In Reality

How Fake History Ignites the Fake Present: Britain's Author of 'Fake History' and 'Fake Heroes' Otto English

Nov 8, 2023

The podcast explores the role of fake history in shaping political narratives and fueling polarization, discussing controversial interpretations of American history and mythical golden ages. It also delves into the influence of fake history on Brexit and the portrayal of political figures, including the use of pen names and the impact of distorted narratives on present debates. Additionally, it examines the phenomenon of fake heroes, fabricated heroic journeys, and the challenges of curating a newsfeed amidst distorted history.

35:29

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Quick takeaways

Fake history plays a significant role in shaping political narratives, with authoritarian leaders across different countries creating mythical golden ages in their past as a means of garnering support and promoting their agenda.

The construction of fake heroes through the monomyth pattern often overshadows the recognition of real heroes and their contributions, as various historical figures are mythologized and their heroic journeys exaggerated or fabricated.

Deep dives

The Power of Fake History in Shaping Political Narratives

One of the main ideas explored in the podcast episode is the significant role that fake history plays in shaping political narratives. From ancient Greece to modern Russia, authoritarian leaders have been attracted to creating a mythical golden age in their country's past. The speaker and guest discuss how this phenomenon is not limited to specific countries, with examples like Putin's glorification of the Soviet era and the nostalgia-driven Make America Great Again slogan. They also address how fake history influenced Britain's Brexit vote, demonstrating the impact of historical distortions on current politics.

Introduction

2min

The Origins of Joe English

3min

Distorted Narratives and Myth-making

14min

Fake Heroes and Fabricated Heroic Journeys

12min

Navigating the Challenges of Curating a Newsfeed and Skepticism Towards Politicians

4min

Welcome to In Reality, the podcast about truth, disinformation and the media. I’m Eric Schurenberg, a long time journalist and media executive, now the executive director of the Alliance for Trust in Media.

An awful lot of the heat in today’s polarized political landscape arises from vastly different interpretations of history. In the US, we fight over how to deal with slavery in our history books. Donald Trump’s Make America Great Again slogan is a shout-out to a historical golden era that may or may not have existed.

Today’s In Reality guest, Otto English, is the pseudonymous author of the books Fake History and Fake Heroes. He has made a study of the gap between history as it was lived, and history as it was remanufactured by powerful people generations hence. Otto and I discuss the abiding attraction that authoritarian leaders from ancient Greece to modern Russia have for creating a mythical golden age in their past; the role that fake history played in Britain’s economically disastrous Brexit vote; and how we remake the stories of politicians from Winston Churchill to Donald Trump to conform to archetypes, rather than reality.

This episode was produced by Tom Platts

Website - free episode transcripts
www.in-reality.fm

Produced by Tom Platts at Sound Sapien
soundsapien.com

Alliance for Trust in Media
alliancefortrust.com

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In Reality

How Fake History Ignites the Fake Present: Britain's Author of 'Fake History' and 'Fake Heroes' Otto English

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Deep dives

The Power of Fake History in Shaping Political Narratives

The Monomyth and the Creation of Fake Heroes

The Endurance of Myths and the Challenge of Discerning Truth

Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts