William Shatner Criticizes Presentism: A Look At His Views On History And Culture
William Shatner, the legendary figure known for his portrayal of Captain Kirk in "Star Trek," has recently spoken out quite strongly against a modern way of looking at things he calls "presentism." This idea, he believes, is causing quite a bit of trouble for how we understand history and even how we tell stories today. It's a topic that, you know, gets people talking, especially when someone with his standing shares such direct thoughts.
It seems that Mr. Shatner, in fiery posts on a Wednesday, really decried what he sees as the erasing of history and the changing of literature. He believes this approach, this "presentism," was used to cause a lot of chaos with history, as a matter of fact. It’s a point of view that, for many, really makes them stop and think about how we engage with the past, too it's almost.
His criticism, apparently, isn't just about old books or historical events. He sees this way of thinking influencing a lot of modern politics and social discussions, as well. The tendency to judge people and groups only by today's standards, he argues, can lead to a lot of separation and strong disagreements, you know, creating more division than understanding, which is that a very big concern for him.
Table of Contents
- William Shatner: A Brief Overview
- What is Presentism, According to William Shatner?
- The Erasing of History and Changing of Literature
- Statues, Books, and Renaming Things
- Presentism in Modern Discussions
- A Star Trek Example: The EU Recommendation
- Beyond the Political Soapbox
- Frequently Asked Questions About Shatner's Views
William Shatner: A Brief Overview
William Shatner, a truly iconic actor, is perhaps most famous for his portrayal of Captain James T. Kirk in the original "Star Trek" series. His career, you know, spans many decades, touching on a wide range of roles in television, movies, and even music. He's been a very public figure for a long time, and his opinions often gather a lot of attention, which is that understandable given his history in the public eye.
Beyond his acting, Mr. Shatner has also been an author, a director, and, very recently, an actual space traveler. His trip into the solar system, which he later said filled him with a sense of grief, was a very unique experience for him, and it showed a different side to the man many people know as a fictional space captain, too it's almost.
Personal Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | William Alan Shatner |
| Known For | Captain Kirk in "Star Trek: The Original Series" |
| Born | March 22, 1931 (Montreal, Quebec, Canada) |
| Occupation | Actor, Author, Director, Producer, Singer, Spokesperson |
| Notable Roles | Captain James T. Kirk, T.J. Hooker, Denny Crane |
| Other Ventures | Space traveler (Blue Origin), Philanthropist |
What is Presentism, According to William Shatner?
When William Shatner talks about "presentism," he's really pointing to a specific way of looking at the past. It's a term he uses to describe the modern tendency to reinterpret or even erase historical context in media and literature, you know, judging everything by today's values. He feels this approach, in a way, distorts what actually happened, making it hard to get a real sense of history, which is that a pretty significant concern.
He sees this as a practice of interpreting and judging historical events and figures through the lens of modern values and ethics, basically. This, he argues, often leads to a misrepresentation and a twisting of history, rather than a genuine attempt to understand it within its own time. It's a subtle but important distinction, he might say, between learning from the past and rewriting it to fit current ideas, you know, as a matter of fact.
The Erasing of History and Changing of Literature
Famed "Star Trek" actor William Shatner, as I was saying, really denounced what he called the "erasure of history" and the "rewrite of literature" in those fiery posts he made on a Wednesday. He's very clear that this isn't just a minor issue; he believes it's something that has been used to "wreak havoc on history" in recent years, you know, causing real damage to our collective memory.
His comments suggest a deep concern that past events and creative works are being changed to fit current sensibilities, which he sees as a problematic trend. He thinks this process removes the original meaning and context, making it harder for people to truly learn from what came before. It's a strong stance, to be honest, and it speaks to a broader debate about how societies engage with their past, you know, and how they choose to remember it.
Statues, Books, and Renaming Things
Shatner didn't hold back when giving examples of what he considers "presentism" at work. He specifically called to mind the days following George Floyd’s death in 2020, where cities across the country saw statues toppled and protests, you know, sometimes quite intense. He said on X, "It’s called presentism and it was used wreak havoc on history several years ago when statues were torn down, books were banned and things renamed to prove how progressive the world had become." This statement, basically, paints a clear picture of his concerns.
He feels that this movement, driven by what he calls "wokies," has been about proving a certain kind of "progress" by erasing or changing elements of the past. This includes not just physical monuments but also, apparently, the banning of books and the renaming of places or things. It's a view that suggests a worry about a historical purge, you know, rather than a thoughtful re-evaluation. He argues that this approach, in a way, judges historical figures and events without considering the times they lived in, which is that a very specific point he wants to make.
