Historical Value - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

littlemanpoet · 05-31-2002, 08:29 PM

It comes down to what we value. The (Edwardian) hobbits of the Shire, reflecting a late 19th century sensibility, valued community, family, knowledge, oh, and food. We value the new rights (right of privacy, right to know, equality of opportunity)- and take for granted the old. These new rights point to what is most important to us. History is not among them because it serves no utilitarian purpose in terms of what we value. Mind you, I speak of us rich, fat, lazy and short-sighted Americans in general. I took a BA in History because I love it. It has done me next to nothing in terms of employment. Just as well. Tolkien could not have written a stupid American Frodo. Obviously. Now THAT might make an interesting fantasy story. I'll be it's beendone before.

05-31-2002, 08:29 PM	#4
littlemanpoet Itinerant Songster Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: The Edge of Faerie Posts: 7,066	It comes down to what we value. The (Edwardian) hobbits of the Shire, reflecting a late 19th century sensibility, valued community, family, knowledge, oh, and food. We value the new rights (right of privacy, right to know, equality of opportunity)- and take for granted the old. These new rights point to what is most important to us. History is not among them because it serves no utilitarian purpose in terms of what we value. Mind you, I speak of us rich, fat, lazy and short-sighted Americans in general. I took a BA in History because I love it. It has done me next to nothing in terms of employment. Just as well. Tolkien could not have written a stupid American Frodo. Obviously. Now THAT might make an interesting fantasy story. I'll be it's beendone before.