I don’t remember where I read it, but I do remember who it was: Jeffrey Perl, professor of literature. “History begins at the moment of recognition,” he quipped. Immediately, almost reflexively (because that’s how historians read), I began to switch those words about. If “History” begins when we recognize it, then “History” ends when we no longer do: a condition commonly known as death. History happens only when we are… (insert dramatic music, here)… alive and in the present tense.
This has huge implications.
American culture does not allow much space for History’s reverence. History competes with gamers, with twerkers, with football and basketball hero-worshippers. When, by chance, attention does turn to the study of the past it’s usually not of the scholastic variety. Instead most folks learn of the past through movies, or bad television docudramas and everything else in between. But have you ever attended a public lecture by a learned professor of History…? I thought so.
But back to the implications: If “History” only exists when we live and breathe, then “History” must be in the present tense.
Wait! Isn’t history about the past?
No. No it is not.
History is the study of the past, but history is certainly not about the past.
Let’s look at it from the angle of Shakespeare. He sure did write a lot of plays; for example, Macbeth and Romeo and Juliet, to name two. If I read Macbeth, the story is about power-hungry elites who will murder and cause mayhem to get it – not about Shakespeare at all. If I read Romeo and Juliet, it’s about two young lovers from feuding families with severe suicidal tendencies – again, not about this guy Shakespeare at all. Extending this allegory to history, if I read some of it, then I am reading about past problems, social anxieties, dilemmas, and on and on – the bulk of which likely occurred prior to my lifetime: but I am certainly not reading about “History.”
The implication now becomes apparent: History is something I do. And, because “I am” (thanks Descartes), and because that action involves reading about the past, “History” then is firmly cemented in the here and now. History is a present tense activity.
Here, too, “History’s” purpose also becomes visible: it bows to the demand, “tell me who I am!” But such knowledge is the fruit that tempts. The serpent did not offer the apple – it slid and slithered on a diversion mission. Much the same is true, today. A morsel of self-awareness converts that stolid brow into libertine quests for truths. And herein lays history’s vulnerability: the fruit of knowledge needs self-pollination. In order for history to become actuated, someone must dare to be intrinsic: someone must dare to know.
But our culture today is filled with such diversions from red-carpeted, near-naked, perambulatory banalities; to hate-filled, scream-jousted, info-vacant news shows – and all that pips, pops, wows and shimmies in between. I sometimes wonder, I sometime slip into that mode of conspiracy theorist, something George Orwell once said, “The most effective way to destroy people is to deny and obliterate their own understanding of their history.” Marketing may sell toothpaste, but the bill of sale may demand we turn over our very selves.
What bigger parts of us yet remain buried and uncovered? Will Budweiser make it so that we’ll never know? If history is, as Professor Perl indicated, awareness (“History begins at the moment of recognition”), what gives consciousness to the satiated soul? Can I, mere history instructor, augur the call in others: “tell me who I am?” With Clio’s help, with Clio’s help.
October 26, 2014 at 7:28 pm
Joe, you are raising so many interesting questions. Is historical thinking on the wane? What happens to our identity in the “end-of-history” world? How is technology affecting the way we process and store information and the way we think about the study of history?
I was thinking about Orwell’s message in the above quotations, which, of course, became somewhat of a reality in totalitarian societies. While totalitarian governments suppressed the open and objective study of history, people in small, underground communities (or often just in a small circle of friends) continued to debate, think, and record what was actually happening. They were determined to have a history despite censorship, and, perhaps, the regime’s oppression even strengthened their determination to “do” history. Knowing the “true” history became a tool of resistance, a tool to preserve and perpetuate one’s identity.
In democratic societies, the study of history has become a stale discipline removed from real power, an intellectual exercise confined to computer screens or archives. It is removed from politics and social engagement. Perhaps, that is a part of the problem. Historians have very little power and are often individualists who do not work well in a group to bring change to society. After all, each historian always tries to outsmart the next one- to find a flaw in another historian’s thesis, lack of evidence, ideological bias, etc. There aren’t many Howard Zinns around. That is the sad truth.
I still think that you are right about the study of history having to compete with all the other noise in the age of information overload.
