Host: Dr. John Fontaine AI Co-Host: ANI (Artificial Narrow Intelligence)
In this episode, Dr. John and ANI tackle the "Positionality Paradox." If every historian is biased by their own surroundings, how can we ever reach a "better" history? We move away from History from Above—the grand narratives of elites and winners—and dive into History from Below. Using the analogy of E.H. Carr’s fishmonger, we explore why the "Chef" (the historian) matters more than the "Fish" (the stories we have been told). We also trace the roots of biased history back to the 5th Century BCE to see how the "Success Node" model has been used for over 2,000 years.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Positionality: The social and political context that creates the lens through which we view the world. In history, it is the "baggage" a researcher carries that influences which stories they tell and how they tell them.
- History from Above: Historical narratives focused on elites, leaders, and "Great Men." These stories often create a Grand Narrative to justify the status quo or national development.
- History from Below (Social History): A field of history—gaining massive momentum in the 1960s—that focuses on the lived experiences of everyday people, marginalized groups, and "small" daily decisions rather than state policy.
- Success Nodes: A linear model of history that connects "victories" (won wars, acquired land) into a clean line of progress, often ignoring the "messy" reality or the "lost" perspectives of the time.
- Hagiography: Traditionally the writing of the lives of saints; in a modern sense, it refers to biography or history that is uncritical and treats its subject as flawless or heroic.
The "Chef & The Fish" Framework
"The facts are like fish on a fishmonger’s slab. The historian collects them, takes them home, and cooks them in whatever style they prefer." — E.H. Carr
Dr. John argues that to find "Better History," we must audit the Chef, and start with ourselves. Our personal biases are the recipe. If we do not acknowledge our own positionality, we can not hope to then understand our past—we are just "cooking" the facts to fit our present needs.
Sources & References
- E.H. Carr: What is History? (1961). The foundational text for the "Fishmonger" analogy.
- George Iggers: Historiography in the Twentieth Century. (Concept: The Prison of Context).
- Herodotus & Thucydides (5th Century BCE): The "Elite Source Code."
- Reference: A.R. Burn, The Pelican History of Greece.
- Reference: James Romm, The Landmark Herodotus.
- Marc Bloch: The Historian's Craft. (Concept: Understanding the "Present" to understand the "Past").
- Social History Revolution (1960s): The shift from political/military (History from Above) to the history of common people and daily life (History from below).
Homework: The Three Foundational Questions
In preparation for the Episode 4 Workshop, Dr. John challenges you to answer these three questions to begin considering what your own biases may be:
- What do you believe? (Pick something fundamental: Free will? Progress? An Afterlife?)
- What current-day "storms" are affecting your vision? (Political, economic, or social pressures).
- Whose side are you on? (Who do you truly protect—a nation, a family, a group?)
Connect with the Show
- Website: HistoryIsUnreal.ca
- Support the Research: consider a donation to keep this independent podcast alive; and visit our sponsors, leave a comment on the site.
- Subscribe: Available on all major podcast platforms.
- Academic Services: fontaineacademicservices.ca
- Follow and subscribe to ensure you don't miss our upcoming episodes.
Music Credits
- Track: Violin Concerto in F minor, RV 297 'Winter' (The Four Seasons)
- Composer: Antonio Vivaldi
- Performed by: The Modena Chamber Orchestra
- Source: Musopen.org
- License: Creative Commons Attribution 3.0
"History is not factual; it is interpretive, and it is messy. Keep questioning the teller."
