The lessons we never learn

What historical event fascinates you the most?

There are so many moments in history that fascinate me, some because of their scale, others because of what they reveal about human nature. An obvious one for me is The Troubles, growing up in Northern Ireland and seeing how conflict can divide communities so deeply. I’ve always been intrigued by World War II, and how ordinary people could turn on others and somehow convince themselves that genocide was acceptable.

Other events stand out too, the AIDS pandemic, COVID-19, Brexit, Trump gaining power (not once, but twice), and of course September 11. Each of these moments changed the world in ways we’re still processing.

However, the one that has occupied most of my thoughts in recent years is Palestine. It’s devastating to see history repeating itself, another genocide unfolding before our eyes while the world watches. It makes me wonder how we, as humans, never seem to learn. Greed, power, and fear drive the same cycles of suffering again and again.

One day, we will look back on this time and ask ourselves, what on earth were we doing?