How we made this site
Our website was inspired by a desire to discuss history in a manner different from the way it is taught as a high school subject. Originally, webrainstormed with the concept of alternate history—that is, the discussion of a plausible timeline after a significant point of divergence. For instance, such a point might be a Confederate victory at the Battle of Gettysburg. On the basis of history’s malleability—the ease with which any single changed event could change an entire timeline, we decided to devote the website to a discussion of the perception of time in regards to history. We adopted a scientific approach to looking at history, hence the website’s title “The Science of History.”
To introduce the site we created a page about the traditional study of history. From that point, we compiled philosophy and scientific theories related to the perception of time. These included selections from the conclusions ofEmmanuel Kant and Isaac Newton. Each theory received a page and these pages were linked through a hub entitled “Theories on Time.” Based on these theories we created pages detailing our hypothesis on a flexible perception of history. Several graphics were created on Macromedia Fireworks to depict the notion that the mental “extent” of a historical period was dependent on one’s perception of time and that it was liable to change. Again, the hypothesis took a decidedly scientific approach.
We feel that the ideas we presented are relevant to society because they demonstrate how the study of history can move out of the box. Instead of rigid timelines and textbooks it is perhaps possible to study history in regards to the medium that it is composed of—time. Just as society is flexible so can an academic subject. Furthermore, this is an interdisciplinary study; history, science, and philosophy are bound by a single hypothesis. That in itself offers academic value. Most importantly, our “unusual” angle on history offers a way for any member of society to consider his or her place in time.