Wrong Side of History

Wrong Side of History, authored by Ed West, explores a diverse range of social, cultural, and political topics. It delves into the nuances of modern life, societal issues, and historical contexts to reflect on current challenges, trends, and the evolving nature of conservatism and cultural identity.

Social and Cultural Analysis Political Commentary Historical Contexts Conservatism and Nationalism Media and Society Mental Health and Wellbeing Architectural and Urban Planning Public Safety and Law Enforcement National Security and Defense Housing and Urban Development Religion and Spirituality Multiculturalism and Diversity Technology and Social Media Entertainment and Popular Culture

Top posts of the year

And their main takeaways

Journey to the Imperial City

308 implied HN points • 06 Feb 25
🏝 Travel Cultural Food History Tourism Adventure
  1. Vietnam has a mix of modern life and its communist past, with shops and decor that reflect both eras. It's interesting to see how the economy thrives alongside this history.
  2. The food and coffee culture in Vietnam are vibrant and diverse, with different flavors in the north and south. Trying local dishes like egg coffee can be a fun adventure.
  3. Traveling through Vietnam can be a real experience, highlighting both beautiful tourist spots and the impact of past wars. It's essential to be cautious about food, especially when trying local cuisine.

The beautiful rebirth of Dresden (2)

303 implied HN points • 13 Feb 25
🎭️ Culture Architecture History Urbanism Art Heritage
  1. Dresden has seen a lot of restoration after being heavily damaged in WWII. Local efforts have helped rebuild parts of the city to bring back its historical beauty.
  2. A community group called the Dresden Historical Neumarkt Society played a big role in this rebuilding. They gathered thousands of signatures to push for the restoration of key sites.
  3. People in Dresden are excited about their city's revival and are looking forward to making it a beautiful place like other major European cities.

Bess of Hardwick, mother of dynasties

299 implied HN points • 23 May 25
💾 History Architecture Biographies
  1. Bess of Hardwick was a powerful figure in Tudor England who built a strong dynasty through her marriages and connections. She became the richest woman of her time and left a notable legacy.
  2. She faced many challenges, including the deaths of her husbands and navigating a risky political environment. Despite this, she skillfully managed her family and properties, like Hardwick Hall and Chatsworth.
  3. Bess's life story showcases her intelligence, resilience, and ability to thrive in a male-dominated society. Her impressive homes stand as a testament to her achievements and enduring influence.

Soothing the injured spirit of the Temple

299 implied HN points • 03 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture History Art Architecture Heritage Travel
  1. The Elgin Marbles are a point of controversy, with many people in Greece wanting them returned. Recent talks suggest they could be loaned to Greece, potentially making this arrangement permanent.
  2. Public opinion in Britain is largely in favor of returning the Marbles, although not everyone feels strongly about it. The British Museum has a history of preserving important artifacts, which some believe justifies keeping the Marbles.
  3. Historically, Britain has been seen as a protector of global heritage through its museums. Many antiquities could have been lost without British efforts to preserve them, as demonstrated by the destruction of cultural sites in conflict zones.

Why the Danes do it better (and other stories)

289 implied HN points • 08 Jun 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Justice System Political Opinion Social Issues Public Policy Cultural Commentary
  1. Denmark's summerhouse culture promotes happiness, as many people have access to homes by the coast. This is different from the UK's struggle with second home ownership and the politics around it.
  2. Danish politics thrive on transparency and honesty, helping to maintain trust and satisfaction among the public. This contrasts with the perception of politics in countries like Britain, where trust has eroded.
  3. The discussion around welfare in the UK highlights a connection between social breakdown and dependency on benefits, raising concerns about long-term consequences and the need for systemic change.
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The case for a Global Sanctuary City

289 implied HN points • 11 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Immigration Refugees Asylum Human Rights
  1. Many Syrians might not be able to go home yet, as the situation in Syria is still uncertain after the fall of Assad. It's too early to assume safety for those who wish to return.
  2. A significant number of Syrians are currently living in neighboring countries and Europe, but many locals are unhappy about the inflow of refugees. The balance of accepting refugees while keeping the local population content is tricky.
  3. The current refugee system, like the UN Refugee Convention, may need an update due to changing times and large migration waves. There could be serious social and economic effects if migration isn't managed properly.

