Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.

-- George Santayana

IMO this is problematic. History never repeats exactly no matter how well it is remembered. And it is not remembered that well. It is always being revised, interpreted, manipulated to suit the views of the expert du jour.

However in the last 150 years, a new dimension of historical record has emerged. Previously we were limited to oral and written history. Then came still photography, film, audio and video. History is now recorded by the man in the street.

Granted, interpretation of that history is as difficult as ever. But what actually happened is more clear. The videos of the WTC are real. No smart-ass will ever claim that this event did not happen or was faked by TPTB for their own shadowy purposes.

Wouldn't it be interesting to have videos of Christ, of the Crucifixion, of Christ ascending unto heaven (did He wave?), of the Founding Fathers, of Mohammed, of people and events of which we only have ancient scripts to document?

My question is: do you think we really learn anything from history? Do you think that we will learn more now that it is recorded in more detail? Has graphic recording of events in WWII and Viet Nam inclined the world to be more peaceful? Will video of the WTC instruct future generations in the folly of violence? Will videos of the WTC be even more than quaint entertainment in 100 years? (on Sept 11. 2101, the History Channel presents a one hour retrospective of the attack, broufght to you bt Fritolay)

I remember touring Yellowstone Park in 1989, one year after the devasting forest fire of 1988. Yes, all the charred tree trunks stood as mute sentinels to what had happened. But already there was a new green layer. Life was prevailing. The old had given way to the new. The new did not remember the old. Life-force was all that mattered.

Those who lived thru WTC will never forget it. Those who were born after might never remember it, despite the videos, audios, documentations. This is the miracle and tragedy of new life.

100 years from now there will be a fancy memorial at the site of the former WTC. Children will romp and laugh. Lovers will sigh and be lost in each other's eyes. The grand memorial will collect pigeon shit and mean as much to these people as Civil War memorials do to us.

-- Anonymous, September 25, 2001

Answers

"History is a pack of lies about events that never happened told by people who weren't there."

- George Santayana

-- Anonymous, September 28, 2001