We often live in the present and try to make the most of what is yet to come (future). However, history is a study of the past. Many people would often wonder, why study something that has already happened? In the context of our analysis, history has often been preoccupied with how people have traditionally communicated in the past. The need to study this history is enshrined in the fact that past practices impact present-day society. One key skill that we could develop by studying history is the ability to critically assess the evidence.
Often, this advantage comes from the increasing body of literature presenting conflicting evidence about communication and media. Without an understanding of historical facts, it is easy to miss the context required to understand such kinds of information. If people study history, they would learn to combine these different kinds of evidence and present a coherent and accurate analysis of present-day facts. This skill is especially useful in intercultural communication. An analysis of historical accounts would help us easily understand the context of communication used throughout history and their assumed meanings.
The skill mentioned above brings our attention to the ability to assess conflicting interpretations in present-day society because learning our history helps us to sort out diverse and conflicting interpretations about different facts we share today. Lastly, understanding history equips us with the experience of understanding past patterns of communication, which are vital in maintaining the core of the discipline, even as technology continues to redefine our communication boundaries. In other words, by understanding this history, we could easily determine the magnitude and significance of this change. Similarly, we will understand how such changes are bound to affect the discipline in the near-term and the long-term.