October 26, 2014 at 7:57 pm
I find in ironic that people denied of their history via totalitarianism pursue history underground, while the marketed free-Republics give a near resounding shrug to history’s relevance. Thank you so much for these comments, Desi! You have given me more to chew on…
September 2, 2016 at 11:21 pm
Media definitely has a part in how our history will be shaped. The self-important labeling of historical events largely began with the growth of the mass media impact, and primarily shaped by America and Europe. During WWII, the world held a sigh of relief when BBC Radio interrupted its scheduled program to broadcast the announcement of Germany’s unconditional surrender. In 1969, hundreds of millions of Americans held their breath as they watched Neil Armstrong land on the moon and uttered the words, “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.” The successful moon landing was publicized as one of the world’s most important event of the mid-20th century.
Nobel Prize winner Albert Einstein once mentioned in a letter that the minority as the ruling class has the media and press under its thumb, and has enabled themselves to organize and sway the emotions of the masses, and make its tool of them. Indeed, well-known linguist and philosopher Noam Chomsky was once quoted saying, “We are what the mass media makes of us.”
September 4, 2016 at 4:02 pm
Maybe this is the reason I no longer pay attention to the mass media mavens?
September 3, 2016 at 2:01 pm
So, how would you define history?
September 4, 2016 at 4:01 pm
History is YOU! It’s yours, no one can take it from you once you acquire it. History is thus here, in the now, and by studying it, you help to identify who you are and where it is you fit in!
September 4, 2016 at 10:30 am
We need to realize that we are living history, this very moment, or else we fail to recognize history for what it is.
September 4, 2016 at 3:59 pm
Yes! You totally get it!
September 4, 2016 at 5:30 pm
I kinda disgree with your second paragraph when you say when Americans do not fully appreciate history by not going to lectures but by learning through media. Is it not truly appreciating history if you learn through media? Definitely you can get the same quality of information if not better information through media because with a broadcast they have a team of researchers writing a script instead on one professor just talking during a lecture. When watching history on tv or online, it can be more entertaining and appeal to different types of learners (visual, aural, etc). To me its more convenient to watch a youtube than sitting in class. I understand what you are saying but I simply just don’t agree
September 4, 2016 at 5:52 pm
Yes, I can understand how you might come to this conclusion. I did not really understand what it meant to possess a Ph.D. degree until I had one. That said, most Hollywood movies are written by people who have had little experience in “doing” history. They may have an interest which, of course, led them to draft a script, or borrow from a novel or book – and even if they read, drank in, and deeply learned of an historical event by an actual historian (or two), that screenwriter usually alters the history for reasons called aesthetics (a better ending, to move the dialogue, “entertainment” as you called it). But to major in History as an undergraduate one merely scratches the surface. To earn a masters degree, one merely scratches the surface on a particular topic. A doctorate, on the other hand, represents a person who has studied, at the least, six full years on a particular topic or trend. Six vs. “an interest” are two different things. If one is learning from movies, then one is learning how movies depict events. Take Gene Wilder (since he just passed away). He did a movie, quite entertaining, called Start the Revolution Without Me. Topic – French Revolution. Historically accurate? Not even close.
September 5, 2016 at 8:00 pm
I totally understand and agree with not trusting a movie to display accurate history. I wouldnt trust a movie that takes actual history as a light suggestion for a history lesson. However, more what I was addressing was documentaries or youtube videos that teach history lessons. Those sources that interview historians or have researches to check their work.
September 5, 2016 at 12:11 pm
So if history isnt just about the past is it also that in our generation we are also creating history as well so future generations can read about how we lived life?.
I really enjoy reading this artical/blog it makes me think more about history in itself and how are decisions and choices affect how we and the next generation will live.
September 5, 2016 at 1:33 pm
From my understanding it seems to me that in order for us to learn history we have to go around road blocks society places in front of us, politics, news, general media, government, entertainment businesses. They give out their alternation of what they perceived or think they know based on the information they are given. Chances of this information coming from well educated Phd Historians decrease as media and enterianment business continue to succeed in profiting off false information.
September 5, 2016 at 5:07 pm
People are always questing after ‘who they are’ and most do some genealogy and leave it at that. It’s not really the ‘self-pollination’ that people need, though. They just want someone to tell them the answer, they want the answer but not the knowledge. How does one tell if they really ‘dare to know’ or just wants to spill a lot of facts to sound smart?
September 5, 2016 at 5:38 pm
It’s interesting how you brought up a lot of people learning about history through television. I haven’t previously thought to much about it, but now that it has been brought to my attention, it really is depressing how much a good portion of people learn about history through television. I really does make you wonder how much some people have “learned” through television without putting a second thought into finding out if what they learned was actually true.
