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Was There An Advanced Civilization Before Humans? | Answers With Joe

Joe Scott・23 minutes read

The quote from "Fight Club" highlights the inevitable end of everything over time, including civilizations, jobs, and lives. The text delves into the concept of deep time, questioning how future archaeologists might interpret remnants of our civilization and discusses the potential endurance of certain structures like Mount Rushmore.

Insights

  • Time is depicted as a relentless force leading to the eventual demise of all things, from jobs to civilizations, emphasizing the transient nature of existence.
  • The criteria defining a civilization encompass various elements like urban settlements, division of labor, and technology, shedding light on the complex structures that underpin human societies throughout history.

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Recent questions

  • What is the quote "on a long enough timeline the survival rate for everything drops to zero" from?

    Fight Club

  • What is the concept of deep time?

    Future archaeologists interpreting remnants of our civilization

  • What marked a significant shift in human societies around 8,500 BCE?

    Development of agriculture

  • What are some criteria defining a civilization?

    Urban settlements, division of labor, class structures, governments, surplus food, artwork, trade, writing, technology

  • What challenges do paleontologists face in their research?

    Incomplete fossil record

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Summary

00:00

"Time's Devouring Impact on Civilizations"

  • The quote "on a long enough timeline the survival rate for everything drops to zero" is from the book "Fight Club" by Chuck Palahniuk and was also in the movie.
  • Time is described as the Great Devourer, leading to the end of everything, including jobs, lives, and civilizations.
  • Archaeology studies past human civilizations, some forgotten to time, with changing understandings like the evolution of dinosaur perceptions.
  • The concept of deep time is introduced, questioning how future archaeologists might interpret remnants of our civilization.
  • Mount Rushmore is noted as potentially enduring due to its solid granite construction, contrasting with the likely disappearance of most other traces of our civilization.
  • Historical civilizations like Rome, Greece, and ancient Egypt are highlighted for their longevity and eventual decline.
  • Criteria defining a civilization include urban settlements, division of labor, class structures, governments, surplus food, artwork, trade, writing, and technology.
  • The development of agriculture around 8,500 BCE marked a significant shift from hunter-gatherer societies to settled civilizations.
  • Theories and debates surround ancient advanced civilizations like Atlantis, with flood myths being prevalent across various cultures.
  • The Mediterranean Sea's formation due to a massive flood event and the potential flooding of the Black Sea are discussed as possible influences on ancient civilizations.

12:54

Ancient hominids and potential civilizations explored

  • Oldest Stone tools found 3.3 million years ago during the time of Australopithecus afferensis, including the Lucy skeleton.
  • Multiple hominid species existed between then and now, with Homo erectus being one of the most successful, lasting 1.89 million years.
  • Homo erectus exhibited similarities to humans, such as cooking food, caring for the elderly, building shelters, using tools, and potentially having a language.
  • Speculation on whether Homo erectus could have developed a civilization similar to city-states with cultures, laws, and organization.
  • Paleontologists face challenges due to the incomplete fossil record, with only specific conditions allowing for fossilization.
  • The Silurian Hypothesis explores the possibility of detecting an industrial civilization in the geological record through fossil fuel residue.
  • The Seuss effect, related to carbon isotopes, can indicate the presence of fossil fuel consumption by a civilization on Earth.
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