Unsurprisingly, the anniversary just passed has prompted widespread historical reflection among the popular media. More surprising is the fact that much of this thinking has taken the form of virtual, or alternative, or speculative history: musings about what might have happened had 9/11 never occurred or what might still happen as the aftermath of thatContinue reading “9/11 Imagined”
Fame! (I'm Gonna Live Forever) – kevo.com
If you get a chance, check out kevo.com, a new social networking site where users collaboratively profile their favorite celebrities, who are then ranked according to “fame” based on the number and reputation of members contributing to their pages (at least that’s what I gather from the site’s somewhat opaque FAQ pages). Paris Hilton, NatalieContinue reading “Fame! (I'm Gonna Live Forever) – kevo.com”
Talladega Nights
“America is all about speed. Hot, nasty, bad-ass speed” — Eleanor Roosevelt … (epigraph from the new Will Ferrell comedy, Talladega Nights)
(Very Nearly) Fighting Over History in the Ohio Senate
Despite media claims, polling data, and bureaucratic number crunching to the contrary, one of the main contentions of Found History is that people care deeply about history—sometimes to the point of fighting about it. For evidence of this you don’t need to go to Kashmir or Kurdistan or some other far off province where warsContinue reading “(Very Nearly) Fighting Over History in the Ohio Senate”
Back in the Saddle
It’s been nearly a month since my last post—the result of some project deadlines and a monster NEH proposal—but in that time I nevertheless managed to turn up a few hidden histories. Now I should finally have some time to write about them. Check back here in the next couple days for a few freshContinue reading “Back in the Saddle”
Stand-up History
English stand-up comedian Robert Newman builds his act on history. “The History of Oil” is his very funny, very sarcastic, 45-minute-long examination of British and American involvement in the Middle East. From WWI to the current wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, Newman tackles nearly a century of history, taking time out along the way toContinue reading “Stand-up History”
Adults Only
Digg is running a story called “The best way to learn American history.” As a piece of amateur historical work, the link has a place on Found History. However this posting should in no way be construed as an endorsement, and I’m not going to say anything more except surf at your own risk.
Looking for (Digital) History?
This one has been making the rounds, and rightly so. Bill Turkel has posted a very useful and much needed roundup of digital history blogs over at Digital History Hacks. It’s not quite “found” history, but it’s one-stop-shopping for anyone looking for history online. The blogs on Bill’s list run the complete gamut of historyContinue reading “Looking for (Digital) History?”
Classic Toys of the 80s
The past month has seen the reintroduction of at least two classic toy lines of the 1980s. Having finally reached adulthood, having finally attained a certain level of financial and corporate clout, my generation has chosen to mark the achievement with Transformers and Choose Your Own Adventure books. Put in charge of product lines andContinue reading “Classic Toys of the 80s”
Tony likes "History"
The History Boys—Alan Bennett’s play about the meaning, study, and teaching of history in an English grammar school in the 1980s—won six Tony Awards including Best Play, Best Director, and Best Actor at last week’s ceremonies in New York. Get your tickets soon. The play is set to close in September. Late Update (6/27/06): HistoryContinue reading “Tony likes "History"”
