Imagine a time long ago, during the Ice Age, when an advanced civilization might have thrived, only to vanish in a catastrophic event around twelve thousand years ago. This intriguing idea has captivated many researchers, including myself, as we ponder what it must have been like for the last members of this lost society. They watched helplessly as their achievements, innovations, and dreams for the future crumbled into oblivion.
Looking at our world today, it’s hard not to draw parallels. We are part of an advanced civilization, yet we stand on the brink of potential collapse. Whether this downfall happens soon or in the distant future, due to natural disasters or our own mistakes, the outcome could be the same. Future generations might view us skeptically, much like we regard the legend of Atlantis—just a myth, not a part of true history.
Many ancient myths speak of a global catastrophe and the demise of a sophisticated prehistoric civilization. These stories often suggest that the disaster was not a mere accident but a consequence of human behavior. While some may dismiss this as fantasy, the underlying message is clear: our arrogance, cruelty, and disregard for the world around us can lead to our downfall. The myths warn that when we lose our sense of wonder and respect for the universe, we invite disaster.
Plato’s tale of Atlantis describes how its people, once wise and generous, succumbed to pride, materialism, and violence. To those who truly understood happiness, their decline was evident, but to others, they appeared to be at the peak of success.
Reflecting on our society, it’s worth asking if we fit the description of a civilization on the verge of being lost. Our environmental neglect, resource exploitation, and social divisions do not bode well for our future. Perhaps it’s time to heed the wisdom of the ancients: to replace pride with humility, cruelty with kindness, and to cherish our shared humanity and the gifts of the earth. If not, we might become the next civilization to fade into myth.
Living in modern cities, we often miss the beauty of the stars due to light pollution. From space, industrialized regions like northern Europe glow brightly, while places like the Sahara Desert remain dark. This contrast is often seen as a sign of progress, but it prompts us to question what true advancement means.
In North America, cities shine, but the Amazon jungle remains largely untouched by electricity. In remote areas, tribes live without contact with modern civilization, unaware of our technological wonders. If a disaster like the Younger Dryas event were to occur today, who would survive?
In the event of a cosmic impact, it’s unlikely that those in advanced industrial societies would endure. We rely heavily on technology for food, shelter, and transportation. If these systems failed, our society could collapse quickly. The psychological impact would be severe, and few of us possess survival skills.
Conversely, hunter-gatherers in places like the Namibian deserts and the Amazon rainforest are adept at surviving in harsh conditions. They would likely endure such a catastrophe and continue the human story.
Fast forward twelve thousand years, and there might be myths about our civilization. Future archaeologists might dismiss these tales as fiction, describing a society with god-like powers, capable of communicating across vast distances and traveling to the moon. Yet, this civilization became corrupt and was ultimately destroyed by the universe.
The choice is ours. Let’s ensure we are not the next lost civilization. Thank you for exploring these ideas with us. This channel offers a fascinating way to delve into complex topics. Be sure to check out our other content; you won’t be disappointed.
Conduct research on a lost civilization of your choice, such as the Maya, the Indus Valley, or the Minoans. Prepare a presentation that explores their achievements, the reasons for their decline, and any parallels you can draw with modern society. Share your findings with the class and engage in a discussion about the lessons we can learn from these ancient societies.
Participate in a debate where you will argue either for or against the idea that our current civilization is on the brink of collapse. Use evidence from the article and other scholarly sources to support your position. This activity will help you critically analyze the factors that contribute to the rise and fall of civilizations.
Write a short story or myth set twelve thousand years in the future, imagining how future generations might perceive our current civilization. Consider how they might interpret our technological advancements, societal values, and eventual downfall. Share your story with your peers and discuss the themes and messages conveyed.
Attend a workshop focused on basic survival skills, such as foraging, building shelters, and starting fires without modern tools. Reflect on how these skills could be crucial in the event of a catastrophic event and discuss the importance of self-reliance and adaptability in the face of potential societal collapse.
Conduct an analysis of the environmental impact of modern living in your local area. Investigate issues such as pollution, resource depletion, and biodiversity loss. Present your findings and propose actionable solutions to mitigate these impacts, drawing inspiration from sustainable practices of ancient civilizations.
I’ve spent much of my working life exploring the controversial possibility of a forgotten episode in human pre-history: an advanced civilization of the Ice Age that collapsed during a global cataclysm approximately twelve thousand years ago. I’ve often wondered what it must have felt like to be among the last citizens of that lost civilization, watching as everything they had created—prosperity, inventions, and hope for the future—was reduced to nothing.
Looking around the world today, it occurs to me that we already know what it feels like. For what are we if not citizens of an advanced civilization on the brink of collapse? Whether this collapse comes in a year, a decade, or a century, driven by natural forces or human folly, the end result will be the same. When enough time has passed, our descendants may look back on us with skepticism, much like we view the myth of Atlantis. We could become “just a myth,” “just a story,” and certainly not “true history.”
