EP25 The Long View
Dan Carlin's Hardcore History: Addendum
Deep Dive
What does the long view of human history reveal about our species?
The long view of human history reveals that anatomically modern humans have been around for 250,000 to 350,000 years, with the vast majority of that time being prehistory. Only the last 5,000 to 6,000 years are recorded in history books, meaning most of human existence occurred before writing, cities, and complex societies. This perspective highlights that war, conflict, and environmental impact have been constants throughout human history, suggesting that many of our current challenges are deeply rooted in our species' behavior.
Why is the concept of ethnicity considered temporary in the long view of history?
Ethnicity is considered temporary in the long view because human populations have been moving and intermixing for hundreds of thousands of years. DNA evidence shows that all humans originated in Africa, and over time, migrations and interbreeding have created the diverse ethnicities we see today. These ethnic identities are constantly evolving, and what we consider fixed ethnic traits today are likely to change significantly over the next 10,000 to 20,000 years.
What does the story of Cheddar Man reveal about human migration and ethnicity?
Cheddar Man, a prehistoric figure from Britain, had dark skin and hair, which contrasts with the lighter skin and hair often associated with modern British people. This shows that the ethnic makeup of a region can change dramatically over time due to migration and intermixing. It underscores the idea that no population remains genetically or ethnically static over long periods, and that current ethnic identities are just a snapshot in the long history of human movement and mixing.
How does the long view challenge the idea of indigenous peoples?
The long view challenges the idea of indigenous peoples by showing that almost no one inhabits the land their ancestors originally settled. Human migration over hundreds of thousands of years means that nearly all populations have moved and mixed with others. The concept of being 'indigenous' becomes complicated when considering that most people are newcomers to the land they currently inhabit, and their ancestors likely displaced or mixed with earlier populations.
What does the long view suggest about humanity's impact on the environment?
The long view suggests that humans have always been hard on the environment, but the nature of that impact has changed. In earlier times, environmental damage was often temporary because humans were nomadic and used biodegradable materials. Today, our environmental impact is more severe due to the use of non-biodegradable materials like plastics and the scale of industrialization. This means that while environmental destruction is not new, its permanence and global scale are unprecedented.
How does the long view of history relate to the concept of artificial intelligence?
The long view of history suggests that human behavior has been consistent over time, particularly in terms of conflict, environmental impact, and short-term thinking. Artificial intelligence could act as a 'wild card' to disrupt these patterns by introducing long-term, seventh-generation thinking into decision-making. However, this raises ethical questions about whether it is wise to create something smarter than ourselves, as it could either save humanity from its destructive tendencies or lead to unforeseen consequences.
What does the long view reveal about the concept of land ownership?
The long view reveals that land ownership is a relatively recent concept in human history and is often tied to colonialism and displacement. Over hundreds of thousands of years, humans have moved and settled new lands, often displacing or mixing with earlier populations. This means that claims to ancestral land are often based on a narrow slice of history, and the idea of permanent ownership is challenged by the constant movement and intermixing of human populations.
- A galactic history book would likely need to condense human history into a few key points.
- A long lens is needed to understand humanity's recurring issues.
- The host is searching for recurring themes in human history.
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