Episode 27
Continuing the discussion of Ancient Astronaut Theory, this time we explore another approach to understanding history, known as Big History. This educational approach to the exploration of history is much more than a timeline of human history, or even of Earth history. Big History goes all the way back to the Big Bang as a starting point, and presents a timeline, in a narrative form, leading all the way to the modern era. It doesn’t stop there, using this big picture approach to draw a conclusion that we, as a species, have a tremendous responsibility and influence in ensuring that history continues into the future.
Led by historian, Dave Christian, a growing group of scholars and educators are encouraging a shift in how we think about history. Emphasizing that modern human history did not emerge out of nowhere, but rather at a particular time and place, in specific historical context. Through compelling argument, they present a big picture view and a unifying concept of the human condition.
As we explore the theoryology behind our fascination with Ancient Astronaut Theory, we come to understand that both it and Big History are focused not in just presenting “facts” as they are understood with each approach. More importantly, they are endeavoring to provide an origin story. Origin stories have been constructed since the beginnings of human civilization, through mythologies, religious beliefs, early explorations into experimental and observational studies, and currently into the modern realm of scientific exploration and experimentation.
We understand the past to be our origins, and we understand ourselves through these ancient origin stories. They were central to education in the ancient world, giving shape and meaning to knowledge. This broad approach to understanding and learning, though, had been lost in the modern world, and instead replaced with fragmented, compartmentalized studies that are discipline specific. The narrative has been lost, with the focus so much of the “what” and the “when” of history, that we don’t even ask “why?”.
Big History is out to change that, taking standard accepted science and history, across multiple disciplines, to make history “big” again. It appeals to our desire for origin stories. This is the same appeal found in the Ancient Astronaut hypothesis.
Joined again by guest co-host Mike Nelson, we tackle Big History and draw conclusions about Ancient Astronaut Theory that hopefully provides a bit more understanding of its pervasive influence to the public.
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Music is by adamhenrygarcia.bandcamp.com
Links:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_History
https://blog.bighistoryproject.com/2017/08/22/the-power-of-origin-stories-in-big-history/
https://theconversation.com/big-history-why-we-need-to-teach-the-modern-origin-story-10405
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/theory-knowledge/201611/three-cheers-big-history?amp
http://www.bighistory.info/bhi_005_004.htm
https://www.bighistoryproject.com/home