You Expect Truth When You Learn History: An Historian's Subjective Feelings Might Distort Presentation of Objective Events

                                                     DG Farnsworth

When you first learn history in grade school, you expect the truth. At times a version of history may not be fair because the historian favors one description of the event above the others. The reason for the history scholar's misleading account might be because it's consistent with his own system of beliefs. In other words, his subjective feelings might distort his presentation of objective events.

Cultural Bias

Cultural bias can affect a historian's objectivity. English historian E.H. Carr suggests that a reader should first examine a historian before studying his version of past events. For years a number of schools in the South downplayed the cruelty of slavery; they declared that slave owners acted kindly toward their human property. Slaveholders' misleading accounts of reality were a product of their cultural bias. Even in 2012 a Tennessee Tea Party group demanded that state lawmakers change textbooks for school curricula. The group insisted that history's portrayal of minorities doesn't veil the contributions or involvement of the Founding Fathers.

Religious Beliefs

Biblical historians may strive to influence your conduct today -- by changing past impressions. These history authorities let religious beliefs and moral opinions about life contaminate objectivity. For example, members of distinct religions desire people outside their culture to view Jesus Christ's dying on the cross from their own perspective. Their own cultural bias of history expects others to revere and glorify him. In 2010 the Texas State Board of Education, headed by conservative fundamentalist Christians, revised their textbook history policy. The board struck down amendments that emphasized teaching the usefulness of the separation of church and state. Submitted textbooks for Texas public schools are based on the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills. A watchdog group tracking fair-rights issues discovered religious bias in social studies textbooks. Inaccuracies include that Solomon and Moses influenced America's democracy; and that the Jewish people consider Jesus Christ a prominent prophet.

Impressionistic Political Views

Trying to affect your behavior by redefining history can be applied to political and social issues. A history scholar's fundamental beliefs can also taint fair or objective explanations, interpretations and descriptions from a political and social perspective. For example, in What Things May Affect a Historian's Objectivity, C. McCullagh states that a Marxist historian may characterize a revolt as a class struggle; yet, classes were not a factor in the revolution in any way. But the Marxist historian might view all historical revolts as class struggles, even if class weren't a factor -- just as a fundamentalist Christian might conceive the Earth as only 6,000 years old, contrary to geological evidence. Controlling the tendency toward a subjective viewpoint is difficult for historians.

Misinterpretation of Facts

Philosopher Neil Munro -- Pathways to Philosophy website -- suggests subjectivity is opposite of objectivity. A subjective approach requires historians to access the minds of those whose history they write. When a historian tries to realize how someone from another era thinks, he makes far too many cultural and language assumptions. Objectivity is easily lost in translation and misinterpretation of customs from another time period.

Gender relations are subject to interpretive assumptions by bias historians.This includes the idea that patriarchy is the natural human arrangement. Historians may dismiss any evidence of ancient female-led societies -- assuming that male dominance is biological and male-structured societies are the norm. Munro suggests historians who emphasize that their job is not simply to record facts but interpret them, are by definition adopting a subjective approach. McCullagh warns that historians often lose sight of objectivity through misinterpretation -- particularly evidence. He says a history writer may bring up evidence inferring a particular incident happened, but omit important facts proving it's impossible.

Wesleyan University: What Things May Affect a Historian's Objectivity: C. McCullagh; January 2011

http://www.uio.no/studier/emner/hf/iakh/HIS4010/h11/undervisningsmateriale/HIS4010_McCullagh.pdf

Pathways to Philosophy: Objectivity in History; Neil Munro; November 2014

http://www.philosophypathways.com/essays/munro1.html

USU 1320: History and Civilization: History and What-Really-Happened; Damen; 2013

http://www.usu.edu/markdamen/1320hist&civ/chapters/01HIST.htm

Huffington Post: Tea Party Groups In Tennessee Demand Textbooks Overlook U.S. Founder's Slave-Owning History: Trymaine Lee; July 2012

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/23/tea-party-tennessee-textbooks-slavery_n_1224157.html

