How reliable is the History Channel?
Printed From: History Community ~ All Empires
Category: All Empires Community
Forum Name: Modern Culture
Forum Discription: Discussions on modern literature, visual arts and music
URL: http://www.allempires.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=21400
Printed Date: 27-Apr-2024 at 21:35
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Topic: How reliable is the History Channel?
Posted By: Malik
Subject: How reliable is the History Channel?
Date Posted: 24-Aug-2007 at 17:44
| Ive heard people mentioning that alot of the stuff on HC is unreliable and inaccurate.How many of you feel the same way?DO any of you watch the HC? |
Replies:
Posted By: what_is_history
Date Posted: 24-Aug-2007 at 18:31
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This is a good question. I had a professor who called it, "The Popular Culture Channel." I think it depends on the program. Usually they just show a bunch of crap called "Modern Marvels" or "Ice Road Truckers." I actually don't like the History Channel all that much to be honest. ------------- "It aint what you don't know that gets you in trouble; it's what you know for sure that just ain't so." -Mark Twain |
Posted By: elenos
Date Posted: 24-Aug-2007 at 21:37
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When the programs are good they are very good and when bad they are awful!
------------- elenos |
Posted By: Penelope
Date Posted: 24-Aug-2007 at 22:05
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The channel sometimes showcases interesting programs, most of which only contain skepticism other than actual facts. But that isnt necessarily bad, it just encourages me to learn more on my own. The same goes for other channels. |
Posted By: Justinian
Date Posted: 24-Aug-2007 at 22:05
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^^^ Very accurate assessment. I would say the history channel, when it is actually showing something on history, is good for basic information. If you want to learn about something in detail you should look elsewhere.
Edit: I was referring to Elenos' statement but it applies to penelope's as well. ------------- "War is a cowardly escape from the problems of peace."--Thomas Mann 
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Posted By: elenos
Date Posted: 25-Aug-2007 at 00:09
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Thank you Justinian, Penelope's view was much better written than mine. I like to see the critical view, rather than stay totally accepting. Skepticism is medicine for those who like to question everything. I had a friend who used to take me to evenings where they played the hardest of hard core Christian fundamentalist videos that you would never get to see on history TV. I liked them because they they were built on narrow but well thought out perspectives and showed points I had never questioned before. ------------- elenos |
Posted By: Constantine XI
Date Posted: 25-Aug-2007 at 00:19
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The thing I don't like about the history channel is their inability to present their information sequentially, in an order that furthers discussion of the underlying topic of investigation. They will in one particular episode go from one topic, to another, to another, in no particular order and in a way which does not evidence a particular argument.
Just like writing a real research report, they need to present their information sequentially and in a way that related back to the original topic of investigation. ------------- |
Posted By: kasper
Date Posted: 25-Aug-2007 at 00:22
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I usually find that History International has much better programming than the History Channel. But that isn't saying much. ------------- |
Posted By: Aelfgifu
Date Posted: 25-Aug-2007 at 03:16
We do not have the history channel here, but we do have Discovery and National Geographic Channel, and they too have some history programmes, which I suppose are close in level and quality as the History Channel.
In my experience, what they tend to do is to take a subject, and then take the easiest/most obvious/most interesting sounding explanation for it, and bring this as the absolute thruth. So they are in general not very wrong (although I have heard some pretty amazing f-ups... Like emperor Augustus being called so because he conquered Egypt in that month....! ), but they are increadibly singe minded. No discussion or debates are taken into account, no alternative theories, no changes of perspective. And in a branch of study like history, taking account of different theories is vital!
