The one argument on behalf of counterfactuals is they produce a useful Brechtian estrangement effect, de-naturalizing familiar history
@carloshasanax To argue that a cause is important is also to argue that things would've been very different without that cause.
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@HeerJeet So many counterfactual histories, even by professional historians, are actually expressions of id and wish-fulfillment.Thanks. Twitter will use this to make your timeline better. UndoUndo
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@HeerJeet However, it's very hard to go into a counterfactual blank. If approached honestly, one quickly learns one's ideological biases.Thanks. Twitter will use this to make your timeline better. UndoUndo
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@HeerJeet I suspect that the New Counterfactual History will increase in popularity with the growth of Big (Historical) Data and simulation.Thanks. Twitter will use this to make your timeline better. UndoUndo
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@HeerJeet To get topical, look at the fantasies of Confederate victory. Even the hackwork reflects an internal model at odds with reality.Thanks. Twitter will use this to make your timeline better. UndoUndo
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