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Why Are So Many Romances Set in the Regency Period?

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Re: Why Are So Many Romances Set in the Regency Period?

#11

Post by the_af »

naringas wrote: post #7

because this period of history is being rewrriten in the public culture to reifnorce myths about the present and so influence (softly control) the future edit: the first sentence gets downvoted. I both expected and felt bad about it.

Can you elaborate? Which myths are being reinforced, how can they be used to influence the future, and who is trying to influence it and for what?

I'm not asking for hard references, like your other comment implied. Just trying to make sense of your comment.

Re: Why Are So Many Romances Set in the Regency Period?

#12

Post by seneca »

naringas wrote: post #7

because this period of history is being rewrriten in the public culture to reifnorce myths about the present and so influence (softly control) the future edit: the first sentence gets downvoted. I both expected and felt bad about it.

Indeed. It's startling how much entertainment is actually social engineering. It's worth reading Propaganda by Edward Bernaise if you're interested in better understanding these coordinated approaches.

I'm not sure how much I'd say that's why so much romance is set in a particular era, but I'd buy that's why they are promoted so much and heavily influences their tone and themes.

"Who control the past controls the future. Who controls present controls the past." essentially.

Re: Why Are So Many Romances Set in the Regency Period?

#13

Post by seneca »

naringas wrote: post #10
naringas wrote: post #7

because this period of history is being rewrriten in the public culture to reifnorce myths about the present and so influence (softly control) the future edit: the first sentence gets downvoted. I both expected and felt bad about it.

so I expand: but of course, this is not an answer; it's an explanation in the style of the surreal way in which I have chosen to make sense of the larger world around me. however, who am I to chose how to make sense of the world? who am I to say that mytholgy-engineering has anything to do with the reason for the creation lots and lots of romances set in the british pre-victorian era? in order to be taken seriously I…

HN, for all of its claims of intellectualism, is pretty unforgiving to any thoughts that don't fit one of a couple of echo chamber themes. I hang around because I think it's important for people (including me) to hear other ideas, but you should expect to be downvoted.

Re: Why Are So Many Romances Set in the Regency Period?

#14

Post by selimthegrim »

naringas wrote: post #10
naringas wrote: post #7

because this period of history is being rewrriten in the public culture to reifnorce myths about the present and so influence (softly control) the future edit: the first sentence gets downvoted. I both expected and felt bad about it.

so I expand: but of course, this is not an answer; it's an explanation in the style of the surreal way in which I have chosen to make sense of the larger world around me. however, who am I to chose how to make sense of the world? who am I to say that mytholgy-engineering has anything to do with the reason for the creation lots and lots of romances set in the british pre-victorian era? in order to be taken seriously I…

Man, you really hated Bridgerton huh

Re: Why Are So Many Romances Set in the Regency Period?

#15

Post by travisgriggs »

Today I learned there was a short period of history called Regency and I demured on the fact that British society could put a psycho executive in restraint while my country, a supposed enlightened democracy (the US), can not.

I actually found the article wanting. I could not turn to a colleague after reading it and explain why this period was an ideal setting for romances. I learned who some of sources of romance in this period are. I learned that perhaps modern romances set in the period aren't true to the original form. And I got a glimpse at some of the attributes of said era (fictional or not so). But I did not see much that told me why this was an appealing backdrop for romance novels. What about this era makes it ideal for romance vs other eras?

Re: Why Are So Many Romances Set in the Regency Period?

#16

Post by silicon2401 »

seneca wrote: post #13
naringas wrote: post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

so I expand: but of course, this is not an answer; it's an explanation in the style of the surreal way in which I have chosen to make sense of the larger world around me. however, who am I to chose how to make sense of the world? who am I to say that mytholgy-engineering has anything to do with the reason for the creation lots and lots of romances set in the british pre-victorian era? in order to be taken seriously I…

HN, for all of its claims of intellectualism, is pretty unforgiving to any thoughts that don't fit one of a couple of echo chamber themes. I hang around because I think it's important for people (including me) to hear other ideas, but you should expect to be downvoted.

I've only been coming to this site for maybe 5 years now (not under this account in case people do the lame reddit thing of checking your account history at the drop of a hat), but I feel like even in that time things have become noticeably more echo-y here.

Re: Why Are So Many Romances Set in the Regency Period?

#17

Post by lkbm »

naringas wrote: post #7

because this period of history is being rewrriten in the public culture to reifnorce myths about the present and so influence (softly control) the future edit: the first sentence gets downvoted. I both expected and felt bad about it.

That explains nothing whatsoever as to what's so special about the Regency period? As the article notes, it's nine years. Why not when George III was still in command? Why not during Victoria's reign?

Re: Why Are So Many Romances Set in the Regency Period?

#18

Post by nomdep »

seneca wrote: post #13
naringas wrote: post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

so I expand: but of course, this is not an answer; it's an explanation in the style of the surreal way in which I have chosen to make sense of the larger world around me. however, who am I to chose how to make sense of the world? who am I to say that mytholgy-engineering has anything to do with the reason for the creation lots and lots of romances set in the british pre-victorian era? in order to be taken seriously I…

HN, for all of its claims of intellectualism, is pretty unforgiving to any thoughts that don't fit one of a couple of echo chamber themes. I hang around because I think it's important for people (including me) to hear other ideas, but you should expect to be downvoted.

Some americans went insane after Trump won in 2016 and the media fed that insanity for harvesting clicks.

As a reaction, the "with me or against me" mantra was increasingly strong for the last four and a half years.

I hope people calm down again now that that its over.

Re: Why Are So Many Romances Set in the Regency Period?

#19

Post by dudul »

naringas wrote: post #10
naringas wrote: post #7

because this period of history is being rewrriten in the public culture to reifnorce myths about the present and so influence (softly control) the future edit: the first sentence gets downvoted. I both expected and felt bad about it.

so I expand: but of course, this is not an answer; it's an explanation in the style of the surreal way in which I have chosen to make sense of the larger world around me. however, who am I to chose how to make sense of the world? who am I to say that mytholgy-engineering has anything to do with the reason for the creation lots and lots of romances set in the british pre-victorian era? in order to be taken seriously I…

Without providing sources or backing, it would be useful to be a bit more explicit. You could mention the myths that are being re-inforced, that would be interesting.

Re: Why Are So Many Romances Set in the Regency Period?

#20

Post by heavenlyblue »

travisgriggs wrote: post #15

Today I learned there was a short period of history called Regency and I demured on the fact that British society could put a psycho executive in restraint while my country, a supposed enlightened democracy (the US), can not. I actually found the article wanting. I could not turn to a colleague after reading it and explain why this period was an ideal setting for romances. I learned who some of sources of romance in…

The supposedly enlightened democracy is currently heavily polarised and the British society back then was not.
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