You are viewing a single comment's thread from:
RE: 117. Today in 1920s Turkey: 11 October 1923 (Geographic Vestigial Dismemberment)
Wow this is truly fascinating. I love how the cartoon depicts the transition, and how each detail tells a story not visible to the unassuming eye. It was a grand ambition from the cartoonist to create something like that which portrays the past, present and future. Are you a historian?
I agree, it is very satisfying in its complexity. You don't want a cartoon to be overloaded or overwhelming but this cartoon really strikes a balance. It's almost like the visual version of a pithy quote. The way he was able to string, like you say, past, present, and future together is so brilliant that it leaves me feeling like regular old maps are inadequate! What if all maps could tell the story of their country's borders with a zoomorphic analogy? Maybe more people would remember history that way:)
Oh, yes, and I am a historian, an art historian to be precise! I specialize in Turkish and Middle East art and history, especially the modern age. I received my PhD about a year and a half ago from Indiana University. Most of the materials and concepts I discuss here are by-products of my dissertation research.
I am completely with you on that! It's not the subject that students don't like, it's the way, and that goes for all school subjects. That's really interesting and a good combination; art and history. Do you know about the platform called medium? It's an option for you to publish your work, and they have about 100 million visitors a month. If you don't mind me asking, are you working in the field now?
I think there are many ways in which history could be better taught in schools... It's a shame it is not taken more seriously as a method of understanding the present, or maybe that is by design...
I've never hear of "medium" I'll have to check that out: that there are so many visitors is promising!
And yes, you read me fairly accurately: I am working in the field, but outside of academic institutions, with which I have lost much of my faith. I still attend conferences etc, but I'm no longer seeking "salvation" in the coveted "faculty position."
Broadly speaking, I am interested in sharing my research with a greater audience and on my own terms.
I agree, maybe the way it's taught is by design. I like what you said about no longer seeking 'salvation.' I am not sure why you lost your faith in them, but personally I stopped it before I reached that! I stopped my MA half way because I didn't see how it could add much value, and I plan to write about it in a future post. I highly respect your sensible approach to sharing your research. It's your work, and you should have the last and final say.
I look forward to seeing your post about leaving the MA, such a decision is not an easy one, and I'm curious about the back story.
The story of my own loss of faith in academia is multi-faceted and deeply connects with my own personal mission of making information "accessible" and free. I actually just started writing a multi-part essay answering just this question. It may be a while before it is "ready" but I'll pass it along when it is:)
Thanks. It actually wasn't as hard as I thought it'd be. Your approach is refreshing and I look forward to reading about your loss of faith in academia.
It is a very touching and graphic portrayal of the loss the author felt at the time. It is also a portrayal that doesn't age. It can be understood throughout the years and by a wide variety of people. The artist did an amazing work in this piece.
It is admirable that the artist was able to render something as ambivalent and clinical as a map with such rich commentary that relies on images rather than text. I'm really happy to see so much appreciation for this work so many years later:) It still resonates. We all still get it.