It is said that those who don't learn from history are doomed to repeat it. In my opinion, the consistent lesson to be learned from history is that people don't learn! The paradox is clear, we can only learn from history that because people don't learn from it, they will do in the future what they have done in the past!! To put it in the other way, If people did learn from history then the past would hold none of its lessons to what the future will bring.
OK, let me test your IQ (rather FQ: foolishness quotient!) by asking a simple question. What was the most meaningful invention of the 20th century? There were many, but which one was the best? You may answer penicillin, the telephone, the computer, etc. But none of these made life more meaningful, they only made it faster. They allowed us to do the things we had done before, but faster, cheaper, easier. My question is, which invention completely turned human history on its head?
Give up?
OK, let's look at the First World War. Do you know what it was originally called?
It wasn't the First until the Second came along! It was called "The Great War".
It was supposed to be the war to end all wars. After WW1, mankind pondered, what can we learn so that we don't do this again?
They sure got that one wrong. Obviously. Because we got the Second World War.
Now, do you think the story is over? No, I reckon.
By all accounts, the Cuban Missile Crisis should have been WW3. If it had, there wouldn't have been a Fourth World War. "I don't know what will be used in the next world war, but the 4th will be fought with stones" -- Albert Einstein.
Are you getting a frightening picture as to where our life boat is cruising to?
Why is it so difficult to learn from history?
Simply put, the first step to learning from history is not to blame the other guy. If we aren't willing to accept responsibility for what happened, then we will surely repeat it.
The reason the Cuban Missile Crises was not WW3 is not because people "got it," but rather technology, or I should say, God came to the rescue. Where will Iran issue lead the world to? Who knows!
The Atom Bomb should have been, by all accounts of history, the last thing man invented. Mankind always, always, used its most potent weapons. No country ever developed a better gun or missile just for show.
But "The Bomb" changed the course of history. It is the reason western f**kers has enjoyed the longest period of sustained peace in its history.
It not only changed the way we do business, war business that is, but it changed our whole way of thinking about the other guy. We had to consider his opinion. I personally believe it was this that sparked all kinds of social reflections: the Civil Rights movement, the Equal Rights Movement, etc.
So, in a nutshell, its very important to train the next generation to respect others! They should be trianed to hear the other voice and respect the other opinion.
Being great is good and being good is great! But living together in peace is better.
Let History not repeat itself!
