Simon Schama: ‘The internet creates anger because screaming arguments are clickbait’

A version of this article first appeared in TopMob magazine.

Are you finding yourself overwhelmed by a deluge of online hostility and misinformation? Take heart, according to historian Simon Schama, there’s a remedy available.

I don’t want to seem overly optimistic, but I tend to see things in a positive light and I believe there are areas where we can find common ground. This common ground is something my new series, Story of Us, highlights. It suggests that this shared ground often appears in instances of collective national creativity, like the London 2012 Olympics Opening Ceremony or the 1951 Festival of Britain. These events offered opportunities to debate our differences without necessarily needing to defeat the other side. I wanted to create a program that would help us rediscover these moments.

As a movie enthusiast, let me share with you the fascinating narrative that unfolds in “Story of Us”. This captivating series traces its roots back to the year of my birth, 1945; however, it doesn’t follow a strictly chronological path. Instead, it delves into cherished memories, such as my six-year-old self holding my father’s hand during our visit to the Festival of Britain site on London’s Southbank – an experience that left an indelible mark on me.

He expresses he doesn’t prefer it to be that way, but concedes there’s a hint of the typical elderly man’s slow movement, which is acceptable since he himself is an old man and does move slowly. However, he clarifies he has no plans to leave anytime soon, as many people, starting with his wife, have warned they would be upset if he did so.

In his quest to demonstrate the unifying influence of culture, he chose the Beatles as an example. Contrary to popular belief that they first emerged on stages like Liverpool’s Cavern Club or Hamburg’s Reeperbahn, the documentary “Story of Us” presents a different origin story. It suggests that Lennon and McCartney’s groundbreaking transformation of music started in 1960 not at these well-known venues, but at the Jacaranda club in Liverpool, a place where Trinidadian calypso artist Lord Woodbine held a residency.

In this setting, the trio just starting out, which included George Harrison as well, enjoyed the melodies of Caribbean steel drums played by Woodbine. Notably, Woodbine had embarked on his journey to the UK aboard the Empire Windrush, a ship carrying West Indian immigrants, all the way back in 1948.

According to Schama, it’s clearly accurate that the documentary features John Lennon expressing that hearing steel drums represented a fresh musical encounter for them, and it was at the Jacaranda where they commenced their performances. Additionally, Woodbine played a part in securing gigs for them in Hamburg.

In my opinion, when this story gets shared, criticism may arise with accusations of “wokeness.” However, it’s important to note that this part of the Beatles’ history is relatively unexplored, and the account presented here is factually accurate. Accuracy is crucial in today’s world where emotions can be inflamed by misinformation and social media platforms can profit from such misunderstandings.

According to him, the internet operates like a reverse matchmaker, fostering discord instead of harmony. It’s because heated arguments and conflicts attract more clicks compared to reconciliation or understanding each other. Each week, those stirring up conflict hunt for topics to ignite anger, which seems disheartening to him. This situation, combined with the surge of populism globally, has led Schama to reflect on our current state. With his 80th birthday approaching and uncertainty about when he might pass away, he feels compelled to take a moment to consider where we stand.

In the series, another esteemed figure from the world of broadcasting, David Attenborough, likewise contributes a shared cultural perspective.

During the early 1970s, while serving as the head of programming at the BBC, Sir David Attenborough broke new ground by making BBC Two’s 11:30 PM Monday night schedule accessible for the general public.

Schama notes that David Attenborough was somewhat reluctant to claim the idea as his own. To be precise, we made sure to credit other contributors at the BBC as well. However, it’s worth noting that he played a significant role in its development. Open Door, a program broadcast from 1973 to 1983, provided a platform for a diverse range of interests, delightfully described by Schama as “Britain’s grand parade of enthusiasm – hikers, anti-feminists and feminists, space enthusiasts”.

In this program, individuals were free to express themselves without fear of criticizing others or creating a winner-takes-all scenario. It’s astounding that such a platform, allowing anyone to produce a 30-minute TV show, was made available with no hint of competition.

Today, online discussions often resemble a contest where only one side can emerge victorious, leaving others in defeat. However, it’s crucial to note that it’s not just about winners; it’s equally important to have participants who lose the argument. In the case of Open Door’s debates, despite vastly differing viewpoints, each participant sought to advocate for their unique perspectives, sometimes quirky or unconventional. They were more inclined to defend their own ideas rather than targeting others, fostering an environment of free speech without any intention of belittling those with opposing opinions.

On social media platforms like Twitter, an interesting flipside emerged when Elon Musk acquired the platform in 2022. He dismissed moderators, leading to about half of the workforce being let go, marking a shift towards more debates – a harbinger of what Schama refers to as a new era. “I have concerns that this is indeed happening,” says Schama. “Nations risk internal conflict if they don’t curb this intense verbal sparring and dramatic discourse.”

Schama highlights the destructive events, referencing the riots that erupted across England last summer after the tragic murders of three children in Southport. An author of numerous books, he was deeply saddened by the arson attack on the Spellow community library in Liverpool. “The appalling race riots occurred just after a sense of optimism, at least in most parts of the country, about the election,” Schama said, “not due to who won, but because we did have a peaceful election.

The concern is expressed that excessive use of social media might lead to fewer young individuals engaging in book reading. Instead, one could ask: “Is it possible that fewer people are reading more books nowadays?” Today marks an exciting occasion as the Liverpool library has just resumed operations. They successfully managed to gather funds and received numerous trucks full of books, along with thousands of pounds donated. I sincerely hope that the revival of a library indicates that book reading hasn’t become obsolete among people.

Given the escalating tension in society and politics, have you ever thought about altering your writing approach or presentation style? “Well, I suppose one could keep a watchful eye out for potential criticism. But I’m past that point. At 80, my primary concern is ensuring accuracy. If I start tailoring myself to an imagined middle ground or avoiding sensitive topics, I’d lose my essence. That’s not how I roll, and never will be.

In a similar vein, Schama shifts his focus, picking out positive aspects and underlining how our heritage can offset some of the less favorable aspects of contemporary existence. In this light, could Schama successfully convince Attenborough to ignite Open Door and tackle subject X together?

Schama expresses that it could be a good choice if he’s open to it, “I suspect David prefers interacting with elephants, polar bears, and Siberian tigers over Elon Musk. It seems less challenging for him. However, I hope he does [consider the suggestion].

2025-01-07 04:34

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