Have we truly learned from the past?

[Desiree]

I would recommend those who haven't watched these documentaries on PBS to watch them. These great films show how times were really tough back then with high unemployment, droughts, diseases...

So even with significant developments in science and technologies, do you think times have changed for the better or worse since then? Are we living better lives nowadays? I don't think so.

Riding the Rails:
At the height of the Great Depression, more than 250,000 teenagers were living on the road in America.

http://video.pbs.org/video/1502653730/



Surviving the Dust Bowl:
The story of the determined people who clung to their homes and way of life, enduring drought, dust, disease and even death for nearly a decade.

http://video.pbs.org/video/1311363860/


Influenza 1918
Influenza 1918 is the story of the worst epidemic the United States has ever known. Before it was over, the flu would kill more than 600,000 Americans - more than all the combat deaths of this century combined.

http://video.pbs.org/video/1378322117/

 

[edward]

History tends to repeat itself, especially if conditions that cause one unfortunate event are allowed to happen again. We have a whole new version of robber barrons. This time around they have computers.

Frontline Inside the Melt Down.

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/meltdown/view/

 

[edward]

Desiree we have yet to see what could be the worst of tough times.

If you want to know where Wall Street is today with it's Quants and hyper-electronics watch:

Quants the Alchemists of Wall Street



Wall street operates using computer programs that bankers and investors don't understand. Those programs are written by people who don't understand economics.

 

[TMFKAN64]

When in doubt, appeal to authority.

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to heaven, we were all going direct the other way - in short, the period was so far like the present period, that some of its noisiest authorities insisted on its being received, for good or for evil, in the superlative degree of comparison only.

 

[LudusRex]

I believe that it is important for us to learn from the past in order to make progress and improve our lives in the present and future. These documentaries on PBS provide valuable insights into the struggles and challenges faced by people in the past, and serve as a reminder that we should not take our current advancements and comforts for granted.

However, it is also important to acknowledge that while some aspects of life may have improved, there are still many issues and problems that persist in our society. High unemployment, natural disasters, and diseases are still prevalent, and it is our responsibility as scientists and individuals to continue learning and finding solutions to these issues.

In terms of living better lives, I believe that it is subjective and varies from person to person. While advancements in science and technology have certainly made our lives easier in many ways, it is also important to consider the impact on the environment and society as a whole. We must continue to strive for a balance between progress and sustainability.

In conclusion, I believe that we have learned from the past, but there is always room for improvement. It is up to us to take the lessons from history and use them to create a better future for ourselves and the generations to come. These documentaries serve as a reminder of the resilience and strength of humanity, and we must continue to learn from the past to shape a better tomorrow.