Ancient history can be fascinating, but is it really important in the scheme of things today? History is useful if it is a predictor of physical or human behavior, or if its revelation will change the paradigm of enough influential people to change law or otherwise induce a behavioral change in a majority of people.

Ancient history concerning solar system evolution, for example, can be useful for predicting the behavior of similar planetary systems, but it is of little importance for the average person. Historical clarifications are of little consequence, but beliefs based on historical events are subject to change in light of new historical evidence. Often the new evidence is reinterpreted such that the old beliefs can be retained, but occasionally no manner of perverse reinterpretation can save an old belief from a new reality. This can have a profound effect if the belief is widely held, e.g., sun-centered instead of earth-centered solar system.

The Founding Fathers valued ancient history as a predictor of human behavior, and, accordingly, set up a system based on the insights and evidence available to them. As one example, they valued independent thought so highly that they did not establish a monolithic system of government schools. Education then was private and local.

Changing one's fundamental belief is traumatic. One must admit to themselves, their family, friends and acquaintances that all the time, money and integrity invested in the old paradigm was wasted. Paradigm shifting is invariably avoided until it cannot be ignored, and then resisted, sometimes violently, before it is accepted. Still, there are some people who resist change, no matter how overwhelming the evidence.

New historical evidence will survive the criticism and change the beliefs of those willing to listen only if it is unequivocal and persistently presented in a logical and consistent manner. This can be physically and financially exhausting. Without a willingness to alter one's belief, new information is worthless. Hence, more important than new facts or history is the ability to use it and adapt to its new reality. Common sense and logic must reign supreme over fear and superstition.

Critical analysis and synthesis are not likely to be learned at monolithic government or religious schools with their politically or religiously correct mono-curricula. They are places of indoctrination and dogma, not learning. All new ancient history, with its lessons for today, is for naught if our only educational choices are public and religious schools.

We must privatize education if we are to ever achieve a population of independent freethinkers willing to examine and accommodate new historical evidence. People should be free to contract for education of any kind, including religious education. Further more, it is fundamentally wrong to force people to pay for government education and compel children to attend public schools. We cannot keep pace with the flow of moron followers being produced by government schools. The separation of school and state must be a priority for all freethinkers.

William Holmes, a former aerospace engineer, is a Libertarian, and an Internet activist.

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