September 5, 2016 at 5:55 pm
I truly appreciate this article you wrote there is alot of truth,what stuck out to me was when you said history is about the now,and how the study of history is about the past. another thing i can see where you are coming from when you say history competes with all these social media related things. when in reality thats history in a way but its not really something all that great its not like they invented or created something that will benefit the world. do you have to be famous to be a part of history??
September 5, 2016 at 10:15 pm
I agree strongly with what what said in the last few paragraphs. We often fall into a place of distraction; coming to an understanding of what we call the “here and now” can sometimes derail us from noticing that we ourselves are stamping out our own paths in “history” right now.
September 12, 2016 at 9:19 pm
Wow! I would never of thought of History in this way. I can’t believe I went 20 years without ever being told this. Thank you for this knowledge!
September 19, 2016 at 9:15 am
You have the ability to see it now!
September 15, 2016 at 2:24 pm
What do we really know History and how do we know it’s real and what is fake?
September 19, 2016 at 9:15 am
For us historians, much of it is real, but refracted via the light of those who wrote it. In other words, it’s not whether it’s real or fake, but the angle of the skew.
January 19, 2017 at 7:36 pm
We are making history every single day….or at least living through important events that will be taught in the future. I AM HISTORY. I always thought this way of seeing history made it much more interesting. Through grade school, I always thought history was about memorizing dates and names. Once I got to high school, I realized that every minute of our lives was adding to history that our children and children’s children would be reading and learning about. Seeing history in this perspective makes it much more real and not a bunch of mumbo jumbo about some old dudes that did stuff. 😛
January 22, 2017 at 4:23 pm
As you mentioned in your article, “American culture does not allow much space for History’s reverence…When, by chance, attention does turn to the study of the past it’s usually not of the scholastic variety.(joehistorian,paragraph 3).” I do agree that the media is known for altering history by adding additional details for entertainment purposes. Also, they are known for sometimes telling a story inaccurately or they miss key details.
However, how do historians compete with all of this noise? Is there really any way to compete with all of this noise?
January 23, 2017 at 7:57 pm
I never thought of History as here and now, but as reading about what people did and said thousands of years ago. But I definitely agree, and see how we make History by being alive and so does each individual. That is so cool! Each choice we make brings us to other choices and so on-and that’s what History is, making choices every day, and that we can choose to make History something people want to remember and keep talking about for years to come. Each life adds History, it never stops.
January 24, 2017 at 3:06 pm
During my many years of public schooling, history was always my favorite subject. I was immediately attracted to the “behind the scenes” view it posed. Throughout middle school and early high school, history classes were memorization based. Jot down these power point notes and hope that you memorized the date Pearl Harbor was attacked. Thankfully, I had an eyeopening teacher my junior year that flipped the script and did history his way. He was focused on primary document investigations and how students related it other historical events or even modernity.
The idea that we are living history is game changing. I agree with the claim and hope that more intellectuals keep questioning and investigating the idea of history.
January 25, 2017 at 10:29 am
The quote by Mr. Diderot, “Skepticism is the first step towards truth” is an incredible reminder to continue to test things. Very similar to something the apostle Paul said, in 51 A.D., on the topic of prophecies, “test them all (1 Thessalonians 5:21).” A very good reminder, especially in the field of education.
January 26, 2017 at 8:51 pm
I found the quote about History being in the presence. As a person who enjoys history, I believe history has a greater significance that many give it. The quote makes history much more relatable and relevant to the today’s society.
January 27, 2017 at 12:46 am
It’s funny learning about the histories of civilizations, including our own history in the U.S., repeatedly hearing “history repeats itself.” That phrase only ever seemed to be used when mentioning some piece of a cycle of civilization’s downfalls. I grew up believing that didn’t have to be the case. I believe that if people took the time to examine the status quo from an outside perspective and question whether it’s the history we want to be remembered for, perhaps we could catch ourselves in time to change direction. The idea that history is now and forming all around us, molded by the way our decisions intertwine and collide, has always fascinated me, and this post sparked that fascination in me today.
January 27, 2017 at 8:23 am
Recent History is more easy to believe but history from far back in time raises my skepticism. History is the recordings of the people in their moment which is awesome. So the accuracy might be off somewhat but that for the listener to decide on what seems possible.
February 2, 2017 at 1:42 pm
The older I get the more I am interested history and what history is. It makes sense that history is now and in the past. As day by day goes by history is being made.