Several myths concerning a global cataclysm and the loss of an advanced prehistoric civilization have come down to us from the past. These myths are eerily consistent on many points, particularly that the cataclysm was not a random accident; we brought it upon ourselves through our behavior. This may seem nonsensical to those committed to scientific materialism, who see no cause and effect here, merely projection and fantasy. However, the shared message of these myths is that our arrogance and cruelty towards one another, our strife, and the wickedness of our hearts angered the gods. We ceased to nurture spirit, love the earth, and regard the universe with awe and wonder.
Dazzled by our success, we forgot how to carry our prosperity with moderation. Plato tells us that the once generous citizens of Atlantis, who possessed greatness of mind, fell into pride, materialism, greed, and violence. To the perceptive eye, their degeneration was clear, but to those whose judgment of true happiness is defective, they seemed to be at the height of their fame and fortune.
If any society meets the criteria of a lost civilization, is it not our own? Our pollution and neglect of the earth, our abuse of its resources, our fear and hatred of one another, and our indifference to suffering do not bode well for us. Much as we may disbelieve in their gods, perhaps it is time to listen to the broader message of the ancients. Perhaps we need to dampen our pride, replace cruelty with kindness, embrace our shared humanity, and show gratitude for every gift that the earth provides. Otherwise, who knows? Perhaps ours will be the next lost civilization.
If you live in a modern technological city, you almost never see the stars. Light pollution cuts us off from the universe. From a NASA satellite, you can see northern Europe lit up like a golden string of jewels, while the Sahara Desert, inhabited by hunter-gatherers, is completely dark due to a lack of electricity. This is often seen as a symbol of the advancement of industrialized societies, but we must think critically about that.
In North America, cities shine brightly, while the Amazon jungle remains dark with little electricity. In the southwestern Amazon, where geoglyphs have recently been found, there are still tribes uncontacted by our civilization. They have no knowledge of our culture and may wonder about the helicopters circling overhead.
We must ask ourselves: who would survive if a cataclysm similar to the Younger Dryas were to occur today? If cosmic impacts were to strike the 21st-century world, I do not believe it would be the inhabitants of advanced industrialized civilizations who survive. We are accustomed to having everything at our fingertips—food, shelter, and mobility. But if the food supply to our cities were to stop, our civilization would begin to fall apart within weeks.
The psychological trauma would be immense, and very few of us know anything about survival. The hunter-gatherers in the Namibian deserts and the Amazon rainforest, however, are masters of survival. They would weather such an incident with little damage and carry forward the human story.
I like to imagine how this story might be told 12,000 years from now. There might be a myth that archaeologists of that time would dismiss as nonsense, telling of an advanced civilization that was almost god-like, with supernatural powers. They could communicate across vast distances and even travel to the moon. But they became corrupt, cruel, and conceited, failing to manage their prosperity. The universe would not tolerate this, and they would be struck down.
It’s our choice. Let’s ensure we are not the next lost civilization. Thank you for tuning in to this episode. This channel offers an important and engaging way to explore complex ideas. Check out the other offerings here; you won’t be disappointed.
Civilization – A complex society characterized by urban development, social stratification, cultural and technological advancements, and a recognized form of governance. – The rise of the Indus Valley Civilization marked a significant period in ancient history due to its advanced urban planning and architecture.
History – The study of past events, particularly in human affairs, often with an emphasis on understanding the causes and effects of those events. – Understanding the history of the Roman Empire provides insight into the political and social dynamics that shaped modern Western civilization.
Myths – Traditional stories or legends that are rooted in a particular culture, often involving supernatural beings or events, and used to explain natural or social phenomena. – The myths of ancient Greece, such as the tales of Hercules, offer valuable insights into the values and beliefs of Greek society.
Disaster – A sudden event, such as a natural catastrophe or human-induced calamity, that causes significant disruption and damage to a society. – The eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD was a disaster that led to the destruction of the Roman cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum.
Arrogance – An attitude of superiority manifested in an overbearing manner or in presumptuous claims or assumptions. – The arrogance of certain European powers during the Age of Exploration often led to the exploitation and subjugation of indigenous peoples.
Humanity – The quality of being humane; the collective human race, often considered in terms of its capacity for kindness and compassion. – The Renaissance was a period that celebrated humanity, emphasizing human potential and achievements in art, science, and philosophy.
Survival – The act or fact of continuing to live or exist, especially in spite of difficult conditions or challenges. – The survival of ancient texts through the Middle Ages was crucial for the preservation of classical knowledge and philosophy.
Collapse – The sudden failure or breakdown of a structure, system, or institution, often leading to significant change or decline. – The collapse of the Western Roman Empire in the 5th century AD marked the beginning of the Middle Ages in Europe.
Wisdom – The ability to think and act using knowledge, experience, understanding, and insight, often associated with making sound judgments. – The wisdom of Confucius has been influential in shaping ethical and philosophical thought in East Asia for centuries.
Future – The time yet to come, often considered in terms of potential developments or outcomes based on current trends and knowledge. – Philosophers like Immanuel Kant have pondered the future of humanity, considering the moral and ethical implications of progress.