Shah Shah a Come Come

284 implied HN points • 21 Jun 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Foreign Policy Political theory Cultural Commentary Historical Analysis Current Events
  1. Iran's current regime is using old plans from the Shah's time for their nuclear program, but it hasn't achieved much yet. Many Iranians still feel a sense of nationalism despite their discontent with the government.
  2. There's a notion that society's challenges should be addressed with stability in government rather than just pushing for democracy. A monarchist approach could offer long-term solutions instead.
  3. London has a mix of wealth and poverty, and many people are leaving for other areas in search of opportunities. This shift is changing the cultural landscape, making London feel less connected to the rest of the UK.

Inside the Catholic State

280 implied HN points • 27 Oct 24
💾 History Art history Religious history Cultural Studies Political History Biography
  1. Caravaggio's life and art were heavily influenced by the religious tensions of his time, particularly the struggles between Catholicism, Protestantism, and Islam. This backdrop shaped his perspective and themes in his work.
  2. Milan during the Counter-Reformation was a strict Catholic state, ruled by figures like Carlo Borromeo, who enforced harsh religious laws. People faced severe punishments for crimes seen as against the faith.
  3. The Pope during this time, Pius IV, was known for his intolerance and refusal to consider differing opinions. His death led to violent celebrations, highlighting the public's discontent with oppressive rule.

The Scottish Play

280 implied HN points • 06 Nov 24
📚 Literature Poetry Drama Literary Analysis Shakespeare
  1. Macbeth explores deep themes like ambition, guilt, and fate, making it a timeless classic that connects to modern stories like Breaking Bad.
  2. Lady Macbeth is a strong, complicated character who challenges traditional gender roles, and her descent into madness raises important psychological questions.
  3. The play is surrounded by superstition, with its notorious curse and the dramatic history of rival performances highlighting its cultural impact.

Leaving behind the history written in letters of blood

275 implied HN points • 23 Dec 24
💾 History European history Nationalism Immigration Philosophy Ethics
  1. European society changed a lot after World War II, and old ideas of guilt and hospitality mixed with a new horror from the war. This shift influenced how people thought about nationalism and morality.
  2. People became very afraid of nationalism after the war, often going too far in pushing it away, which made them overlook other important values like order and liberty.
  3. There is a strong belief among European elites that immigration is always a good thing, even if the reasons they give can be confusing. This ideology has become common in their discussions.

The Worst Year Ever

261 implied HN points • 20 Jan 25
💾 History Pandemics Epidemics Societal Impact Public Health
  1. The Black Death was a huge historical event that many people don't like to talk about because it was so depressing. Unlike wars, pandemics don't usually have inspiring stories attached to them.
  2. Most pandemics, including the Black Death, tend to be forgotten over time. This happens because, unlike wars, they don't create heroic narratives or national pride.
  3. The author originally wanted to write a book about the Plague, but felt that no one really wanted to read about pandemics due to their grim nature. Instead, they decided to share their findings as a series of posts.

Educated rage

256 implied HN points • 30 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political polarization Higher education Cultural Issues Voter Behavior Party Affiliation
  1. Higher education has grown a lot since the post-war period, leading to more people getting college degrees. This change has shifted how people vote, especially since the 1970s.
  2. In the past, college graduates tended to support right-wing politics. However, as cultural issues gained importance, more educated people began to lean left.
  3. The rise of higher education is compared to major historical changes, like the end of the priesthood. It has intensified cultural conflicts and made views on both sides more extreme.

Coming to America

251 implied HN points • 24 May 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political Commentary Immigration Social Issues Cultural critique Historical Analysis
  1. Many people feel that guilt from past events influences current decisions, sometimes leading to harmful consequences for future generations.
  2. Diversity and trust are important topics, but there often needs to be more focus on actual studies and facts rather than just personal opinions.
  3. The issue of social housing is complex, and current systems may not be benefiting those they are meant to help, leading to socio-economic challenges.

