Roman Krznaric’s book is certainly not written hand to
mouth. It is meticulously researched and eloquently written.
Krznaric’s essential thesis in this book is to present
ideas from the past that may hold keys to how we deal with issues in the
present. The historical events that he chooses at first seem illogical and
unconnected to the modern-day issue. His comparisons are reminiscent of one of
Edward de Bono’s (the Father of Lateral Thinking) exercises in which two
unrelated concepts are thrown together to see how they might inform each other.
For instance, the problem of social media might seem
like an uniquely modern issue. Krznaric shows how an understanding of the
history of the invention and production of the printing press is of benefit
when attempting to tackle the myriad troubles of social media. The treatment of
witches in the 16th and 17th centuries is also presented
as having some lessons for 21st century social media. So too, does
the coffeehouse culture in England from 1650 onwards. (England’s first
coffeehouse is just down the road from where Krznaric live, in Oxford.)
On first glance, none of these – Gutenberg’s printing
press, witch hunts, and coffeehouses – would seem to have much to offer methods
to deal with the difficulties of social media. But Krznaric skilfully shows
that they can.
History For Tomorrow
tackles a number of modern-day issues, from water shortages to genetic
modification, from inequality to artificial intelligence. How can we kick the
consumer habit, or how do we restore faith in democracy? History, as Krznaric
shows, is replete with possible remedies.
Reading this book I was often surprised, and then
delighted, to read of the historical events that Krznaric laid in front of a
present-day issue.
Towards the end of the book Krznaric quotes another
writer, the American author Mark Twain. Twain is often noted for some of his
pithy sayings. In Chapter 9 (of 10) one of those sayings is quoted: ‘History
does not repeat itself, but it often rhymes.’
Roman Krznaric has done an excellent job of
discovering and presenting to us the rhymes of history.
Note:
1. Roman Krznaric, History for Tomorrow: Inspiration from the past for the future of humanity, W H Allen, London, 2024
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