The technology since the early days has changed. Yet
the moral position remains the same. One can rid the
world of atrocities only by refusing to take part in
them.

Aleksandr I. Solzhenitsyn once wrote about an old
Russian proverb that stated:

"No, don't! Don't dig up the past!
Dwell on the past and you'll lose an eye!"

But the proverb goes on to say:

"Forget the past and
You'll lose both eyes!"

We must learn the truth about our past and learn
from our mistakes and tragedies to try to prevent them
from happening again.

However, there are many people who insist that there is
no such thing as "objective history."

The historian can establish that an act took place on a certain
day. However when a historian begins to look critically at
motivation, circumstances, context, or any other such
considerations, the product becomes unacceptable for one or
another camp of readers.

Continued stereotyping of any nation can encourage "counter-stereotyping" and the result is usually a complete breakdown
in communication.

Many people are often reluctant to modify their judgements.
Therefore it is crucial to try to deal constructively with
whatever major questions may challenge a nation. History
should stimulate discussion and debate.

Many years ago I was the only witness to an incident in which a vessel was lost. Several weeks later I happened to be in a Bar having a quiet drink when the group next to me brought up that incident & one started to explain how it happened. Of course this was too much for me to hold back on & I remarked that I had actually witnessed it all & explained how it all unfolded while I was watching. Well, the chap who had explained earlier went on the defensive & argued that there was no way it happened as I witnessed it.
I imagine that the recording of history does at times happen along the same lines.

Dear Nathan,

«History: "A chronological record of significant events"»

Now who is to decide which events were significant? Significant for whom?

Most history books record events that were significant for nations, but are you a nation? Otherwise why waste your time?

If you care for your spirit, then the best history to read that could be significant for your own spiritual progress, is about the lives of saints.

<<Now who is to decide which events were significant? Significant for whom?>>

There are plenty of examples and I can list some. For example, Teachers, University lecturers, Schools, history groups, representative bodies, parents, Parliaments, Politicians etc.

When one looks at history, it can and does have many perspectives to it, which some do not recognise. For example one cannot get this variation of understanding through various sectors that exist (all with vested interests), as one is forced to accept what they offer.

The worst examples tend to be Schools and Universities. I was forced to go to school and if I wish to study further, I may need to consider University.

There is a very set system to follow and if I don't go by the book, my work will generally be marked with an F.

Other elements of society take history into a different perspective. One example can be Buddhism. Buddhism has many takes on history, in many ways more that a history book I may be forced to read at a school can provide. I would rather have the opportunity to learn from the perspectives of others - but schools generally won't provide that.

Instead, at most schools, people are forced to undertake hours of homework, when I would really like to see more people learn and gain from others, regarding their position on history and see it spread to a broader cross section of people, seeing better understanding of the positions of others and hopefully leading to a more open minded and better educated community.

//I was forced to go to school and if I wish to study further, I may need to consider University.//

Oh, you poor little snowflake! Of all the horrible deprivations that mankind has ever dreamt up! Being forced, against your will, to gain an education. What a shame it isn't the 19th century, when you could have been down the coalmine or up the chimney or in the gutter crapping yourself to death of dysentery instead. Oh woe, oh misery, oh calamity.

//Instead, at most schools, people are forced to undertake hours of homework, when I would really like to see more people learn and gain from others//

OK, how old are you? And do your parents know you use this website? Have you discussed your use of this website with them? I don't think it's necessarily bad that you're on here, it's not a porn website or anything. But we do discuss adult topics, and the debate can get pretty ugly sometimes... I think it I'd feel a lot more comfortable if I knew your parents were closely supervising your use of this website. And only after you've done ALL your homework. And cleaned your room, young man (joke).

Look, I know it sucks, but it's there for a reason. School is to teach you how to think, not what to think, and doing homework helps. And then after that... well, you don't have to go to uni. There's no shame in doing a TAFE course and being an armchair historian. Whatever gets you a job. Being an armchair historian is more fun anyway. Real historians have to read tons of boring documents, ask Joe (Loudmouth) about it if he pops his head up on this discussion.

If you watch NITV you will be shown the glories of living primitive. There are those that believe we should return to the bush as they got it right! The technological developments of recent history are destroying the Planet and humanity.
Those that have not learnt from history are bound to repeat the past evils. We decry Hitler, Pol Pot etc but we Australians murder 50 to 70 thousand healthy unborn each year and make no complaint about it. Secretly some are at war with unplanned pregnancy killing their children.

Dominant ideologies rise in a Nation with a few followers and change history because there is complacent resistance. Currently we have radical Marxist and Islamic extremism pushing their agenda in the United Nations and taught at elite University Levels as the New World Order.