Why do some people find history such a turn off?

Question: Why do some people find history such a turn off!?

I was speaking to my friend on Sunday night, and she asked me what i was up to, i said well not much by the looks of it, but i`m watching a programme about Russia soon, that is being shown on BBC2 on Sunday nights at the moment, anyway she said history bores me!.

My friend said the future only interests me!.

I really cannot understand why it should be boring, without history were would we be as a civilisation, we would have less knowledge & understanding surely!?Www@QuestionHome@Com

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:

History is a fantastic subject and shows us how we got were we are today!. I don't expect everyone to have the same interest as me but to say it's boring is showing a person's ignorance!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

For the same reasons I find Math such a turn off!.

I earned by M!.A!. in History in 1987!.

You study the past so you can learn what to do in the future!.

The past is 'a post priori' and the future is 'a priori'!.

You want to learn from an event which already happened, study that event, remove what is irrelevant, innovate, and apply it to the future!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

History is one of those subjects that is taught badly at primary & secondary school level, by the time it's about to become interesting in secondary school most students have been turned & abandon it!. It's often simplified to the point where myth & reality blurred and facts & figures are rammed down peoples throats!.

It was fantastic studying it at third level, looking at seemingly simple events & seeing how it impacts on present!. To understand some of the events in the present, it's necessary to know what's happened in the past & use what's been learned (do you think Dubya & Mr Blair ever took their heads out of their respective backsides long to analyse events which happened ten years previously!?)

As human beings, on a personal level, we learn from our mistakes & carry the lesson through to the future!. As civilisations we learn the limits of how far we can push things, act on it in the present in order to make a better future!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

I would argue because of presentation, and stupid requirements to memorize lists of dates and battles and generals' names!.

It's amazing that poor presentation manages to turn learning about exciting events, wars, revolutions, inventions; and ideas like how our ancestors lived, what life was like for a person like yourself, say, two hundred years ago - into boring affairs!.

And from talking with friends in the UK, it seems the only difference in how history is often taught is that you have to memorize names of prime ministers and kings, while we in the U!.S!. memorize presidents!.

THIS IS NOT THE WAY!.

Dates are when EVENTS happened - make the events understandable, and interesting, and people will remember the date on their own!.

I had one college professor who understood that!. NO other teacher through my entire time in school ever did!.

It seems sometimes like we're doing it backwards!. We shouldn't teach with examinations in mind!. We should teach the SUBJECT and use tests to measure THAT!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

I think it is because History is politicised so much these days!.

Many Educationalists and Teachers cant help but judge history by their own PC standards and values!.

The fact that many things that involves Britains past are sneered at by leftist educationalists puts children off i feel!.

also History curriculums are so narrow these days, you get no real feel of the sweep of history or its continuity!.!.!.its all a bit of a mix and match, and i think that confuses and puts off children from an early age!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

some people think its pointless learning what happened before their time, or they do not want to know how many wifes henry 8th had, some people just find it pure boring

i like some of history but somethings i did for gcse i hated like medicence and kenilworth castle i spent the hole day running up and down the stairs and hiding from our teacher, amusing but it was boringWww@QuestionHome@Com

people don't like history because, alot people were first introduced to it at school and the teacher might have been one of those people who talk about the same thing for an hourlong, without a change of expression!Www@QuestionHome@Com

I used to hate history at school!.

But I love it now!. It gives such an insite into why are are the way we are!. Thank god for the discovery channels!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

The Dimbleby programme was brilliant!.

I love it!.
I know people who don't like history - I try & enthuse them, but mostly to no avail!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

I find History very interesting, a lot of lessons can be learned from it!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

History isnt supposed to turn people on man lolWww@QuestionHome@Com

same reason some people think math or literature is boringWww@QuestionHome@Com

Been there, done that!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

bad teachingWww@QuestionHome@Com