August 15, 2017 at 9:58 am
i happen to agree with this stance, i believe that america and the world aswell gets away for history. which in my view can be a tragedy, also that our own biases, can get in the way. that we twerk it in pour own favor, and that the history is a way that we use for our sleeves, and nothing more. we tend to put the history in our back pocket, which can cause a rift, and not let us learn from the pasts. we can use history to improve pour selves, and that we can see how it can affects us. but it also could repeat on what we are saying and doing, eventually everything comes back to us. so im not sure what to say other then that.
August 18, 2017 at 11:30 am
You said a lot, and all of it important!
August 15, 2017 at 11:44 am
I agree that we take too much time in the present watching tv or playing games or on our phone. We just need to take a break and find the value in history. We just need to pick up a history book or look up history and find a meaning from it. Once we find the meaning we can use it here and now, and learn from the past. We may use our own history to change our future. For instance, when I was a five-year old I lied. Instantly my mom recognized that I lied. I got in trouble and I learned not to lie. History is made every day it is up to you to choose what you do with it.
August 18, 2017 at 11:29 am
Moms, the universal truth finders!
August 15, 2017 at 3:19 pm
When I was younger I was never interested in History. But as I have grown I have been more intrigued by the past. This makes more since that history is in the present. That history is us researching/ questioning the past. (Monday Wednesday 10-11:15)
August 18, 2017 at 11:30 am
You got it!
August 15, 2017 at 4:59 pm
I can’t remember my high school history teachers name, but I was taught at that time that history is not just about stories and event of the past. He described it as a story (“His”Story or “Her”Story). It is an ongoing thing that will never stop as long as humans are still alive to tell the story of what happened once upon a time ago. I believe it is very important to learn about the past because it is human nature to repeat past mistake in the future and learning about those mistake before hand could help in the present, as long as there are those willing to listen.
August 18, 2017 at 11:31 am
Human nature indeed!
August 15, 2017 at 5:24 pm
It’s very important for people to know about the past in order to make decisions. Without the knowledge of the past, how we supposed to make decisions that could effect our future? America has the tendency to empathize less important thing such as pop stars. Our society could end up making huge mistakes if we don’t address our history and learn from it.
August 18, 2017 at 11:32 am
If not huge mistakes, at least small blunders.
August 15, 2017 at 5:30 pm
I never knew history would be so interesting!
August 18, 2017 at 11:32 am
Thank you! And it is…. it’s tremendously interesting.
August 15, 2017 at 5:37 pm
It is hard for the average person to actually care about history because the average person probably thinks, “It’s not relevant to me currently so why care.” This is unfortunate because you can learn so many wonderful things and awful things you want to avoid from history. The quote “Those who do not learn history are doomed to repeat it.” isn’t there to sound scary it’s there to warn us.
August 18, 2017 at 11:33 am
History: the alarm bell on the consciousness of mankind
August 15, 2017 at 8:30 pm
My favorite thing about history is the fact that WE are history. History doesn’t just stop. It’s so interesting to learn of history of the past, and see where we’ll be going with it for the future. It is truly phenomenal.
August 18, 2017 at 11:33 am
Yes, history is us!
August 15, 2017 at 10:19 pm
This is such a great idea of History! so many people think, “Oh I could never be as great as Abe Lincoln or Albert Einstein,” however those two very fine men didn’t know they were going to make history in the moments of their finest work, they were just living their lives, acting on the passion that they had. We could be making history right now and have no idea yet we doubt ourselves anyway.
August 18, 2017 at 11:34 am
Brena, you are right, and you are actually greater than Lincoln or Einstein. (because they’re dead)
August 15, 2017 at 10:27 pm
As a history major I’m always asked, “Why history?” or “What pulls you to history.” and it’s the very idea that you’re able to pull information from multiple different sources and make sense of them, like connecting the dots, processing and understanding why certain events happened and what ultimately caused them to happen. Which really is a lesson many need to review especially considering what we’ve been seeing in the news the past week.
August 18, 2017 at 11:35 am
This is awesome, thank you!
August 15, 2017 at 10:54 pm
This is a very interesting take on history. It’s insane to think that no one in their moment of time knows exactly how it will impact the future.
August 18, 2017 at 11:35 am
No one…!!!!
August 18, 2017 at 11:35 am
No one…!!!
August 15, 2017 at 10:57 pm
History has always been a subject in school that I appreciated. I like learning about the past. By learning about the past, I have learned a lot about how the historical events that happened when they did impact our lives now and how they can even impact the future. I never knew before reading this article that we are in fact history!
