You Had to Be There.

The article explores the emerging field of the history of emotions and senses, focusing on the work of historian Rob Boddice, who challenges conventional understandings of human emotions across time. Boddice, co-founder of the Centre of Excellence in the History of Experiences (HEX) in Finland, argues that emotions are not universal but rather shaped by cultural and historical contexts, suggesting that our modern interpretations of feelings may not accurately reflect those of people in the past. He emphasizes the need for an interdisciplinary approach to reconstruct historical experiences, advocating for a deeper understanding of how individuals in different eras perceived and processed their emotions. Boddice's work aims to disrupt the notion of a shared human experience, encouraging a more nuanced engagement with the complexities of emotional life throughout history. [Extracted from the article]