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pampango

(24,692 posts)

11. Understanding history is like understanding science - it helps you figure out what will happen.

Sat Apr 26, 2014, 09:03 AM

Apr 2014

The right is just as good at ignoring history as they are at ignoring science in order to believe what they 'just know to be true.' We all know countless examples of that. Indeed, it is rare to find instances where science and history back up a conservative policy.

The left is much less guilty of that but occasionally you will hear here that history (particularly if certain history is not consistent with a certain current policy belief) is irrelevant because 'things are different now'.

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Why We MUST Study History [View all] RBInMaine Apr 2014 OP

This is another of the devastations of the Common Core. Squinch Apr 2014 #1

I assume the Common Core will have to be modified. It is an over-reach. It is out of level. RBInMaine Apr 2014 #2

Let's hope. Squinch Apr 2014 #3

It's been an ongoing loss for some time Scootaloo Apr 2014 #5

textbooks? abelenkpe Apr 2014 #27

Format doesn't matter, the content and the gravity that pulls it in a certain direction doesn't TheKentuckian Apr 2014 #60

It is short-sighted to put this at the feet of Common Core Android3.14 Apr 2014 #32

Thanks for your concern about my vision. Squinch Apr 2014 #34

"It" was about why we must study history Android3.14 Apr 2014 #37

In the first article you link, the only description of those who oppose the common core Squinch Apr 2014 #38

It is good to have standards, but they need to balanced and reasonable. Most adults can not pass RBInMaine Apr 2014 #53

I agree. And they shouldn't be devised by the companies and groups whose Squinch Apr 2014 #54

School is not just to prepare people for corporate life. It is about the WHOLE human being. RBInMaine Apr 2014 #57

You make a very good point about the CULTURAL PROBLEM, which is why we can't just foist "higher RBInMaine Apr 2014 #42

How does the culture celebrate mediocrity? treestar Apr 2014 #58

I have faith (no pun intended_ that many charter schools are doing a fine job of teaching merrily Apr 2014 #4

And which Christian nation would that be? eShirl Apr 2014 #6

Armenia? merrily Apr 2014 #7

lol eShirl Apr 2014 #8

I admit that my posts are chock full of merrily Apr 2014 #9

Thank you, from a history professor. a la izquierda Apr 2014 #10

Thank you X2 from a history and geography teacher and a history PhD Candidate. Nanjing to Seoul Apr 2014 #29

Thanks for all you do. RBInMaine Apr 2014 #43

Understanding history is like understanding science - it helps you figure out what will happen. pampango Apr 2014 #11

What we learn from history is really learning about human nature. It shows us how we have reacted jwirr Apr 2014 #24

Good points. RBInMaine Apr 2014 #44

BRAVO!!! mckara Apr 2014 #12

Thanks. RBInMaine Apr 2014 #45

As a history lover lovemydog Apr 2014 #13

Third, history teaches us that things have never been easy. mia Apr 2014 #23

How have you explored your family history? lovemydog Apr 2014 #33

Start with interviewing older relatives, maybe even recording them on video. Find out as much as RBInMaine Apr 2014 #56

It all started when I first met my great-uncle at my grandfather's funeral. mia Apr 2014 #36

Videographies have become very popular. Good idea. Thanks for your other comments. RBInMaine Apr 2014 #46

Well said. northoftheborder Apr 2014 #14

Even worse is the lack of instruction in geography FarCenter Apr 2014 #15

In the Internet Age, I'd say that geography is less important than in the past. randome Apr 2014 #19

Why? No matter how far we venture into the virtual world, we still are of necessity Skidmore Apr 2014 #22

I'm not sure the Internet Age is always for the best. randome Apr 2014 #30

I think most books have gotten better. They can't cover every possible detail. Geography, yes. RBInMaine Apr 2014 #48

There's a long history of people demanding we study history. malthaussen Apr 2014 #16

Visit the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History online mia Apr 2014 #17

Very cool ! Thanks ! RBInMaine Apr 2014 #49

Native Americans also sometimes ruthlessly slaughtered one another. randome Apr 2014 #18

Well said, very well said... giftedgirl77 Apr 2014 #20

Thanks! randome Apr 2014 #31

There is a lot of "inconvenient" history. We MUST study history to understand the present, and it RBInMaine Apr 2014 #51

I do agree that knowing history benefits us. randome Apr 2014 #55

Historcial illiteracy is more than a national phenomenon. Democracyinkind Apr 2014 #21

Many thanks for that great response. RBInMaine Apr 2014 #39

This is what education is currently designed to do... rrneck Apr 2014 #25

"How can we hope to understand our ideals of rugged individualism and collective responsibility... mia Apr 2014 #26

Great response. Thanks. RBInMaine Apr 2014 #40

I'm a little sore . . . Brigid Apr 2014 #28

Thanks. RBInMaine Apr 2014 #41

Rocket scientists say that history is worthless without acting on it. L0oniX Apr 2014 #35

It helps us UNDERSTAND the world today. We can act on it by doing positive things and making our RBInMaine Apr 2014 #52

I was just saying this to myself in regards to the new GA guns everywhere law. boston bean Apr 2014 #47

Yes, we must learn the lessons of history. RBInMaine Apr 2014 #50

unfortunately, some history books are kinda bunk hfojvt Apr 2014 #59