Why Understanding History Matters: Lessons from Andy Serkis, Neil Gorsuch, and the Declaration of Independence

In recent weeks, two interviews I conducted for Reason have lingered in my mind, despite the stark differences between the two figures involved: actor-director Andy Serkis and Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch.

Together, they underscore a critical truth: understanding the past is essential to making sense of the present and shaping a better future.

Andy Serkis and the Ambiguity of Progress

Serkis, best known for bringing characters like Gollum, King Kong, and Ian Dury to life, has also directed a new animated adaptation of George Orwell’s Animal Farm. The film, however, has faced harsh criticism on Rotten Tomatoes, holding a dismal 26% on the Tomatometer.

During our conversation, Serkis and I explored the relationship between history and progress. His adaptation of Animal Farm departs from Orwell’s original Soviet context, replacing the villain—Joseph Stalin—with an expansionist billionaire aiming to seize the farm and construct a corporate campus. This shift, however, undermines the allegory’s coherence. The stark contrast between totalitarian state coercion and the perceived benevolence of modern corporations—such as Amazon’s employee benefits—highlights the flaw in this reimagining.

Serkis’s skepticism about progress runs deeper. When asked whether the world is better off today than in 1945, when Animal Farm was first published, he responded bluntly:

"I don't necessarily think we are in a better place. And part of this story is about history repeating itself and why is it that we always make the same mistakes?"

I pressed further, asking if nearly 100 years after World War II and 30 years after the collapse of communism, we might not be in a fundamentally better place. His reply was equally direct:

"If you look around the world at the moment and the way we're living it, it doesn't seem that way."

While Serkis was promoting his film and facing criticism, his perspective resonated with a broader sentiment—one shared by many on the political left who argue that the U.S. remains as sexist, racist, and homophobic as ever, while economic polarization worsens.

Neil Gorsuch and the Enduring Legacy of 1776

In contrast, Justice Gorsuch has taken a more optimistic view of progress by co-authoring a children’s book titled Heroes of 1776. The book chronicles the writing, adoption, and distribution of the Declaration of Independence, emphasizing its foundational role in American democracy.

Gorsuch’s work serves as a reminder that the ideals of 1776—liberty, equality, and self-governance—remain as relevant today as they were over two centuries ago. His perspective challenges the declinist narratives that dominate both sides of the political spectrum, from left-wing critiques of systemic oppression to right-wing nostalgia for an idealized past.

Dispelling the Myth of Decline

Declinism—the belief that society is in irreversible decline—is a pervasive but misguided narrative. In the U.S., median income continues to rise, and concerns about economic inequality and mobility are often overstated. While younger generations face real challenges, economic data does not support the claim that the country is worse off than in previous decades.

History is not a straight line of progress, but it is a record of human ingenuity, resilience, and adaptation. The Declaration of Independence, for all its flaws, laid the groundwork for a system that has, over time, expanded rights and opportunities for millions. Similarly, the struggles of the past—whether against totalitarianism or corporate overreach—offer lessons that can guide us toward a more just and prosperous future.

As Serkis and Gorsuch demonstrate, the past is not a monolith to be either idealized or dismissed. It is a tool for understanding the present and building a better tomorrow.