To know everything ...

In the beginning, somebody asked: “Is it possible to know everything?”. Now, this question has split into two: “When did it become impossible to know everything? Is it true that nowadays it has become impossible to know all?”

When in April 1952, Alan Lodge and Peter Quennel, both founders of “History Today” the well-known monthly magazine, wrote the presentation article, they expected the answer from their readers. After more than fifty years, now that they have left this world, and I suppose do know everything, we are all left waiting for an answer.

To be honest, their question was deeper and larger. They asked: “When did it become impossible for an educated man to grasp, at least in its broader and more general outlines, the entire extent of European learning?”. They were acting not only as “educated men”, but also like Europeans. Today, this identity would be rather restricted and limited in a world that has become bigger, larger and deeper. I’d like to know from readers of this thread “Today in History” what their answers would be. Thanks to you all.

Past Masters: The Best Of History Today