The Washington Post: Proposed Texas textbooks are inaccurate, biased and politicized, new report finds; Valerie Strauss; September 2014

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/answer-sheet/wp/2014/09/12/proposed-texas-textbooks-are-inaccurate-biased-and-politicized-new-report-finds/

DeColonizing Our History: The Myth of Ancient Patriarchy; Mimi Yahn

http://decolonizingourhistory.com/histories-2/half-the-human-race/myth-of-ancient-patriarchy/

No Female Characters in Movies Today: Only Men's Ideas of Them

                                                   DG Farnsworth

The Only Female Characters in Movies Today Are Men's Ideas of Them

Isn’t it sexist to say “strong female character?” What makes any character compelling are flaws. To add the word “female” infers a distinction between strong female and male characters. A strong female character entails curiosity, goals, intention, and strength in vulnerability and flaws. Angelina Jolie frequently appears so tough and sure of herself that it becomes banal.

The strong character attempts to take an active role and control her life. The female isn’t a victim of circumstance but the story’s driving force, and doesn’t sit back while another takes charge. The strong character possesses something intangible, making her strong.

Annoying writers try to develop strong female characters by masculinism: putting the woman in a male stereotypical position, combined with a bad ass attitude (for example, Megan Fox’s character is a sexy mechanic specialist; or, the woman outdrinks the male).

Love interest and damsel in distress characters regularly remain solely to motivate the primary male characters, possibly to propel the plot. There’s nothing wrong with a strong female character caring about her hair or being a girlfriend if she retains a strong inner characteristic. Making a female character strong just so that she’s a greater prize in the end for the story’s male hero is never appropriate. 

Sometimes men in movies fear their power can be diminished by women who are independent, successful, and ambitious; and will avoid their type to not appear weaker or less significant. Manufactured strong female characters tend to settle because of an inability to find an equal male desiring their company. Supposedly strong female character Megan Fox in “Transformers” with hot model looks and wonderful in every way ends-up with unemployed loser Shia La Beouf. Why?

Amazon: DG Farnsworth Books, Biography, Blog, Audiobooks, etc.

HISTORICAL FICTION: Bombastic Gadflies by DG Farnsworth

                                                        DG Farnsworth

                              HISTORICAL FICTION: Bombastic Gadflies

Bombastic Gadflies

This well-researched novel falls in the category of historical fiction: it reveals Kentucky political history and presents real historical figures alongside fictitious characters. What makes the novel most noteworthy and newsworthy: this congressman pocketed the largest pool of money of any departing member of Congress, free to take his campaign chest by not running for office. In the House probe of check writers, this U.S congressional representative still remains among the worst abusers of the House Bank overdraft system scandal -- guilty of 83 bad checks. The book blends imagination to portray ideas, attitudes, and tendencies of my life with a corrupt U.S. Republican congressman and his daughter. And while "fiction," I rarely stray far from the essence of the truth observed, myself, or experienced from the mouth of the congressman's daughter...

Congress in November of 1989 prohibited House members from pocketing any campaign money when they left office. However, there was a loophole: those in the House since January 8, 1980 could keep the money if they left Congress by 1992. Carey Lucas’ term ran through 1992 -- first elected in 1978. Most of the PAC money was derived from special-interest contributors -- those that would gain/lose from federal legislation. All during his Kentucky gubernatorial campaign, Lucas repeatedly promised he would not keep the campaign  PAC money for personal use...and to those questioning the former congressman about it, he quipped, "My word is good enough to dispel doubt." (Taking money became an "option" when he decided he wouldn’t seek reelection to Congress...then, ran for Kentucky governor.)

