Paul wrote:
"I think that if a person studies enough history, they will come to the inevitable conclusion that what we are doing is stupid, and that we should immediately start helping each other instead of trying to get more for ourselves.

I know that sounds simplistic and pollyannaie, and I don't claim to know how to get everyone to read enough history."

The solution is that someone really goes deep,
actually plumbs to the truth of things, then
brings it back in a highly engaging form.
James Burke showed a glimmer of the light
in The Day the Universe Changed and other programs...
There are a few more.

What is the "truth of things?"
That with pretty damb good DNA,
and in part due to management and economic
system flaws, most of us humans were
very modest fools rolling in the mud or dust
and sleeping in ditches 'til recently.

And that the miracles of flight, electronic
communications, and similar advancements,
are a hint at where we go when we bridle in
our dissipative urges ENOUGH to get really interested in higher complexity.
And that the Inquisitions are a hint at what
we do when that faculty goes awry and becomes
too extreme.

Etc. History is us in the raw, and if a person
does not just READ, but REVERIEs a lot, they're going to start feeling very peculiarly and deeply interested. Then, they can say something great about it which might not have been heard before or much.

I really appreciate having someone like you to say this to, since you actually seem to read my posts. I hope you will write a history book
even if only - Mike

• Even if only "what you think about it!" - quiet - October 15, 2002 - 18:11 UTC