August 18, 2017 at 11:36 am
We certainly are. History is us.
August 15, 2017 at 11:37 pm
History shows itself in the present. That’s why observing it is so important. Remembering how what happened then affects today. We can learn and build from what we read about in a book or document. The world bases its idea of history on images put on a screen for all to see. It’s more than that! I agree with the statements provided in this blog. History is more than just a title written for a list of events from the past!
August 18, 2017 at 11:37 am
Yes! You got it, history is indeed right now.
August 15, 2017 at 11:42 pm
I have always loved history
August 18, 2017 at 11:37 am
Me too…
August 16, 2017 at 12:15 am
Reading this has really changed my view on history as a subject. I’ve always been really into history. Looking at it in this light has made me even more excited to take your class. Brina’s comment nailed it right on the head!
August 18, 2017 at 11:38 am
Excited you’re in the class, Chelsea!
August 16, 2017 at 7:48 am
Very well stated post. As a history major your blog is never left wanting.
August 18, 2017 at 11:38 am
Thanks Dwight, get ready… it’s going to be fun
August 16, 2017 at 8:39 am
History is my favorite subject and like you discussed in lecture you began to think about the dates of Hymn songs and who wrote them. I grew up in a religious setting and even though I am not religious i enjoyed reading the histories of people in the Bible.
August 18, 2017 at 11:39 am
Yeah, there are some wonderful stories in all religions…
August 16, 2017 at 8:53 am
History is in the present because we study it and learn it while we live. Not only that, we ourselves are a part of history. Everything we do cannot be changed, but it can be remembered and interpreted in the present of future generations.
August 18, 2017 at 11:39 am
Well-stated Mauricio!
August 16, 2017 at 9:01 pm
I like how history is a subject in and of itself because when one considers others subjects like science and English, the ways in which these subjects have transformed are history. Also, when recalling events, such as when someone says that he or she drove to the store, people never, if not, usually never realize that that is history. Even more, nobody knows whether or not one day his or her name will be printed in a history book. I have never looked at history and had these thoughts until I read this article. -Ravnit Takhar
August 18, 2017 at 11:41 am
Very cool! And the fact that humans today “drive” to a “store” is so completely different than how city-folk acquired their food just 150-years ago.
August 17, 2017 at 10:27 pm
As a history major, I am very excited about this opportunity to “do” history. I feel a connection to our roots as a human race when I can put my self in the positions of those of past generations.
August 18, 2017 at 11:41 am
Julien, you are and empathy beast! You shall do well.
August 18, 2017 at 1:21 am
Wow this really opened my eyes and brain to think about a bigger picture. History, technology and of people today. I never really thought of history as present tense, but merely as only the past.
Great read
August 18, 2017 at 11:42 am
Thanks, Sheleigh, I am looking forward to reading your thoughts as well.
August 19, 2017 at 2:42 pm
I couldn’t agree more with your statement of “History is the study of the past, but history is certainly not about the past.” I enjoyed reading this blog post.
September 1, 2017 at 2:32 pm
Something I feel is intrinsically and subliminally stated through this article, is how far leisure activities and entertainment have come and can now influence peoples lives. It made me think about what was left unstated such as Macbeth had large undertones of social anxiety, lonely and naivete that led to manipulation and greed for power political, social and economic through the pretense of love and encouragement. In Rome & Juliet, to youths find themselves exasperated by the segregation and hate faced on both sides finding consolation in each other they fall in love and out of desperation not to lose each other and without a solution to feuding conflict, they end their chronicles. These playlets introduce entertainment as a beneficial side that can induce cognitive inspiration and enhance the publics view on life, but as we advance further in the article you began to show the darker and more intrusive side these activities have taken in our lives, from distorting historical evidence to fit a plot. Or use a character defamation scandal to sell a product and how this could advance society to a point where corporation could gain a political foothold and began a transition from government run system to a mega corporation/ city state system where our education and even economic status is dependent on what corporation owns the area you live in and all its assets. This an awesome read and a real thought stimulator.
September 4, 2017 at 11:13 am
I have never thought of history as an activity we do. I thought that it was quite interesting and true.
September 6, 2017 at 3:26 pm
Well put, I feel that sometimes when speaking of history to people or friends you almost have to be a magician wowing the crowd and in doing so revive interest in the past. I enjoyed your article, Thank you.