Cleopatra's nose and the last straw

   During a discussion about the political events surrounding us at the moment I recalled a book I read for 'A' level history. It was entitled 'What is History' by E. H. Carr. He was considered a real rebel in his time (book published 1961, that's not when I read it I hasten to add!) as his view of what makes history was very different. He was possibly the first historian to declare that 'facts' are only considered to be so because they have been given a status by other historians and have become part of our accepted culture. He was very much of the mind that this did not mean that particular pieces of information/facts when placed together provide an objective view, independent of bias. To him accuracy was in 'fact' anathema since historians select and interpret information and write accordingly.
   In our age we are much more open to questioning and it is very obvious that 'facts' we are presented with on the news in particular are indeed carefully filtered to serve an agenda. We are used to hearing the propaganda of each 'side' in an argument - be that at work, at play or in politics and economic debate in the social arena. The tabloid newspapers scream headlines believing that he who shouts loudest must be most 'right', in the process buying into and emphasising people's fears.
   Yet, when we read Carr's book we are reminded that history is indeed just a 'story'. Not only is it compiled by human beings who cannot help but see life through the lens of their own experience and cultural background but also much of what occurs seems quite random. Carr suggests for example that had Cleopatra's nose been crooked, Antony would not have fallen in love with her and the fate of both the Roman Empire and Egypt may have been very different.
   It is well worth bearing this in mind as we are bombarded by events in the news. With warring factions destroying nations, our western leaders are banging on about national interests around the globe that give us the right to dictate terms to others. Their childish, knee jerk reactions have the potential to plunge us into a hellish scenario and all in the name of peace! Looking at the story as it unfolds we must remind ourselves that there is no such thing as 'truth' - what we are shown and told is just a version of selected material.
   When we really consider history not only is it a particular version of events with an agenda (hidden or overt) but it is often, as in life in general, the little things that cause the major eruptions. Returning to the theme of things Egyptian - the straw that breaks the camel's back is just that one tiny almost weightless stem. Do not therefore add to the load by buying into the drama!