People have to have a language to speak about where they are and what other possible futures are available to them.
Stuart HallRead
The older I get the more I'm convinced that it's the purpose of politicians and journalists to say the world is very simple, whereas it's the purpose of historians to say, 'No! It's very complicated.' _x000D_ _x000D_ The job of the historian is to help give people a sense of existence in time, without which we are really not fully human.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote emphasizes the complexity of understanding the world as opposed to oversimplified narratives provided by politicians and journalists.
David Cannadine's quote suggests that while politicians and journalists often reduce complex issues to simple messages for clarity and persuasion, historians unveil the intricate realities of our past that shape our present and future. This deeper understanding enriches our sense of identity and humanity, as it connects us to the broader narrative of history and existence.
Themes
HistoryComplexityUnderstandingHumanityNarrative
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about the importance of education, one could use this quote to highlight the role of historians in understanding our complex world.
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