Simon Schama’s History of Now episode 3: Simon Schama examines how Charlie Chaplin and Ayn Rand created different visions of postwar America, while Rachel Carson drew attention to the destruction of the natural world. After the Second World War, there were deep divisions in America about how to move forward. Should it be a social democracy, in which a benevolent state would look after its most vulnerable citizens? Or should it put its faith in individual enterprise and the free market to provide plenty for all?
Simon Schama examines how the filmmaker Charlie Chaplin and author Ayn Rand created radically different visions of how this new postwar world should work, and how writers such as Rachel Carson drew attention to the damage being inflicted on the natural world. He talks to author Margaret Atwood about how Carson inspired her own work and to photographer Edward Burtynsky about his photographic projects to document haunting images of the pursuit of consumerism.
Sir Simon Michael Schama is an English historian specialising in art history, Dutch history, Jewish history and French history. He is a University Professor of History and Art History at Columbia University, New York.He first came to public attention with his history of the French Revolution titled Citizens, published in 1989. In the United Kingdom, he is perhaps best known for writing and hosting the 15-part BBC television documentary series A History of Britain broadcast between 2000 and 2002.
Simon Schama is best known for his award-winning books and television documentaries on art, culture, and history. Born in 1945 in London, England, he studied history at Cambridge University and went on to teach at Oxford and Harvard before becoming a full-time writer and television presenter. Schama is known for his engaging writing style and ability to bring history to life in a way that is accessible to a wide audience. He has written over 20 books, including Citizens: A Chronicle of the French Revolution, The Power of Art, and The Story of the Jews.
Simon Schama’s History of Now episode 3
Ayn Rand
Ayn Rand was a Russian-American writer and philosopher known for her novels The Fountainhead and Atlas Shrugged, as well as for her philosophical system of Objectivism. Born in St. Petersburg, Russia, in 1905, she immigrated to the United States in 1926, where she became a leading advocate for individual rights and laissez-faire capitalism. She is considered one of the most influential thinkers of the 20th century and continues to be a major influence on conservative and libertarian thought.
Ayn Rand’s legacy is complex and often controversial. She is best known for her advocacy of individual rights, laissez-faire capitalism, and rational self-interest. Her novels, particularly The Fountainhead and Atlas Shrugged, are widely read and have had a significant impact on the political and cultural landscape. Her philosophical system of Objectivism, which she outlined in her non-fiction works, has influenced many conservatives and libertarians. However, her views have also been criticized for being overly individualistic and disregarding the rights and needs of others. Overall, her legacy continues to be a subject of debate and discussion.
Ayn Rand’s philosophy, known as Objectivism, is a system of thought that emphasizes the importance of individual rights, rational self-interest, and laissez-faire capitalism. Rand believed that the only moral course of action is to pursue one’s own rational self-interest, and that the only social system consistent with this principle is a system of pure capitalism, in which the government plays no role in the economy and individuals are free to produce, trade, and consume as they see fit. She also held that the only proper role of government is to protect individual rights, and that any infringement on these rights, such as through the use of force or coercion, is morally wrong.
Rand advocated reason as the only means of acquiring knowledge; she rejected faith and religion. She supported rational and ethical egoism and rejected altruism. In politics, she condemned the initiation of force as immoral and opposed collectivism, statism, and anarchism. Instead, she supported laissez-faire capitalism, which she defined as the system based on recognizing individual rights, including private property rights. Although Rand opposed libertarianism, which she viewed as anarchism, she is often associated with the modern libertarian movement in the United States. In art, Rand promoted romantic realism. She was sharply critical of most philosophers and philosophical traditions known to her, except for Aristotle, Thomas Aquinas, and classical liberals.
Charlie Chaplin
Charlie Chaplin was a British actor, comedian, and filmmaker who rose to fame in the early 20th century. He is widely considered to be one of the most important figures in the history of the film industry, and his distinctive style of physical comedy and pathos has influenced generations of actors and filmmakers. Chaplin’s most famous character was the tramp, a lovable vagabond with a heart of gold, and he starred in many silent films, including “The Kid,” “The Gold Rush,” and “Modern Times.” Despite his humble beginnings and rough upbringing, Chaplin became one of the richest and most famous people in the world, and his contributions to the art of film are still celebrated today.
Charlie Chaplin’s legacy is that he was one of the most influential figures in the history of the film industry. His unique style of physical comedy, combined with his ability to convey powerful emotions, set him apart from his contemporaries and has influenced countless actors and filmmakers. Chaplin’s most famous character, the tramp, has become an enduring symbol of the human spirit, and his films continue to be popular and widely admired. In addition to his artistic achievements, Chaplin is also remembered for his humanitarianism and political activism, as he was an outspoken critic of war and injustice. Overall, his contributions to the world of film and entertainment are immeasurable, and his impact on popular culture continues to be felt to this day.
Rachel Carson – Simon Schama’s History of Now episode 3
Rachel Carson was an American scientist, writer, and conservationist who is best known for her work on the environmental impact of pesticides. She is credited with advancing the global environmental movement and raising awareness of the dangers of pesticide use. Her book “Silent Spring” was published in 1962 and is widely considered a classic of science writing. It documented the harmful effects of pesticides on birds and other wildlife, and sparked a nationwide debate on the use of these chemicals. Carson’s work helped lead to the eventual ban of the pesticide DDT in the United States.
Rachel Carson’s legacy is her contribution to the global environmental movement and the awareness she raised about the dangers of pesticide use. Her book “Silent Spring” was a seminal work that helped to spark a nationwide debate on the issue and eventually led to the ban of the pesticide DDT in the United States. She is also credited with inspiring the modern environmental movement and advancing the cause of conservation and environmental protection. Her work continues to be celebrated and studied by environmentalists and scientists around the world.
Silent Spring is a book written by Rachel Carson and published in 1962. The book is a landmark work of science writing that documents the harmful effects of pesticides on birds and other wildlife. It sparked a nationwide debate on the use of these chemicals and is widely credited with advancing the global environmental movement. The book was based on years of research and study by Carson, who was a scientist and conservationist. It is considered a classic of science writing and remains an important work in the history of environmentalism.
