Did you know that Ramses II spread fake news<\/em>? Or that Hercules might be considered the first gymbro<\/em>? Alba Saenc, a young cultural disseminator and history student from Salamanca, is at the forefront of dismantling the comfortable belief that we live in a radically new era. In her thought-provoking essay, Do You Think You Are Very Modern?<\/em>, Saenc invites readers to reflect on historical context in order to re-evaluate contemporary assumptions.<\/p>\n According to Saenc, modern society is marked by extreme individualism, characterized by a “me, me, and only me” mentality. This, she humorously suggests, would not have been tolerated in ancient times. While people today push for personal advancement, Saenc highlights that prehistoric humans enjoyed far more leisure time. In reality, our ancestors worked only a few months a year, allowing them to hunt, socialize, and foster community.<\/p>\n Saenc explores the roots of concepts we consider modern today, asserting that many cultural debates and relationship dynamics date back further than we recognize. Her spontaneous career as a history disseminator emerged during the pandemic when she began sharing history memes that quickly garnered a massive following on TikTok and Instagram. These formats allowed her to reach over half a million followers, demonstrating a compelling demand for historical content.<\/p>\n The evolution of her content has transformed from light-hearted memes into more comprehensive historical narratives while retaining humor as a key ingredient. Saenc uses contemporary vernacular\u2014like “Tinder hoplite”\u2014to draw comparisons between classical and modern culture, unraveling complexities like cancel culture and the machosphere without trivializing ancient history.<\/p>\n The traditional academic world has often viewed internet historians with skepticism. However, Saenc argues that dissemination of knowledge is crucial. She believes popularizers serve an essential role in making historical insights accessible to a wider audience. As she puts it, “Without popularizers, no one would know what the historian investigates in his office.”<\/p>\n Despite the advancements in connectivity, Saenc expresses skepticism about modern progress. The irony isn’t lost on her; while we are more interconnected digitally, we are increasingly disconnected from genuine human experiences. To reconnect with her roots, she returned to her small town of Fuenteguinaldo to reclaim a sense of normalcy and engage with the historical landscape around her.<\/p>\n In her reflections, Saenc emphasizes that history does not follow a straight path toward progress but resembles an irregular trajectory filled with contradictions and setbacks. She advocates for integrating knowledge of cultural heritage into educational curricula, underscoring that rich historical narratives exist all around us.<\/p>\n Alba Saenc\u2019s work serves as a vital reminder that history isn\u2019t static; it\u2019s a living, breathing entity that shapes our understanding of the present. In an age where individualism reigns, her insights urge us to look back and understand that what seems new often has deep roots in the past. By reshaping our approach to history, we not only gain depth in our understanding of who we are but also begin to appreciate the complexities that define our shared humanity.<\/p>\nThe Individualism Delusion<\/h3>\n
Myths of Modernity<\/h3>\n
Humor as a Bridge<\/h3>\n
Bridging Academia and Popular Culture<\/h3>\n
A Skeptical View of Progress<\/h3>\n
History Is Not Linear<\/h3>\n
Conclusion: A Call for Reflection<\/h3>\n