As Americans, we seem to toggle between two opposing attitudes toward history. On one hand, we feel that history is more or less nonsense. The dismissive attitude that engulfs this nation is that of looking toward the future. We focus on looking ahead to unlimited promise and progress. Today educators and professional historians regularly complain about the average American citizen's lack of knowledge about our history. .
On the other hand, the History channel is one of the country's most successful cable TV stations. This is perplexing. Some might suggest that the channel sparks a curiosity in viewers, and then taps into that surge of historical interest. Many historical films have also been well received by the American people. In fact, they have seen enormous popularity. Movies such as Titanic, Braveheart, The Patriot and Gladiator grossed millions of dollars and continue to be watched and talked about. One would think we are almost obsessed with the history of America and the rest of the world.
Historians, however, may argue that public interest in historical programs and movies only proves their point. This is that Americans don't want genuine history, but history packaged as popular entertainment. If you distort the facts, play loosely with accuracy, introduce big time celebrities and invent romantic relationships to drive storylines, then it is much easier for viewers to gain a few historical facts. But does anyone really believe what occurred during the Titianic's cruise actually bears any resemblance to what happens in the film, with its fabricated love story and superficial moralizing? The commercial pressure to entertain a large audience, many historians argue, inevitable leads to caricature and oversimplification. History then becomes just another commodity. In fact, the History channel capitalizes its on its popularity and familiar logo by selling a variety of merchandise, from video tapes to home furnishings.
