One of the
most fun (we've already used a word that you would never associate with
history) things about the past is the question "what if?" How might
history have changed if this or that fact had been different? And more
importantly, how might this change have affected not just the course of
history but our own actual lives?
As an alumnus of my various series,
you know the great emphasis I place on personal choice. Leadership is
the collection and record of choices. We've all got certain factors,
conditions, circumstances, and environments in which we live and
breathe, but they don't wreck or ruin our ability to choose.
Below you will find an unfolding
collection of brief "what-if" essays that you and your fellow alumni
have stimulated in my various series. The topics are historical in
nature. They're not corporate or organizational. However, as you might
expect, I do offer a twist or two that relates to your own life.
These "what-if" essays allow me to
follow-up on historical issues raised in the various series. I'd like
to take time in the sessions to elaborate on my thoughts but because of
the press of time constraints, I don't. Here, though, such elaboration
occurs. Time is not a factor.
A disclaimer: the essays are mine in
responsibility; errors and judgments therein are entirely my own
responsibility. As much as I'd like to blame the cat, I can't.
Between you and me, the "what-if"
part of history drives most academic historians nuts. They sneer and
snort at the audacity of people who ask such questions, dismissing them
as almost anti-historical for having the curiosity to want to know how
things might have been different if x or y had or had not happened.
They puff up and reply along these lines: "Well, you can't take
(him/her or this/that) out of its context." The unspoken thought is
"well, you dunce, only a cretin would think they could do so."
I think that's exactly wrong. It's
not only interesting to do so, it's instructive. You live your life in
precisely the same manner of having to make choices and pray, predict,
project, or, let's face it, guess, as to the consequences, effects, and
impact on your next set of choices.
One last thing about this topic-and
yes, we can call this a rant by now. Is it any wonder that school-based
history is usually seen as an only slightly less painful version of
water torture? Part of this hard fact comes from refusal of the
professoriate to entertain such questions as the "what-if."
As always, my work is totally and
completely dependent on you. The energy and freshness of the essays
below reflect the power of your inquisitiveness and ability to cast new
light on old things. I thank you for all your help.
Finally, if you think of a "what-if"
question that you'd like me to address, please email me. If you wish
to pose your own "what-if" response and statement, I encourage you to
click the link below.
CLICK TO VIEW THE WHAT-IF LAB