The Indian-American century

246 implied HN points • 30 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics International relations Policy Analysis Cultural impact Legal issues
  1. Ultrasound technology was first used in the 1950s for checking fetal health, but it led to sex-selective abortions in countries like India and China. This happened because many families preferred sons over daughters, which affected the natural balance of genders.
  2. The sex ratio at birth has been heavily skewed in India, with a notable rise in male births compared to females, reaching an alarming peak of 111 males for every 100 females in 2010. Despite legal bans and public campaigns against it, the issue persisted for years.
  3. Although recent years have shown some improvement in the gender ratio at birth, there are still millions more men than women in younger generations. For example, among Indian-born Sikhs, the ratio is shockingly high at 130 males for every 100 females.

Rome’s miserable fate

242 implied HN points • 15 Feb 25
💾 History Ancient Civilizations Epidemics Cultural analysis
  1. Farming led to more people living close together, which made it easier for diseases to spread. When humans and animals are close, they can share illnesses, causing epidemics.
  2. Rome had big cities that were perfect for outbreaks of disease. These epidemics were a major reason why the Roman Empire eventually fell apart.
  3. The fall of Rome was a complicated topic with many reasons given, but one strong argument is that a number of deadly diseases wiped out a large part of its population.

Fellow believers or fellow citizens?

237 implied HN points • 03 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political Debate Polarization Civil Rights Political violence Election Issues
  1. Many people feel anxious about political divisions in America today. There's a lot of talk about how this divide might be getting worse.
  2. The idea of a 'Cold Civil War' is being used to describe the deep ideological splits in the country. Despite this, actual civil war seems unlikely.
  3. There have been violent incidents lately, like assassination attempts, that contribute to fears of increasing violence and division in society.

The New Magisterium

227 implied HN points • 29 May 25
🎭️ Culture Arts Comedy Media Society History
  1. Censorship has changed over time; it used to be strict but now new taboos and speech codes have replaced the old ones. This means people still try to control what can be said, just in different ways.
  2. In the past, there was a time when it was okay for art and comedy to be very free and offensive. Shows like 'South Park' pushed boundaries that couldn't have been crossed before, showing a shift in cultural acceptance.
  3. Now, there seems to be a new movement to impose moral standards again, reminding us that the desire to censor has never really gone away, and it might be getting stronger.

Doctrine encrusting the lava of rebellion

223 implied HN points • 31 May 25
🎭️ Culture Social Change Philosophy Religious Studies Historical Analysis Literary Criticism
  1. Society has gone through a big change in values over the last several decades. What was once considered moral has shifted to a new set of beliefs.
  2. This shift can feel like more freedom or tolerance, but it's really about replacing one moral order with another. It's a change not just in laws but in what people believe is right or wrong.
  3. Just like in ancient Rome when Christianity took over, our current times show how one belief system can dominate and change the views of the elite as well.

The Phantom of Polarisation

208 implied HN points • 01 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political Identity Polarization Public Opinion Political Beliefs
  1. People might not actually disagree on politics as much as they seem. It often feels more like a divide between groups than real differences in beliefs.
  2. Political identity can become more important than individual views. Once people identify strongly with a party, their specific opinions might not matter as much.
  3. Understanding tribalism helps explain why some conflicts are labeled as religious or political when they may really be more about group identity.

Thoughts of a most impure and libidinous character

180 implied HN points • 27 May 25
🎭️ Culture Censorship Film Society Morality Liberation
  1. Censorship decreased a lot at the end of the 20th century, which people started to see as a negative thing. Society began to value freedom and expression over restrictions.
  2. The Hays Code, which limited what could be shown in American movies, was a reflection of older moral values. It stopped filmmakers from including things like profanity, sexual content, or sympathy for criminals.
  3. This code and similar restrictions ended around 1968, leading to a more permissive society. Changes in laws around divorce, abortion, and homosexuality also played a part in this shift.