The study of history involves reconstructing the past through evidence while being aware of biases and the limitations of sources.

Understanding the past is essential for making informed decisions in the present and future, as it shapes our interactions with others.

The interpretation of ancient artifacts can be heavily influenced by cultural biases, leading to misinterpretations of their significance.

Understanding history and previous human experiences is crucial for developing effective strategies, as it provides insights into complex situations.

The goal of my podcast is to have conversations that historians will find useful in the future, which can be challenging because you risk being punished for revealing too much information.

Roman historians often prioritized morality tales over strict factual accuracy, shaping narratives to reflect societal values rather than objective truth.

Reading historical nonfiction can enhance storytelling skills by illustrating how facts can be woven into engaging narratives.

Historically, there are two perspectives on how history is shaped: the 'great man' theory, which emphasizes individual leaders, and the 'great forces' theory, which focuses on larger societal forces like demographics and geography.

In Singapore, the absence of historians focusing on its own history reflects a broader trend of self-censorship in discussing sensitive topics, similar to dynamics in China.