History is Events, People, Places, and Themes. That seems clear enough to most readers of history. What is less obvious and often missed is the meaning of Events, People, Places, and Themes, and thus the meaning of history. Many feel that in just mapping such elements and knowing where things fit chronologically, we have history. Nothing could be further from the truth. In such an outlook we have not really discovered history.
Rorty Music: Nihilism but beyond it Fallen leaves in the night on the stable sea tide... I could feel at the time There was no way of knowing Fallen leaves in the night Who can say where they're blowing? As free as the wind Hopefully learning Why the sea...
Schools and education policy “It has become commonplace to remark that historians of education have become less interested in schools and schooling, and more interested in a wider range of educational institutions, not to mention education that takes place...
David French’s article in The Atlantic (October 14, 2022) is an interesting analysis on 'The Trump' phenomena. French connects Trumpism to the Mitt Romney martyr thesis on events of 2012, and, behind that pattern of behaviour, a right-wing version of American...
What is this “conservative constant” that John Howard talks about? It is fortuitous that this month, at my book club, we are reading Edith Wharton’s The Age of Innocence. I certainly would not defend that version of American modernism, however, its critique of...
My new sociological model. Politicians and bureaucrats at the top, bottom-thinking in a tight bubble of a worldview, and thinking well of their 'success'. The public frustrated at policy failure. And policy researchers and developers in the squeeze of being...
"History and historians play a crucial role in Australian culture. They are foundational to other fields in the arts, with historical research often underpinning film, theatre, literature and even, on occasion, dance. A government serious about implementing a cultural...
“…it's one of these moments where you feel like an era has come to an end and the world is a little emptier,” so spoke the wisdom of Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles, on the occasion of the passing of Olivia Newton-John. In a matter of only a few days, two...
The breeze is blowing. What will come With the wind? Passing memories Of you, love. The crest of The day. Light has gone. And thoughts turn to you. I sigh. What is there to be, I said Conversations have Past, and now The silence of the...
You have to ask American Senator Ted Cruz, who's propaganda is he and the gun lobby defending? Do we ennoble savagery, and do we falsify civility? These are the questions for the times, and it goes to exceptionalism for personal and national conceit. Exceptionalism is...