once again! wise.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

It is actually possible to erase history, the burning of the library of Alexandria is a perfect example of that. "Who controls the present now, controls the past."

by Anonymous 13 years ago

it's possible to erase memory of history but not history itself

by Anonymous 13 years ago

I'm glad you agree that it is possible to erase the memory of history, but let me ask you this: is history more than a memory? I would also like to add that the comment you made is irrelevant when you're talking about legacy, as legacy is something someone is remember for. When the memory of history is erased, so is legacy.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

History can never only be memory, even if we all had the memory of goldfish we would STILL have a history even though we wouldn't remember. You can still make your legacy which cannot be erased so long as you survive.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

I wouldn't call something legacy if it's only remember by the person itself. And besides, legacy is normally considered something that is left behind, after one's death. I don't think I exactly got what you meant by 'we would STILL have a history even though we wouldn't remember' but it sounds like you're evading the question, as you don't answer what more history is besides a memory, you're just stating that it is more. Let me change the question: If the memory of history is erased, is the history still relevant?

by Anonymous 13 years ago

Of course it is still relevant it will change what will happen in the furture

by Anonymous 13 years ago

future*

by Anonymous 13 years ago

How can it change what will happen in the future, when the memory of it is erased. Let me expand the quote I gave in my first post, it is from a Rage Against the Machine song by the way. "Who controls the present now, controls the past. Who controls the past now, controls the future" I hope I'm not bothering you too much with this discussion. I read in your profile you like philosophy and so do I. I love discussing this to learn new insights in things.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

No, i love discussions like this. juggling homework and this atm lol I listen to Rise Against a lot and love their songs because they have meaning unlike most nowadays. For example no one may remember a chemical war but it's effects are still felt across generations. You could argue that ALL memory has to be erased which means waiting until radiation/chemicals dissipate BUT whoever won the war/conflict will change the future in their image as your quotation suggests.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

First of all let me explain why I used that quote in this context. With that quote I believe it is meant that, when the memory of history is manipulated (the history itself can't), you can manipulate the future according to the past. I believe this part of the lyrics are based on 1984. When I was talking about that quote I was aiming only at the memory of history. You suggest that history is more than just a memory, at least that is how I understand your point, because it leaves marks as radiation. But these marks can't be history itself because it needs a story attached to it. This story could be seen as a memory of history. When you control the past, I'm going back to the quote, you can manipulate the story around the mark, making the mark worthless to history itself. Rise Against are pretty awesome, although I like their old stuff more than their new album. (cliché, I know.)

by Anonymous 13 years ago

Have you read the book 1984 or The Brave New Wold? I agree with what you are saying that history can be manipulated but as a rule, as in The Brave New World, there are some who will disagree and seek the truth. As is shown throughout history, considering we can throw conspiracy theories out the window, that all historical records cannot be completely removed along with rumors, unless you also brainwash every single individual to a ridiculous level. And yes their old stuff is better but they're still great.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

I have read those books. They are, in fact, my favourites along with Fahrenheit 451. I really like how the common thing in these books is the absence of (unmanipulated)(you can discuss how the history we know now is manipulated) history. There are always exceptions. Would you agree that, if you erase every memory of a history, you can manipulate the history and therefore the future? Are you into conspiracy theories? What other bands do you like?

by Anonymous 13 years ago

It is missing...weird. But yes if you do that then it is possiable

by Anonymous 13 years ago

That sounds reminiscent of 1984, is that where you got it from? Can't tell if it's a direct quote.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

I don't believe it is

by Anonymous 13 years ago

Really? Well, I know that the idea, at least, was prevalent. The idea of changing the past to control the present, of content control in general. Scary book.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

The idea was :) Great book

by Anonymous 13 years ago

It's a quote from a song by Rage Against The Machine, who based it on 1984. The song is Testify.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

I got it from Billy talent, cant remember the song tho

by Anonymous 13 years ago

Oh, I was under the assumption that SalientK meant the quote that I wrote, not the original post. Sorry.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

Nah nah I messed up as well, i think he meant this one "Who controls the present now, controls the past. Who controls the past now, controls the future"

by Anonymous 13 years ago

Which would be the quote that I posted.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

By the way, why did you delete the post in which you admitted I was right? I thought we had a respectful discussion, this is rather weak.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

I didn't as far as I know...why would I do that in any case?

by Anonymous 13 years ago

I have no idea to be honest, but your comment isn't there anymore and then only logical explanation I can think of is that. Sorry if I misjudged.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

I don't remember doing so but the discussion did end as you said, you were right.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

I've checked it, and said it again...i still dont remember doing that, ah well.

by Anonymous 13 years ago