tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7225373.post4152535187423365849..comments2024-02-29T03:34:23.190-05:00Comments on Who Were the Sea Peoples?: "Big" History Versus "Little" Historygcallahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10065877215969589482noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7225373.post-29158021649344261232008-02-24T16:58:00.000-05:002008-02-24T16:58:00.000-05:00"Some shit happened" is freighted with deep, deep ..."Some shit happened" is freighted with deep, deep meaning: far from being vacuous, it implies a universe containing intelligent observers as well as change.Wabulonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16838347174718251102noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7225373.post-76040072780957861372008-02-22T12:06:00.000-05:002008-02-22T12:06:00.000-05:00Bob, you're right that I could have thought this o...Bob, you're right that I could have thought this out more. But maybe my "bad" example turned out to be good, since it forced me to clarify and you to push me for the distinction I was really after -- if I had really chosen a "big picture" example then the confusion would have remained.gcallahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10065877215969589482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7225373.post-14798668050336227442008-02-22T06:32:00.000-05:002008-02-22T06:32:00.000-05:00The ultimate macro history:"Some shit happened."I'...The ultimate macro history:<BR/><BR/>"Some shit happened."<BR/><BR/>I'm sure that's broad enough! Anyone who tries to write about history without discussing people is as bad as those who discuss economics outside the parameters set by the consideration of acting individuals.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7225373.post-62490753252671087762008-02-21T17:42:00.000-05:002008-02-21T17:42:00.000-05:00Well OK, I guess your post makes a lot more sense ...Well OK, I guess your post makes a lot more sense now. But I wish you had had your hypothetical guy pick an abstract description that didn't focus on tiny little processes. That was a very confusing way to showcase a "big picture" explanation, I think.Bob Murphyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04001108408649311528noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7225373.post-66468009542233296932008-02-21T16:51:00.000-05:002008-02-21T16:51:00.000-05:00Yes, Bob -- if you note, that's the "big picture" ...Yes, Bob -- if you note, that's the "big picture" guy talking -- <EM>he</EM> thinks his abstraction is the "big picture." And do you see those scare quotes around "Big" and "Little" in the title? They were there for a reason!gcallahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10065877215969589482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7225373.post-36266179194403493212008-02-21T11:52:00.000-05:002008-02-21T11:52:00.000-05:00No, it's not "big picture" versus "small picture" ...<I>No, it's not "big picture" versus "small picture" that's the real distinction between Diamond/Clark and "real" historians, but abstract/specific.</I><BR/><BR/>My mistake. I was misled by your title, "'Big' History versus 'Little' History," and your characterization of Diamond as a "'big picture' historian."<BR/><BR/>My mistake was further reinforced when you explained your analogy this way:<BR/><BR/><I>When [the wife complains about the answer], he berates her for focusing on the specific details of life, instead of seeing the big picture.</I>Bob Murphyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04001108408649311528noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7225373.post-55859022987904835972008-02-20T18:50:00.000-05:002008-02-20T18:50:00.000-05:00Oh, and yes, I write "big picture" in the post, bu...Oh, and yes, I write "big picture" in the post, but in quotes -- that's what clark and Diamond would say they see, but they are wrong -- they look at a deliberately <EM>abstract</EM> picture, whereas the historian strives towards a <EM>concrete</EM> one. Bob, you're looking at it in terms of <EM>what's important</EM>, but that's orthogonal to my point.gcallahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10065877215969589482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7225373.post-64165248605161578852008-02-20T16:50:00.000-05:002008-02-20T16:50:00.000-05:00No, it's not "big picture" versus "small picture" ...No, it's not "big picture" versus "small picture" that's the real distinction between Diamond/Clark and "real" historians, but abstract/specific. The "metabolim" view is very abstract, whereas "I went to the dry cleaners on Court St. and got my serge sports jacket" is very specific.gcallahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10065877215969589482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7225373.post-73280206111580473092008-02-20T13:38:00.000-05:002008-02-20T13:38:00.000-05:00OK, suppose I hadn't heard the context. You come ...OK, suppose I hadn't heard the context. You come up and say, "Bob, there was this guy who told his wife, 'I metabolized fats and transferred electric charges today.' Now Bob, in fact that day at the office he got fired! What's your reaction?"<BR/><BR/>I would say that this guy is an idiot, for though he made true statements concerning irrelevant minutiae, he skipped the big picture of what happened that day.<BR/><BR/>I.e., your example would lead me to side with the historians you are trying to criticize.<BR/><BR/>The only way to make your analogy work, is to say that you think the "big picture" really is all about metabolizing fats etc., whereas getting fired is just some minor detail.Bob Murphyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04001108408649311528noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7225373.post-24391099540577772802008-02-20T04:53:00.000-05:002008-02-20T04:53:00.000-05:00Most of my life is backwards, but what do you mean...Most of my life is backwards, but what do you mean in this instance?gcallahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10065877215969589482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7225373.post-7000187610875624352008-02-19T14:30:00.000-05:002008-02-19T14:30:00.000-05:00I realize I often criticize you Gene--it's my only...I realize I often criticize you Gene--it's my only hobby--but, umm, isn't your analogy backwards?Bob Murphyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04001108408649311528noreply@blogger.com