The Kentucky congressman who inspired Bombastic Gadflies repeatedly reported to the public that George Herbert Walker Bush urged him to run for governor...and he used the same "Reagan Bible of Distress" that helped George Herbert Walker Bush win the presidential election: This political period reflects a watershed moment in America's political history; where we witness the inception of the tactics, mudslinging, etc. -- taking the focus off the issues -- that currently remain the norm in politics today .Personally, I had been reluctant to release the book. As a  roman à clef -- or autobiographical fiction -- the novel mirrors much of my life. I wrote it before I wrote my second novel -- the more creative, imaginative Superstar Passage The Reincarnation of Karen Carpenter. Basically, Bombastic Gadflies consists of  more "autobiographical" material...and yes, imagination comes into play. But this book is defined as more "imaginative" by the stringing together of my actual life events -- and the Kentucky gubernatorial race between my (former) best friend's dad (US congressman) and the millionaire horse breeder -- to make a cohesive, entertaining "fictional" portrayal...

I wrote this book over 10 years ago...rewrote it at least four times. In the the final edit, I removed a substantial portion of the novel -- re-arranged it from top to bottom. The final edition maintains an anorexia nervosa theme -- modeled after the Anorexia Multiforme research of Montreal mentor psychiatrist Dr. Vincenzo Di Nicola.

SYNOPSIS
The menu needed altered severely. Not fit to consume or eat: that's how folks viewed the politics served to them in Kentucky. Candidates didn't level with the people. Dishing out negative advertising throughout the campaign sickened voters. Forking over the most massive helpings of money -- the key ingredient -- enabled a Carey Lucas and Hayward Thomas primary victory. A diet of deceit and greed -- consumed by the congressman and his daughter, Myra (the apple does not fall far from the tree)...

The congressman's daughter and best friend, Royce VanArsdale, lead exciting, rich, tumultuous lives in the Bluegrass of Kentucky's thoroughbred horse-racing world. Royce VanArsdale and Leila Nichols share a rich lifelong history of eccentric, family secrets among the Bluegrass elite. Their friendship tears apart as the congressman's daughter weaves a web of deceit and lies. US Congressman Carey Lucas pockets the largest pool of money of any departing member of Congress -- $700-thousand -- free to take his campaign chest by not running for office. Corruption of the Highest Order.

Congressman Carey Lucas' actions reflect one of the reasons why the public holds Congress in such low esteem: it validates their concern that there are a lot of people who get into politics to benefit themselves financially. The money, contributed expressly for a congressional election campaign, was not deemed to be a special-interest pension fund. By running for governor against the millionaire horse breeder, Congressman Lucas was able to pocket that money (by not seeking another congressional term).

The US representative broke the repeated promise he made while running for governor -- to "not keep any of that money." The former congressman -- at one time the third highest ranking member on the Armed Services Committee -- pocketed what remained of his congressional campaign fund...bad politics, bad taste, and bad for the Republican party. The congressman misleads the public with press releases -- including remarks about a missing Lexington pilot in Iraq during the Persian Gulf War (misinformation used to unethically benefit his campaign).

Protagonist Royce VanArsdale, along with assorted characters, fight anorexic behavior -- struggling to tame a fight for perfection, demanded by extremely wealthy and successful families who often expect too much. The politics, itself (along with substance) is purely anorectic….

Is So Much Swearing in Novels Necessary?

So often in literature today swearing is somewhat lazy -- the easy way out -- and intended to sensationalize. Of course in Hemingway's "A Farewell to Arms" swearing proves realistic during a war. But then one could argue that it's not all about a writer's word choice but realizing his characters and situations well -- which indicates the language they use. The writer can't make choices about character expression independent of the character's own reality. Swearing in context can enhance a novel and give it the intended reality of the author. But can't one describe the faces of their characters, or depict the hatred of one character for another, and make a clear indication how insulting a fight/argument is between characters without swearing? A writer can offer a description of a character as dirty-mouthed without spelling out the swear words in a given situation.

A reader finds the C-word in D.H. Lawrence's "Lady Chatterley's Lover." But he employs the word in a manner that makes it a good word. Lawrence isn't trying to provoke the reader with the word...be negative about it...but illustrate how characters using the word revealed their sexual passion. Swearing has to reflect the tone and voice to be necessary. While a writer needs to use some self restraint with swearing in novels, he can't back away from the reality people swear, either. Isn't word choice and diction a totally imperative element of style? I just don't think one can reach literature's higher heights with swearing.

Isn't swearing the likely initial resort of the inarticulate?