The idea of renaming things and toppling statues, for him, represents a direct manifestation of "presentism." He sees it as an attempt to sanitize or rewrite history to fit a contemporary narrative, which he finds problematic. It’s almost as if, he might say, people are trying to make the past look like the present, or at least how they wish the present to be, which, you know, isn't how history works, typically.
Presentism in Modern Discussions
Shatner’s criticism of "presentism," it seems, goes beyond just history and education. He also sees its influence in modern politics and social discussions, which is that a pretty wide scope for his concern. He argues that the tendency to judge individuals and groups solely by contemporary standards leads to division and polarization, you know, making it harder for people to connect or understand each other.
He suggests that when we only look at past actions or statements through today's very specific moral lens, we miss the broader context and the complexities of human experience. This, he believes, can foster a culture where people are quick to condemn rather than to seek understanding, which, in some respects, creates more problems than it solves. It's a point about how we treat each other now, too it's almost, based on how we look at the past.
This approach, in his view, simplifies complex historical figures and events, reducing them to mere symbols of past wrongs without appreciating their full stories or contributions. He's suggesting that such a narrow focus on "presentism" can, in a way, stifle open discussion and genuine historical inquiry, because people become too afraid to explore the nuances, which, you know, is that a real shame for learning.
A Star Trek Example: The EU Recommendation
William Shatner even found an example of "presentism" touching his own iconic work, "Star Trek." He specifically pointed to a recent recommendation made by the European Union against using "offensive gendered language" featured in the original series' intro sequence, you know, the famous "where no man has gone before" line. He posted screenshots of articles documenting this policy suggestion and criticized the officials, basically saying, "Presentism at work yet again, Why start at Trek?"
This instance, for him, perfectly illustrates how current standards are being applied to historical creative works, even something as beloved as "Star Trek." He sees it as an attempt to alter or critique something that was made in a different time with different conventions. It's a clear example, he might argue, of how "presentism" can lead to what he perceives as unnecessary revisions or criticisms of cultural artifacts, which, you know, he finds quite baffling, honestly.
His reaction shows that he feels these kinds of recommendations miss the point of the original work and impose a modern sensibility where it doesn't quite fit. It's almost as if, he suggests, people are looking for things to change rather than appreciating the historical context of a piece of art or media, which, you know, is that a very particular viewpoint he holds.
For more details on William Shatner's extensive career and his thoughts on various topics, you could explore his interviews and writings, which are, you know, pretty widely available online. Learn more about his views on culture on our site, and you can also find out about his other projects here.
Beyond the Political Soapbox
William Shatner, it's worth noting, has made it clear he doesn't want to get on a political soapbox, you know, despite his strong statements. Instead, he sees himself as tackling what he calls the "woke mob" that he believes tried to rewrite history. His comments are, in a way, less about partisan politics and more about a broader cultural concern for how we treat the past and how we approach historical understanding, which, you know, is that a different kind of discussion altogether.
He's not just complaining, apparently; he's articulating a deep-seated worry about what happens when history is, in his words, "decried" or "rewritten." It's about preserving a truthful account of what was, even if it's uncomfortable by today's standards, which, you know, is that a pretty consistent theme in his recent comments. He believes that understanding history, with all its complexities, is essential for a society to move forward thoughtfully, and that's a very big point for him.
His stance, then, is arguably about intellectual honesty and the integrity of historical narratives. He wants people to look at the past as it was, not as they wish it had been, which, in some respects, is a call for a more nuanced and less judgmental approach to history. It’s a position that, you know, sparks a lot of conversation among people who care about these kinds of things, as a matter of fact.
Frequently Asked Questions About Shatner's Views
What is "presentism" according to William Shatner?
According to William Shatner, "presentism" is the practice of interpreting and judging historical events and figures solely through the lens of modern values and ethics. He believes this approach often leads to a misrepresentation and distortion of history, you know, basically changing the past to fit current ideas. He sees it as erasing historical context and rewriting literature to make it more palatable to contemporary sensibilities, which, in a way, he finds very problematic.
What historical events did Shatner reference in his criticism?
William Shatner specifically referenced the protests following George Floyd’s death in 2020, recalling how statues were torn down, books were banned, and things were renamed during that period. He stated that "it’s called presentism and it was used wreak havoc on history several years ago when statues were torn down, books were banned and things renamed to prove how progressive the world had become," which, you know, shows his direct concern with those particular actions.
Does Shatner see presentism affecting things beyond history books?
Yes, absolutely. Shatner’s criticism of "presentism" extends beyond just history and education. He sees its influence in modern politics and social discussions, as well. He argues that the tendency to judge individuals and groups only by contemporary standards leads to division and polarization, you know, creating more conflict than understanding. He even pointed to a European Union recommendation about "offensive gendered language" in the original "Star Trek" intro as another example of "presentism" at work in modern society, which, in some respects, shows how broadly he applies this concern.
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