Timeline

[Andre Marek (Gerard Butler) is a archaeologist who is talking with the boss's son Chris (Paul Walker) about the past v. the future.]

We are intrigued by the past.  Why do we think so often that the past doesn't matter?  Or that we are bored by history.  I think this is because history is done wrong.  Most of our history teacher had us memorize dates and battles.  What do these matter if not in the context of a story? So then we will dwell on the future, but to what avail?  Does worrying change anything about the future?  "The past is where it is at..."  It is from the past that we gain an understanding of who we are.  This is the reason that people who are adopted often struggle with issues of identity. 

The people who have a lack of curiosity about the reality in front of them are the people who are half dead in my opinion.  How can we stand next to something amazing like a 600 year old sarcophagus and not be moved?  What is their story, Chris admits at the end of the clip.  He is intrigued because how can we listen to the passions of our friends and not care?  We ask all the time about things around us without knowing about.  How often when we explain things that are new we use old things to help us describe it.  We are familiar with the past, but lots of times we missed something that was and is important.    

I understand where Marek gets frustrated with the future (technology) it is a blessing and a curse.  And I do miss that honor has become something regulated to the past.  "All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing" (Edmund Burke).  How many good men have done nothing?  It seems that evil has gotten the upper hand, and we have let the idea of honor slip from our hands.  It is time, to reclaim it.  Go out today and do something honorable, uphold the virtue of Chivalry.