Paradoxical huh? Not really!
"History is more linked to the future, than it seems".
Says who? Me!!
Having hated history (read social science) for the significant part of my life (almost my entire school and college life! Partly because it was nearly impossible for me to get the facts like dates, names and places right which meant I had to study hard and partly due to the series of stern teachers that taught the subject), gradually now I have come to realise that it might entirely not be a waste of time to study and understand history.
History is useful. Not because it allows us to take pride in the success and heroics of our forefathers (seems less logical, as our birth is a mere game of chance), or establish superiority over other 'groups' (just because the generation(s) before us did the same, leaving behind the question "is it reasonable?"), or take undue advantage in the current society due to the fact that our forefathers were treated unjustly (sins of the father follows the son, huh?). Though these are the 'benefits' that invariably accompany the knowledge of history, there is one substantial advantage that history can offer us - Not repeating mistakes !
History, in layman terms, is rise and fall of nations, societies , communities, etc. or to be concise, rise and fall of humankind. As we have evolved, we have experienced too many peaks and pitfalls. Instead of feeling glorious about the peaks of the past, if we take a closer look at the pitfalls, we might gain strategic insights on how not to live! Societies and nations stand to profit a lot from not reiterating the blunders of the past!
Taking this rational perspective on history, might seem like 'destroying values (cultural)' and 'robbing people of their pride', but in reality, it is the cornerstone upon which we can build a better society.. a better nation... and thus a better world.. for the generations to come!!
"History is more linked to the future, than it seems".
Says who? Me!!
Having hated history (read social science) for the significant part of my life (almost my entire school and college life! Partly because it was nearly impossible for me to get the facts like dates, names and places right which meant I had to study hard and partly due to the series of stern teachers that taught the subject), gradually now I have come to realise that it might entirely not be a waste of time to study and understand history.
History is useful. Not because it allows us to take pride in the success and heroics of our forefathers (seems less logical, as our birth is a mere game of chance), or establish superiority over other 'groups' (just because the generation(s) before us did the same, leaving behind the question "is it reasonable?"), or take undue advantage in the current society due to the fact that our forefathers were treated unjustly (sins of the father follows the son, huh?). Though these are the 'benefits' that invariably accompany the knowledge of history, there is one substantial advantage that history can offer us - Not repeating mistakes !
History, in layman terms, is rise and fall of nations, societies , communities, etc. or to be concise, rise and fall of humankind. As we have evolved, we have experienced too many peaks and pitfalls. Instead of feeling glorious about the peaks of the past, if we take a closer look at the pitfalls, we might gain strategic insights on how not to live! Societies and nations stand to profit a lot from not reiterating the blunders of the past!
Taking this rational perspective on history, might seem like 'destroying values (cultural)' and 'robbing people of their pride', but in reality, it is the cornerstone upon which we can build a better society.. a better nation... and thus a better world.. for the generations to come!!
Indeed very true
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