Another thing is the circular reasoning that is all to common. I saw a doc on Stonehenge, and after an hour of mediocre scholarship, the conclusion was that the people who build it were not primitive at all.....  Well yeah, duh! They built the damn thing, didn't they? Does that in itself not prove they were not that primitive? That is pretty much the basis you started out from, and now it is also the conclusion! Come on! Do they think I am stupid or what?  ------------- 
Women hold their councils of war in kitchens: the knives are there, and the cups of coffee, and the towels to dry the tears. |
Posted By: Guests
Date Posted: 25-Aug-2007 at 03:39
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It depends. I'll confess I enjoy it a lot. However sometimes the research could be a lot better. For instance whenever they bring upm Victor Davis Hanson on anything to do with the Persian Wars, then I want to throw things at the TV. However their special on Carthage was excellent. As on the birth of Islam. At the end of the day you have to remember they are another TV Channel and they have to make money, and need as large an audience as possible. ------------- |
Posted By: King John
Date Posted: 25-Aug-2007 at 11:01
| I think what some of you are missing is that most of these "documentaries"/programs are not actually made by the History Channel they are simply bought from smaller production companies. Simply put these programs are not made by historians but rather amatuers and hobbyists whose schooling does not include historical research (I know because I went to undergrad to do just that, I quickly changed my mind as to what I want to do). On top of that there are time constraints that require editing and cutting of certain information. Then you have the shows like Wild West Tech or Mail Call both of which nobody should be watching anyway. When it comes to TV I stay to PBS, National Geographic, Discovery, and the Food Network. |
Posted By: elenos
Date Posted: 26-Aug-2007 at 00:07
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One thing that gets me is they advertise a program. let's say the building of the pyramids, and right at the first scene they show you a pyramid with the sun setting behind it. The commentator says in a hushed and rererent voice "This is a pyramid." You know right there and then the rest of the program will never rise beyond coffee table book trivia. ------------- elenos |
Posted By: Penelope
Date Posted: 26-Aug-2007 at 00:40
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Posted By: Kevin
Date Posted: 26-Aug-2007 at 12:44
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History International and Discovery Civilization are much better. The History Channel it's self is pretty much history in name only. ------------- |
Posted By: red clay
Date Posted: 26-Aug-2007 at 18:18
Perhaps they have different programming in different areas but in my area both of those are awful. They run documentaries from the 70's fcol.
If you want a clue as to what any of the History or Discovery venues will be showing, just look up the list of documentaries that have been allowed to enter Public Domain. Every month there are shows that have lost their royalty protection. 2 months later they show up on one of the H or D channels. ------------- "Arguing with someone who hates you or your ideas, is like playing chess with a pigeon. No matter what move you make, your opponent will walk all over the board and scramble the pieces". Unknown. |
Posted By: Guests
Date Posted: 27-Aug-2007 at 00:17
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American Chopper? Bio of Lisa Marie Presley? I mean come on! Thats why I went on to History Intrernational and Discovery Asia. ------------- |
Posted By: Penelope
Date Posted: 27-Aug-2007 at 01:15
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Has anyone ever purchased any of their documentaries? |
Posted By: ArmenianSurvival
Date Posted: 27-Aug-2007 at 01:49
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Its hard to find a program on anything other than ancient Egypt,
Romans, ancient Greeks, religion, WWII and the Cold War. I can't
remember how many times I was searching for a good program and all they
had on was a show about all the crack theories about Jesus' siblings or
Christianity in general. But the absolute worst shows on that channel are about..... UFOs. ------------- Mass Murderers Agree: Gun Control Works! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Van_Resistance Քիչ ենք բայց Հայ ենք։ |
Posted By: elenos
Date Posted: 27-Aug-2007 at 05:12
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UFO's? the truth is still out there, but those little green men escape every time!
------------- elenos |
Posted By: bagelofdoom
Date Posted: 30-Aug-2007 at 04:18
| I had a TA who referred to the History Channel as "the Hitler Channel" because all that they ever talked about was WWII. Some of their programming can be interesting though, just make sure that you double check their facts before using them. |
Posted By: Prophet
Date Posted: 30-Aug-2007 at 18:01
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Anything on HC dealing with Christianity is usually couched from a critical and skeptical approach. Avoid such shows if you want the truth. P ------------- You have never fought a war unless you have fought the Germans. W.S. Churchill |
Posted By: Aelfgifu
Date Posted: 31-Aug-2007 at 01:18
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The thruth in this case being being your thruth, I presume? If Chrisitanity cannot survive a little scepticism, it is hardly worth believing in. Not that the HC has the thruth either, but I hardly think being uncritical about a religion can possibly lead to thruth. -------------
Women hold their councils of war in kitchens: the knives are there, and the cups of coffee, and the towels to dry the tears. |
Posted By: elenos
Date Posted: 31-Aug-2007 at 01:45
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The "truth" about Christianity is dealt with on Christian channels 24/7, or is it? but well put Aelfgifu!
------------- elenos |
Posted By: Prophet
Date Posted: 31-Aug-2007 at 13:16
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Are you accusing me of being some kind of homophobe? Truth is
Truth and will stand on its on and has for thousands of years. Review your spell checker please. P ------------- You have never fought a war unless you have fought the Germans. W.S. Churchill |
Posted By: ArmenianSurvival
Date Posted: 31-Aug-2007 at 13:38
I really don't know if you are or not, but the fact that no one mentioned homophobes or homosexuality and you are being defensive about it will certainly give the impression that you are indeed a homophobe. ------------- Mass Murderers Agree: Gun Control Works! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Van_Resistance Քիչ ենք բայց Հայ ենք։ |
Posted By: Aelfgifu
Date Posted: 31-Aug-2007 at 17:54
Apparently you don't know what the word means. Unfortunately, this does not prove you are not.
