You are listening to An Ounce, Season 6, Episode 12, Lost History: Whatever Happened When?
It is impressive the volumes of information we have on history. The history of our Nation, our civilization, and our world. Incredible that we can look back hundreds of years and identify, with genealogical records, a single precious but unremarkable person.
But sadly, even in our contemporary world, there are those who have lived and died – and there is no record…no one knows they ever existed.
Recording the now, and holding on to it for reference – looking back on the documentation of the past – well, accuracy in the record is a precarious thing.
Speaking of Precarious Things
In a previous life, I had the responsibility to find the facts concerning destructive and traumatic events. One of the ‘seemingly’ best ways to gather information was to interview those who witnessed the event. But I was amazed how two people could recount the same event in such a remarkably inconsistent manner – so differently from each other. Even if they were standing in the same place at the same time when the event happened. But that was normal.
In fact – if recollections were too similar, there was a question that they may be lying about what happened. So - understanding that determining what happened a few minutes or days ago can be a little tough, can you imagine how the variations can be magnified over time – especially when the physical evidence is unavailable or lost.
Need proof of my assertions - Just ask an older couple what color the flowers were at their wedding. Better yet – after two folks have listened to a Politician speak for 10 minutes – ask them what the Politician said.
Now, let’s apply that understanding to the past. Obviously, humans kept written accounts, diaries, journals, notes, letters, and official records. Well – if they thought about it… and knew how to write.
But therein rests 3 problems: (1) If they could write it down - What did they experience, what was their perspective, and how accurate is their record? (2) If they couldn’t write - how was something recalled over time, and through generations? How much does the story change? And (3) how many details were not recorded or remembered - because at the time – they weren’t noticed or didn’t seem to matter?
But wait – we’ve got video evidence now-days. Yes, we do. And it can be super helpful. However, even the clearest recording (audio and video) can be interpreted more than one way – and will not contain the sometimes highly relevant context of what happened outside the camera's view, and in the moments, hours, days, or weeks, prior to the event in question.
Lack of context can make kindness look like torture, knowledge seem as ignorance, and truth appear to be a lie.
Hey! What D’ Ya’ Know?
So – is anything really knowable? Sure – but not everything.
There are something things that are very consistent. When water gets cold enough is freezes, the law of gravity is real, the sun does rise, airplanes can fly, and chocolate is awesome … well it is to me.
But when it comes to things like history – well that’s where stuff gets a little fuzzy (kinda like new math).
There are those who have declared that 97% of history is lost. It seems a large but believable number, and is probably just an arbitrary guess.
For example:
Was there ever an Atlantis? And if so, what was it really like?
And, what’s up with the “Great Inconformity”? That massive missing billion or so years of geological history that appears in the earth’s crust some 550 million years ago?
Did Nero really “fiddle” while Rome burned? Did he own a fiddle?
And what about the Bible? Did that guy Moses literally part the red sea? And by the way – Who lost those other 10 tribes of Israel?
Is the government telling us the truth about the JFK assassination or any of that other stuff like…? – well, pick your own favorite conspiracy.
And finally, what really happens to that one sock that goes into the dryer, never to be seen again?
Perhaps I am wrong to think this way, but when historians claim they actually know exactly what was in the mind of some long past historical figure at a crucial time – well, I’ve gotta laugh a little.
So … Here’s An Ounce - from our brief view of the gaps and inaccuracies in human history
And, just as with any story, there are many little “ounce sized nuggets of wisdom” to be uncovered. For now, might I suggest just this one -
When someone tells you that they know exactly what happened, that they have the unvarnished truth, give them a chance – but be an optimistic skeptic. Based on my observations, what we think we know changes over time, but someone else could see it differently
Said another way – a true expert on a subject, at least one that can be trusted, is one who has realized they really don’t know much about that subject.
And, that’s it. An Ounce, submitted for your consideration.