I suppose it is a universal concept that so many find swearing offensive. Otherwise, it wouldn't be blanked out so often in assorted media. And yes, swearing may prove useful for strong characterization if appropriate--along with reflecting one more facet of man's character, which all relate to. Literature is about telling the truth. It sort of comes down to common decency: consideration for the sensitive folks (you really don't want to upset those folks turned-off by swearing in print). Although we all agree vulgarity for vulgarity's sake merely offers cheap shock value, the writer still retains the freedom to express himself however he wants.

Swearing basically involves a writer's diction choice and in reality has nothing to do with offending someone or not. It's okay if the writer uses the diction (swearing) appropriately to get his meaning across. In essence, a writer doesn't want to create reader displeasure with swearing's mere shock value. But he also should not totally avoid swearing if deemed appropriate to the subject...unless writing escapist literature. Or for the sake of argument...would it really even be about "escapism?" Maybe literature without swearing reaches the higher heights of literature by designing something greater than duplicating every detail of daily life. Personally, I think the real optimal idea behind good literature is to allow the reader a view that reaches beyond daily life. Perhaps a writer should give his characters much more than realism--an imaginative realism that makes them a lot more real than real. Doesn't that make good art?

Bombastic Gadflies Novel "Blurb"

                                                   DG Farnsworth         
                                                                    
Bombastic Gadflies

Roman a clef (or autobiographical fiction: actual persons or events disguised as fiction) is a potent way to heal the injured mind: you tell without telling. It's therapeutic and touches readers in the same way.

"The father is always a Republican toward his son, and his mother’s always a Democrat" (poet Robert Frost).

"…self starvation expresses hostility, control and aggression toward the family….anorexia nervosa as a struggle for differentiation, identity and self-respect…pointed to defective parenting. Such ideas are now generally accepted as plausible, yet remain unproven" (Vincenzo F. DiNicola)

Myra's dad pockets the largest pool of PAC money of any departing member of Congress, $700-thousand (through a loophole)--by not seeking another congressional term... running for governor, instead. Until the Kentucky governor's race the 13-year Republican congressman's life was never examined with such scrutiny. Congressman Lucas remained one of the biggest abusers of the House Bank's routinely covering overdrafts for insufficient funds--$300-thousand.

Myra's father bought her a horse in fourth grade. She spent her whole life at the barn with it. He bought her a horse because he wanted his kids to grow up around animals or in that kind of environment, rather than in front of a drugstore. But Myra Lucas always acted somewhat twisted, and she had a keen capability of twisting everyone and everything around her.

Myra and her best friend (and neighbor), Royce, worked innumerable horse farms together. He stayed amazed at her ability to get others to clean her stall...feed for her later, or whatever the task. The Persian Gulf war beckoned their racetrack buddy, Stan Winthrop, to play a major role as a pilot. He was missing in Iraq. Persian Gulf remarks about Royce and Myra's lost friend often acted as free publicity for US Representative Carey Lucas, the ranking Republican member of the House Armed Services Committee.

Royce introduced Myra (and lost her) to his lifelong overweight friend, Leila (the wealthy daughter of his mother's eccentric best friend [who both shared dark secrets]). Leila's parents built an extravagant home in Lexington, but was not allowed reside with them and her anorexic sister. Leila was too fat and destroyed the beauty of her "beautiful" family. The things Royce, Myra, and Leila felt successful about their extremely successful parents acted like—is that it?

Like other anorexic nervosa patients, Royce felt the only way he could live was through other people—and viewed that as his justification for being around. The taking away of food (to end his life) was the result of the battle. His fight remained one that starved not only the body but also his soul. He often thought, "How could he be of importance to anyone when he hadn’t made the world perfect for all involved?" Royce VanArsdale began unraveling the biggest lie of his life in California with the VanArsdales....who along with his mother all played a role in the deception.

Myra's dad couldn’t beat his millionaire-horse-breeder opponent politically in the governor's race, but he was going to beat him on the racetrack in the Kentucky Derby… so he thought. But Myra had other ideas.
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