Learn from History

When I was in public school, I really didn’t have a keen interest in history. I thought it was interesting, but unlike today, I find history not only fascinating, but holds a lot of information that can help improve today. We have all heard how if we don’t learn from history, then we are doomed to repeat it. Many refugees from communist countries are warning America’s today involving politics and how they see their own history playing out on United States soil. 

We also understand doing the same thing over and over again expecting different results is the equivalent of being insane. Yet, if we don’t learn from history and refuse to guard against those past mistakes, then we are doomed to be insane. 

I enjoy Dr. Gene Kim’s online videos. Structured with a simple whiteboard, he provides some drawings as he describes history and content. One of his quotes he likes to convey is, “what we learn from history is that men never learn from history.” It is a negative statement, defining men as ignorant, unwilling to grow, and insane. 

Two things come to mind while thinking upon this quote. 

• There are many cycles to be seen, when studying history. With the rise and fall of nations, we can start to see variables in play to understand the direction. 
• Just how much we do not bestow on our children proper instruction on history. I recall little interest in school. However, if media provides only 5 % of their energy upon the public promoting true teachings from history, how much better off would we be now?

The reality is much like the seasons, patterns will continue to be seen. Yet, mankind in his fallen state, through selfishness, envy, pride, and lust will remain insane and never learn from history. 

#infobymattcole #history #GeneKim #learn