The story behind the name... - History Think Blog

frida kahlo sm — Frida Kahlo as Rodin’s The Thinker. Find more Thinkers in the Gallery.

This blog will combine some of my previous writings from defunct sites and continue on with new material. The name was inspired by a piece I read in the New York Times, “China Took Her Husband. She Was Left to Uncover His Secret Cause,” from July of 2023. It told the story of Bei Zhenying, who’s husband, Ruan Xiaohuan, went around China’s firewall and started an illegal blog, Program Think, focusing originally on computer programming issues. As time progressed Ruan increasingly talked about things you don’t talk about in China, like the Tiananmen Square massacre in 1989 and the ways in which Chinese Communist officials have altered the public’s understanding of history. For this treasonous behavior, by Chinese standards, Ruan was arrested and his fate remains unclear. His wife spoke out, for a time, and tried to get some answers, but then she went silent, presumably after the police made it clear that she too might disappear.

The story of this couple is a good reminder of the threat that free thinking and provable facts pose to authoritarian and totalitarian regimes. The people who complain the loudest about “the media” and the need to ban “inappropriate” books, etc., know what they are doing. They know their ideas and their rule cannot survive without repression. I greatly admire those who stand up against such bullying tactics and I am so grateful not to live in a place where I would be forced to make that choice. But, on another level, I also respect how the title of Ruan’s blog was so deceptively complex. It suggests that it is a forum for thoughts about computer programing, but also how we are all programed to think in various ways, by various forces. And it goes deeper still, thinking about the programing we have received and what to do about it.

Unfortunately, there are so many stories like Ruan’s, which we will never even learn about, but at least we can hold on to this one story and help it to not be forgotten. I decided to call this blog, History Think, because it suggests my passion for history and the many different ways we can think about history; as a concept and as a web of people and events. It also pays homage to Ruan’s work, and the bravery demonstrated by him and his wife, and countless others. The Chinese characters above translate to, “Historical Thoughts Blog,” if Google Translate is to be believed. This is similar to the Chinese characters in the header of Ruan’s site, which translate as, “Blog of Programing Thoughts.”

Posts are divided into six categories:

Everyone Calls It Conspiracy

Conspiracy theories thrive on the illusion that a hidden, omnipotent force controls the world. This category aims to dismantle these illusions by debunking popular conspiracy theories and exploring the mindset behind them. The section title comes from the book, “None Dare Call It Conspiracy” (1971), by Gary Allen, which introduced many people to the make-believe world of “what is really going on.” Conspiracy pusher Alex Jones credits the book with being an early influence on him. Allen was a Bircher, a member of the right-wing extremist organization, The John Birch Society, which was so off the deep end that their founder claimed President Eisenhower was a Soviet agent.

Far from being afraid to “call it conspiracy,” there is no shortage of people who are ready to identify everything as a conspiracy and “do their own research” to “prove it.” Posts in this section expose the false facts, flawed logic, and misdirection that always accompany conspiracy “theorizing.” The conspiracy theorist (CTer) mindset is a dangerous one that has led to great savagery. As the philosopher Karl Popper observed in his best-known work, “The Open Society and Its Enemies” (1945), both the extreme right and the extreme left have bought into versions of the nonexistent global conspiracy and killed millions in the name of eradicating it.

By highlighting the complexities of the real world and the inability of anyone to control events in the ways CTers imagine, these posts foster critical thinking and skepticism towards unfounded claims.

Print the Legend

Stories and historical events often become distorted through repeated retellings, turning into commonly accepted “facts” that overshadow the truth. This category delves into these myths and misconceptions, questioning our perceptions and uncovering the realities beneath. These posts explore the true origins of misconceptions like the “Eisenhower Matrix,” which has nothing to do with Eisenhower, and other widely held historical inaccuracies that are too often taken for granted, while encouraging a more nuanced understanding of history.

Read All About It

Understanding the past is only valuable if we can apply its lessons to the present. This category bridges the gap between historical knowledge and current events, offering insights into how historical contexts can illuminate contemporary issues. Whether drawing parallels between past and present or analyzing current events through a historical lens, these posts demonstrate the relevance of history in understanding today’s world.

Gutenberg’s Children

Books have long been a window into the past, offering insights and perspectives that shape our understanding of the world. This category celebrates the written word, exploring significant and noteworthy books, their impact, and the lessons they have to offer.

Visions of Light

Film and visual media offer unique perspectives on historical events, bringing the past to life in vivid detail. This category examines the role of moving pictures in shaping our understanding of history, from historical dramas to documentaries. By analyzing how films represent historical events and their impact on public perception, these posts underscore the power of visual storytelling in educating and miseducating us.

HTB News

Stay updated with the latest developments in the History Think Blog and History Think Bot. This category provides news on new features, improvements, and examples of what you can do with the History Think Bot. From enhanced functionalities to user tips, these posts ensure you get the most out of your interaction with our platform.

In addition to blog posts, this site also features a chatbot, HT Bot or History Think Bot, if you’re not into the whole brevity thing. HT Bot is designed to make history more accessible. Give it a try and let us know what you think!