Biased Pop History

Old Virginia Blog ^ | 01/02/2009 | Richard G. Williams, Jr.

[Davy Buck]

"Objectivity is impossible and it is also undesirable. That is, if it were possible it would be undesirable, because if you have any kind of a social aim, if you think history should serve society in some way; should serve the progress of the human race; should serve justice in some way, then it requires that you should make your selection on the basis of what you think will advance causes of humanity." ~ Howard Zinn (One of academia's favorite historians.)

[Mad Dawg]

In other words, one's opinions should not be based on or influenced by facts. One should choose facts to suit one's prejudices.

And of course, most of us think it's nice to be nice. So we will "choose away" from facts that suggest that if we're nothing but nice we'll all be first broke and then dead.

And the populace will be edumicaated in such a way that they THINK their opinions are reasonably formed while they are in "fact", nothing but the expression of their teachers' prejudices.

FURTHER, there is a fundamentally "dialectically materialistic" presupposition here, one which acting on the argument will tend to cause to appear to be true, namely: there is no reason as such, there is only rationalization of the quest for power. (If we don't use reaason to try to determine the truth, we will ultimately appear not to be reasonable.) AND: Man is not the rational animal, he is the animal who, like most other animals, seeks power, but is unique in that he lies to himself about doing so.

BLA-A-A-A-AT! I don't THINK so.

For if it is true, then this academic's supposed argument is not mean to be true but only to make hum powerful. That is, if it's true, its being so is unimportant.

For THIS we give tax and other money to schools of so-called "higher" learning?

[potlatch]

Could you repeat that?

[ClearCase_guy]

Truthfully, I wouldn't mind so much if history books (and others) contained a one page viewpoint summation at the front. If the authors want to declare:

1) We support one world government.
2) We oppose the influence of Judeo-Christian culture in modern society.
3) We believe ownership of private property is morally wrong.

Then have at it. Go the parents and the school committees and say, "Please spend $50,000 buying this book."

I do not disagree that there is always bias. My problem is that the authors try so hard to HIDE their bias -- because they know that no one would buy the product if the people really KNEW what it was they were buying.

[Davy Buck]

“My problem is that the authors try so hard to HIDE their bias — because they know that no one would buy the product if the people really KNEW what it was they were buying.”

Exactly!

[Blind Eye Jones]

"Objectivity is impossible and it is also undesirable."

At one time this question was open for serious debate and now it has become dogma. “The only truth is that there is no truth” is handed down as an absolute certainty without the least bit of thought. Revativitism and PC closed mindedness has shut down free inquiry and has sapped the benefits of a liberal education. Liberal education is no longer about enriching the mind, experiencing greatness or something outside our immediate culture that allows us to judge our culture but, rather, its about adopting a lens to view all values as equal because the greatest questions about values have now been answered and activity is now called for to implement social and political justice. Activism is called for, not thought. History is in need of active correction too. Questions about the good life are archaic -- post modernism has all the answers needed... just trust your profs.

[dbz77]

In other words, one's opinions should not be based on or influenced by facts. One should choose facts to suit one's prejudices.

That pretty much sums up the Holocaust denial campaign.

[Nuc1]

It’s not history if it’s opinion. Quit being propaganda promulgators!

[SisterK]

The Unseen Hand is an old history book, from a different angle.

[Mad Dawg]

Could you repeat that?

You mean WITH the typos, or without?

[potlatch]

[You mean WITH the typos, or without? ]

Lol, well you could always add a few more for ‘interest’ sake!!

[SunkenCiv]

Objectivity is impossible and it is also undesirable.

Has anyone mentioned to Pandora that someone just opened her box?

[allmendream]

Postmodernism: The contradictory belief that there is no “privileged” view, and that any opinion, however uninformed, is just as “valid”, that all views are equal; except for the view that there IS an objective reality and an informed opinion is better than an ignorant one, that is to be hated and despised.

There is no privileged viewpoint except the view that there is no privileged viewpoint.

[Nuc1]

Indeed.

[Blind Eye Jones]

“There is no privileged viewpoint except the view that there is no privileged viewpoint.”

And they know this is horsesh*t, but everything has become terribly political.