I agree with Suzanne; keep on keeping on. I think she is correct you have made more of a difference than you may realize. I think I may have said this before, I heard Steve Ambrose once describe history as story telling. I think it is but the story teller has an obligation to be accurate. You are accurate in your stories. Unfortunately not every one is, and calling out people like the guy you referred to in your post is, in my. opinion, a professional obligation.
In a sense, I am not sure how to respond, partly because I have been playing this online history game since the mid-1990s. As frustrating as things such as Kevin has told us about are, I think we have to continue to engage. Back in the 90s, in the text-based discussion groups that I participated in, I often made the following analogy: Years previous (back in the 80s) biologists refused to engage with creationists (until it was too late) and the result was a rise of what might be called (my terminology) pseudo-scientific creationism, aka "intelligent design." The biology community, not willing to give creationists the standing that an actual debate might concede, ended up conceding the entire <bleeping> playing field. And so we now have entire theme parks in my home state of Kentucky that preach Biblical literalism.
We need to continue to speak out, loudly and honestly, but always backed up by the record. This piece of dung-beetle habitat that Tucker Carlson hosted needs to be responded to, forcefully. I had the pleasure of helping to take down some Holocaust deniers that wanted to speak at the school where I was teaching mathematics in the 1990s. Did it end the cancer that is Holocaust denial? Of course not. But junk like that needs a response, and a vigorous one.
My apologies if I seem to be criticizing our host. I understand his frustration.
I’m all for opening historical dialogues and debunking myths on the Civil War because it’s vital as citizens to have a basic understanding of these events.
That being said, it feels like Azizi is lashing out at historians for essentially not doing enough when it feels, like you said, we can only do so much for those who will listen. Also, maybe Azizi could put some of the blame on media outlets who allow misinformation to occur. More people watch the news than read an academic journal.
At times frustrating, but keep doing what you do. I, and am sure others, appreciate your work and diligence to the correct history being delivered.
I agree with Suzanne; keep on keeping on. I think she is correct you have made more of a difference than you may realize. I think I may have said this before, I heard Steve Ambrose once describe history as story telling. I think it is but the story teller has an obligation to be accurate. You are accurate in your stories. Unfortunately not every one is, and calling out people like the guy you referred to in your post is, in my. opinion, a professional obligation.
Amen. I don't agree with some of your "politics" but your are absolutely and sadly correct here.
In a sense, I am not sure how to respond, partly because I have been playing this online history game since the mid-1990s. As frustrating as things such as Kevin has told us about are, I think we have to continue to engage. Back in the 90s, in the text-based discussion groups that I participated in, I often made the following analogy: Years previous (back in the 80s) biologists refused to engage with creationists (until it was too late) and the result was a rise of what might be called (my terminology) pseudo-scientific creationism, aka "intelligent design." The biology community, not willing to give creationists the standing that an actual debate might concede, ended up conceding the entire <bleeping> playing field. And so we now have entire theme parks in my home state of Kentucky that preach Biblical literalism.
We need to continue to speak out, loudly and honestly, but always backed up by the record. This piece of dung-beetle habitat that Tucker Carlson hosted needs to be responded to, forcefully. I had the pleasure of helping to take down some Holocaust deniers that wanted to speak at the school where I was teaching mathematics in the 1990s. Did it end the cancer that is Holocaust denial? Of course not. But junk like that needs a response, and a vigorous one.
My apologies if I seem to be criticizing our host. I understand his frustration.
JFE
I’m all for opening historical dialogues and debunking myths on the Civil War because it’s vital as citizens to have a basic understanding of these events.
That being said, it feels like Azizi is lashing out at historians for essentially not doing enough when it feels, like you said, we can only do so much for those who will listen. Also, maybe Azizi could put some of the blame on media outlets who allow misinformation to occur. More people watch the news than read an academic journal.
Keep on keepin’ on - you have made more of a difference than you realize.