And god save us from people who believe so.
-------------
Women hold their councils of war in kitchens: the knives are there, and the cups of coffee, and the towels to dry the tears. |
Posted By: elenos
Date Posted: 31-Aug-2007 at 19:27
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I rather liked the wonderful word thruth and got the thrust of it all! But seriously Prophet what are you talking about? All of a sudden we have another word homophobe and without knowing what caused your sudden outburst. Do you mean a lover of men or lover of mankind? The latter is quite in order when talking about Christianity but the former belongs on another thread. You will find those on this board do have a wide understanding, but make sure what you talk about right now has to do with the subject! ------------- elenos |
Posted By: Justinian
Date Posted: 02-Sep-2007 at 01:29
That is hilarious, I've joked with people referring to the history channel in the exact same words. As a junior or senior in high school I would get home and as sure as the tide the history channel would have a program about hitler on. Then there are those hitler marathons on weekends, 12+ hours of nothing but hitler... I've actually kept the history channel on all day once or twice during those marathons. Hours of my life I'll never get back. ------------- "War is a cowardly escape from the problems of peace."--Thomas Mann
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Posted By: YohjiArmstrong
Date Posted: 04-Sep-2007 at 08:50
You shouldn't really mock "Ice Road Truckers". Along with "Dogfights" its been one of the biggest documentary hits this year. Its enormously popular- the figures are staggering.
Well usually the historical basis of these films rests with three things: 1. Any expert brought in. 2. Any prior books, magazines or media that can be found. 3. Researchers- who usually aren't experts. Documentaries usually try and provide a balanced view from the sources available, modified of course by the opinions of the various people involved. Almost all historical programs are made by "amateurs". That said one has to be particuarly careful about the main force behind a program. Good examples being all that Alex Jones schlock which despite its constant repetition of historical "examples" manages to misrepresent or get wrong the vast majority. Similarly John Pilger's recent "War on Democracy" refused to back up claims, provided no context, was entirely one sided and pandered to Pilgers own preconceptions. |
Posted By: Dolphin
Date Posted: 04-Sep-2007 at 09:06
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Prophet has been lost in translation. Future generations will worship his insights!
The history Channel is as good as the programmes you watch on it. Its goina have 'popish' shows and serious shows to catch as many viewers as possible. So I couldn't really judge it as good or bad either way. ------------- |
Posted By: medenaywe
Date Posted: 21-Apr-2012 at 02:17
Main role of History today is:Divide et impera!It had divided people easy could be ruled. It is my opinion.
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Posted By: Toltec
Date Posted: 21-Apr-2012 at 06:55
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On the scale of 1 to minus 10.......... -10 ------------- Stupidity got us into this mess, why can't it get us out? http://historyplanet.wordpress.com - History Planet Website <br / |
Posted By: Centrix Vigilis
Date Posted: 21-Apr-2012 at 10:34
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THC is poorly written, poorly researched and a revisonist haven. It's directors and producers are liberal, leftists socialists who overtly promote that political ideaology. I'll pass. ------------- "Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence" S. T. Friedman Pilger's law: 'If it's been officially denied, then it's probably true' |
Posted By: Don Quixote
Date Posted: 21-Apr-2012 at 15:30
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I haven't seen a history show on HC for long, long time - all I see when I turn it on is reality-shows=royal-waste-on-time.
------------- |
Posted By: red clay
Date Posted: 22-Apr-2012 at 09:53
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I don't know about anywhere else, but in this area we now have H2, or History Channel 2. H2 is the Alien Channel, the regular History Channel is now the Doomsday channel. They moved all of the Hitler stuff to the Military Channel. If you look a little you'll find that the History channels and the Discovery channels, along with the Military channel, are all owned by the same outfit.
About 3 times a year a list of documentaries and other type history shows that have become public domain comes out. These are programs whose copyrights have run out and no one renewed them. They can be obtained and used without royalties, by anyone. If you check that list, you'll see where the History channel gets most of it's programming. BTW there are a lot of movies on that list as well.
------------- "Arguing with someone who hates you or your ideas, is like playing chess with a pigeon. No matter what move you make, your opponent will walk all over the board and scramble the pieces". Unknown. |
Posted By: tjadams
Date Posted: 23-Apr-2012 at 17:51
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I have the History Channel and I have the H2 channel. The History channel has what I call 'elementary history' programming. Every once in awhile it will pop out a decent program, but there are way more channels I have to watch something to stimulate my mind now.
