Obviously not a fan of Blackadder

[endfire79]

Would like to hear from grogs across the pond about this one. 

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2532923/Michael-Gove-blasts-Blackadder-myths-First-World-War-spread-television-sit-coms-left-wing-academics.html

[MetalDog]

What were you looking to hear?  I read the article.  It seems that Britain has the same problem as America with prominent people espousing their opinions, right or wrong, about things that are volatile.  Political correctness has become the go to for many educators in the last twenty plus years, seemingly taking a view that many disagree with, but noone does anything to correct.  It's sad, but it illustrates one thing I think too many people don't take responsibility for - teaching their children what is right and how to think for themselves.

[undercovergeek]

What were you looking to hear?  I read the article.  It seems that Britain has the same problem as America with prominent people espousing their opinions, right or wrong, about things that are volatile.  Political correctness has become the go to for many educators in the last twenty plus years, seemingly taking a view that many disagree with, but noone does anything to correct.  It's sad, but it illustrates one thing I think too many people don't take responsibility for - teaching their children what is right and how to think for themselves.

im a bit shocked theyre using Blackadder to teach kids about WWI - not because of any political leanings it may have but because there is so much else out there to teach them about it - if it has to be popular fiction/media then read Birdsong and scare their pants off

[endfire79]

Sorry on my ipad forgive my typing snafus.

I understand Goves concern, but I don't think black adder belittles Great Britain.
I was wondering when the series was new if it drew the same reaction.

I agree Probably those teachers should broaden their curriculum.  There is no shortage of media about the conflict. However humor is a great initial draw at the subject, although it should be tempered by the profs discussion with students and explanation of the events in order for  the audience to understand. 

[undercovergeek]

the main digs are at the establishment - general haig and the idiot odfficer class - it certainly isnt political, more a pop at the aristocracy which all Blackadders have been

[Gusington]

Was World War I not a "series of misbegotten mistakes perpetrated by an out of touch elite?" That sounds pretty spot on to me. From recent reading and study I have done, World War I is definitely the most tragic event of the last 125 years at least, mostly because it was so unnecessary. There is plenty of blame to go around to all nations involved.

[bob48]

Blackadder is, of course, very funny. I think the point is that it also uses satire to illustrate many long help beliefs about WW1 - the Lions led by donkeys being one.

As we all know, such historical views are constantly being revised as new historians put their own slant on events or as new evidence comes to light.

I think we could write volumes on issues such as these, but, at the end of the day, Blackadder IV was a piss-take, and no one takes the piss out of the English more than we do ourselves.