THERE is an old saying that the more things change, the more they stay the same.
History is like that. The world changes so rapidly around us that sometimes, you can wake up and barely recognise the place.
Fifteen years ago mobile phones were for yuppies and neither me nor my friends would have been seen dead with one. Now we don't leave the house without them.
Ten years ago I'd barely heard of the internet. Now it's my social network, communication hub, creative outlet, work station, news source, and sometimes comes out with me for coffee, too.
Eight years ago the world was a pretty okay place, except for wars here and there happening to other people. Then some planes flew into a tower; now terrorism is the driving force behind decisions made by my government that can affect my life directly.
Five years ago, global warming was a theory that people talked about and people in power generally dismissed. Now it is something that influences the direction my government takes in development, trade and commerce, at least in name and intent.
Yes - times they are a-changing, and rapidly so.
But are we changing with them? I'm not so sure. It seems that the average person learns the lessons of history much more effectively than the people who wield power.
Governments throughout history have leaned in some degree or another toward oppression in order to control the people. I hardly need to cite examples, but I will - medieval governments tortured and killed people to force them into the "right" religion; numerous 20th century governments practiced genocide; right now in Zimbabwe there is a government forcing its people to "vote" it back in.
But we (who live in Western Countries) are okay, right? We've learned the lessons of history. We live in a free and democratic society.
Sure we do. And if anyone says otherwise, they will be dealt with.
I'm not so sure that my Government has learned the lessons of history. (For the record, I am not American).
Things are changing so rapidly that when government institutions cannot keep up, they end up in a terrible mess.
The politicians in charge of these institutions in my country are not reacting in a way that shows any awareness of history.
People are being told to shut up. Or to ask permission of the government before they publicly speak out. Politicians are actively trying to hide their mistakes by silencing the people affected by them.
Sure, we're not seeing many consequences for our disobedience yet, which is comforting. Our society is still a little bit free and democratic.
But history teaches us that the more things change, the more things stay the same. As the Pope visits our land and laws are passed that nobody is allowed to annoy the people flocking to see him, as newspaper offices are raided and journalists face jail for protecting their sources, as school principals are pressured into silence over the problems in the education system, history suggests that things may yet change ... back.