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Posted By: Centrix Vigilis
Date Posted: 23-Apr-2012 at 18:52
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Ever kind you are Tj...elementary? I grant you your opinion but it ain't even that when distortion and revisionism, which their corporate owners and sponsors and production department flaunts regularly, as their ideologies. Better bet..... PBS. And then only marginally. ------------- "Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence" S. T. Friedman Pilger's law: 'If it's been officially denied, then it's probably true' |
Posted By: Nick1986
Date Posted: 23-Apr-2012 at 19:15
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I just wish the History Channel showed more history-related programs. I'm sick of boring dreck about modern-day lumberjacks and truckers and want to see more archaeological shows like Mud Men and history documentaries not centred around the Nazis. Military History has some good programs though
------------- Me Grimlock not nice Dino! Me bash brains! |
Posted By: Mountain Man
Date Posted: 16-Aug-2012 at 18:36
I watch it, and it's companion H2 and The Military Channel. Generally speaking, their historical accuracy is awful. The events referred to seem to be fairly accurate, as is a good deal of the narrated information, but the visual material presented to support it to the audience is very often wrong, erroneous, contradictory or all of the above. Same for many of their "eyewitnesses" or "survivors", most famously the old geezer who had allegedly served in the infantry, the artillery and the Royal Air Corps during WWI.  I watch it because I like History...and because it's the only game in town.  |
Posted By: Nick1986
Date Posted: 16-Aug-2012 at 19:18
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Discovery History is good as most of its shows are history-related (though i wish they broadcast more recent reruns of Time Team). They had an interesting documentary with colorised footage of WWI and a lot of ancient archaeology-related stuff
------------- Me Grimlock not nice Dino! Me bash brains! |
Posted By: Mountain Man
Date Posted: 24-Aug-2012 at 19:24
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I like Time Team, and the other archaeology type of programming where they make some attempt to find out what might have really happened. I also like the series starring Peter Weller as the narrator talking about ancient civilizations - Engineering An Empire. I never knew that Weller was himself a Renaissance scholar who studied in Florence. I also enjoy the Underground series that goes beneath the cities of today, although the moderator sounds like he's hosting a kid's show with his endless repetitions of what everyone else says. The military documentaries about the development of weapons, aircraft and so forth are also often interesting and informative, but don't get me started on those idiotic "Top Ten" programs. ------------- Quis custodiet ipsos custodes? |
Posted By: Delenda est Roma
Date Posted: 24-Aug-2012 at 20:17
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Generally you should check over anything with actual sources. ------------- |
Posted By: Mountain Man
Date Posted: 25-Aug-2012 at 00:06
I couldn't agree more, but how often do you have time to double check a TV channel. I'm happy to just catch the big mistakes.  ------------- Quis custodiet ipsos custodes? |
Posted By: Delenda est Roma
Date Posted: 25-Aug-2012 at 08:11
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Lol it has ancient aliens on so I haven't ben watching. ------------- |
Posted By: Mountain Man
Date Posted: 25-Aug-2012 at 16:56
Nothing wrong with ancient aliens, as long as you don't get carried away. Haven't you read von Daniken? Funny thing about UFO's and all the counter-culture: after Project Bluebook was disbanded, the Air Force stated that they had accounted for something like 85% of the reports of UFO's, but what they still could not explain were the remaining 15%, much of that reported by professionals such as radar operators and pilots, including military pilots. One of the original group of astronauts reported a UFO sighting back to ground control. Hard to imagine an astronaut being hysterical and seeing things, much less putting his rep on the line by voicing it officially. "There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy." Shakespeare Do I believe in flying saucers and little gray men? Nope. Do I believe in the possibility? Absolutely. ------------- Quis custodiet ipsos custodes? |
Posted By: Delenda est Roma
Date Posted: 25-Aug-2012 at 17:03
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I don't believe in their wacky theories but I believe in the general idea. ------------- |
Posted By: Mountain Man
Date Posted: 25-Aug-2012 at 19:01
Agreed. Some of these people think that everything ever accomplished in human was done by aliens. Of course, after visiting WalMart yesterday.... ------------- Quis custodiet ipsos custodes? |
Posted By: Delenda est Roma
Date Posted: 25-Aug-2012 at 19:21
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Lol XD. But yeah that show is a disgrace. ------------- |
Posted By: Mountain Man
Date Posted: 25-Aug-2012 at 20:49
What bother me about it the most is that the younger generation believes that what they see and hear on those shows is real history. ------------- Quis custodiet ipsos custodes? |
Posted By: Delenda est Roma
Date Posted: 25-Aug-2012 at 20:51
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Yepp. Well any stupid ones do lol. ------------- |