[32ftpersecond]

But we've strayed away from the old knowledge (e.g. classics) -- the stuff that keeps repeating itself...

[CamperBob]

If history repeats itself, then why not study newer, more relevant iterations?

[32ftpersecond]

The Classics are timeless and thus always relevant, that's why they're still read today. Can anyone really argue that reading Jimmy Carter over Cicero or Marcus Aurelius is preferable because of temporal relevancy factors?