Is the growing mindset, especially among the young, that knowing history is irrelevant, actually a sinister product of mind control manipulation?

This is very much the case. It is part of routine subliminal messages beamed at people all day long via their media. All sources of information exchange—radio, television, Internet, and cell phone sources of information are contaminated with an overlay of subliminal programming done at frequencies that impinge on the body and the mind on a deep level, but will not be perceived consciously. This is a common disinformation message—to be complacent, to get reassurance all is well, nothing needs to be agonized over and to do so is a waste of time and effort, and demeans the person. So to fit in and be accepted is rewarded through honoring conduct that is nonquestioning, noncritical, and any application of true discernment is discouraged.