikos
on June 20, 2009 at 5:19 PM
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I don't think history is bunk. It shows us how we got to where we are.
posted by
FormerStudentIntern
on June 20, 2009 at 4:35 PM
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Looking back at the 60's might benefit the U.S. today.
posted by
mariss9
on June 20, 2009 at 11:04 AM
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Re:
I agree with Shelly; if we study history we can perhaps avoid repeating other people's silly mistakes. It also helps us to understand our own societies and why they have developed the way they have.
posted by
elinjo
on June 20, 2009 at 9:56 AM
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if you ask my daughter she say, why do we need history, and I have never been into history myself, but know enough
posted by
Lanetay
on June 20, 2009 at 9:32 AM
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Betty, thanks so much for the time and effort you make to give us such informative and interesting links. Thanks too for dropping by; glad the page opened up properly. I have had the same problem a couple of times. Sorry I couldn't write today, will catch up in a couple of days. Have a good weekend. Nita.
posted by
Nita09
on June 20, 2009 at 8:38 AM
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I think history is very important and teaches valuable lessons! I think we repeat history when we are unaware! So it is good to be mindful of it! Shelly
posted by
sam444
on June 20, 2009 at 8:28 AM
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There is always so much more to know.
posted by
texture
on June 20, 2009 at 6:41 AM
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Re: History is the version of what happened told by the winning side.
We should envy the children who learn history today, because it is going to be very difficult to pull wool over their eyes. When I was checking out this site I browsed through the section on the American revolution. Growing up in England my history teacher, though very professional, taught us the story mainly from the English point of view. Now if you study the following you will read the American point of view. What is even more fantastic is that the BBC has external links to Michigan State University and the Library of Congress.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/british/empire_seapower/american_revolution_01.shtml
posted by
elinjo
on June 20, 2009 at 5:24 AM
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History is the version of what happened told by the winning side.
We seldom get the whole story. People look at me like I just crawled out from under a rock when I say the history we're taught in school is the state's version, it's been polished and spun to suit the government's purpose, but it isn't necessarily the truth. They ask if I'm a commie. I tell 'em no, I'm just a pissed off citizen who's checked out a few things for herself.
posted by
Pat_B
on June 20, 2009 at 5:09 AM
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Re:
I tend to agree with you.
posted by
elinjo
on June 20, 2009 at 3:34 AM
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No, I don't think it's bunk, but I do think some of the interpretations put on it are bunk. Then we discover, sometimes hundreds of years later, that we've been fed a load of propaganda passing for history. So history needs to be carefully recorded and never taken at face value. IMHO!!
posted by
Rockingrector_retd
on June 20, 2009 at 2:07 AM
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