Saturday, December 7, 2013

Field Journal #3 - Repeated History

History often repeats itself. Though the accounts and events may not be similiar or identical, there is definitely a pattern that emerges that shows mankind either imitates history, or it is mankind's nature to make the same choices in similar situations regardless of the exterior environment.
An opportunity arises to claim ownership over something that is not yours and extort it for your own personal wealth is a story written a hundred times over (in reality, and in Hollywood). Fust and Gutenberg are two characters from history who's story has been repeated often. And like many of the stories before them, and since them, both men arguably feel that they're actions were justified and honorable, and they both deserved the right to claim what was there's.
Each men played a very stereotypical role that has been repeated over and over. So not only are the plots the same, but the actors and characters are the same as well. There's the one that came up with the brilliant idea (Gutenberg), and then there's the one that sees that the idea could make a strong profit if it were used and marketed differently (Fust), so a struggle ensues over the morals. Steve Jobs can easily be said to the modern day Gutenberg; a genius (who may have stolen some of his ideas from another character) who was ousted from his own company by John Sculley, who felt that he could steer the ship in a more profitable direction.

It's men like Fust and Gutenberg, Steve Jobs and John Sculley, or two siblings arguing over a family inheritance, that have created a culture and society where trust is hard to come by. You never know when the person standing next to you, or the person you've known all your life, will turn your life upside down, all in the name of profit and power.

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