Comments on: The Power of the Past http://www.ronnienurss.com/the-power-of-the-past/ Exploration and experimentation in living the Good Life Wed, 15 Dec 2010 21:45:47 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Glenn http://www.ronnienurss.com/the-power-of-the-past/comment-page-1/#comment-55 Glenn Mon, 24 Mar 2008 15:22:08 +0000 http://www.ronnienurss.com/archives/47#comment-55 Why anyone would not want to learn from history, I will never understand. After all, who doesn't want to look brilliant when sitting around with friends watching Jeopardy? In all seriousness though, you're 100% correct -- read read read read read; besides going out and LIVING, that is absolutely the best way to learn about life. But particularly with regards to history, however, one can't simply be satisfied with learning names and dates and significant events and filing that information away. One must constantly be on the look out for situations in which connections can be drawn and have knowledge applied. So often, that's why I prefer primary sources -- those relics from the past tie in perfectly to understanding the political climate, cultural situations, social unrest, anything to bridge the gap and put the situations in proper context. And then, once you go beyond understanding the "what?" and recognize the "why?" the pieces really start falling into place. Why anyone would not want to learn from history, I will never understand. After all, who doesn’t want to look brilliant when sitting around with friends watching Jeopardy?

In all seriousness though, you’re 100% correct — read read read read read; besides going out and LIVING, that is absolutely the best way to learn about life.

But particularly with regards to history, however, one can’t simply be satisfied with learning names and dates and significant events and filing that information away. One must constantly be on the look out for situations in which connections can be drawn and have knowledge applied. So often, that’s why I prefer primary sources — those relics from the past tie in perfectly to understanding the political climate, cultural situations, social unrest, anything to bridge the gap and put the situations in proper context. And then, once you go beyond understanding the “what?” and recognize the “why?” the pieces really start falling into place.

]]>