In Joe Rogan’s show The Joe Rogan Experience #961, Graham Hancock, Randall Carlson, and Michael Shermer delve into the fascinating discussion of ancient civilizations and world-changing events. This writing is meant to explore a multi-aspectual conversation described in the broadcast. The essay will analyze the central argument underneath the claim that ancient advanced civilizations existed and the occurrence of catastrophic events that shaped human history since ancient times. Moreover, ask for Shermer’s opinion about pseudo-history and consider Joe Rogan a disengaged decorum. Firstly, the essay will investigate conflicting views on history and critically evaluate the evidence presented. The essay expresses personal views about the topic, the complexity of accessing the past, and the role of applying rigorous readability and open-mindedness inquiry to the debate.
Main Claim by Hancock and Carlson
Graham Hancock and Randall Carlson are set to discredit accepted history by claiming that the course of history is more complicated and ancient than currently believed by traditional concepts. It holds the idea of a developed culture whose life had ceased much before the appearance of the first cities, and the scientifically accurate account of history was being recorded, possibly up to 100,000 years ago (PowerfulJRE). In the eyes of their opponents is the premise that these civilizations ceased to exist due to massive natural disasters that might include relict comet impacts or massive floods. This claim upsets the conventional school of thought about human development. It allows a second look at those artifacts and archeological and geological evidence to restore the lost chapters of our past.
Evidence Supporting the Claim
They back up their position with five strong indices dealt out during the podcast: five solid facts. Firstly, it deals with the discovery of Göbekli Tepe, an old archaeological site in Turkey that has been around for more than 12 thousand years. Thus, it dismantles the prevailing notions of history (PowerfulJRE). Next, they deliberated on the many examples of ancient monuments built by astronomical principles, proving the inhabitants’ high level of astronomy knowledge. Additionally, we can refer to geological evidence that supports the catastrophic flood events during those times, and this fact is further confirmed by new scientific findings today. Also, they often include tales and stories related to age-old ancient myths and legends from different cultural realms around the globe, which sometimes harbor boulders of truth. Moreover, visitors are instructed to do this only when needed through a demonstration of how historians may get some crucial evidence about an ancient drowned society through a visit to this site.
Michael Shermer’s Skeptical Viewpoint
According to Michael Shermer, we must be cautious when assessing Hancock and Carlson’s claim, as historical events deserve to be covered historically. His is reasonable because he sets accents on empirical facts and scientific agreement in historiography. While Shermer is open-minded to letting in views that challenge the “status quo,” his feeling against entertaining theories that challenge the science may lead to the exclusion of unique ideas (PowerfulJRE). Although his motivation for searching for absolute activeness is valuable, an appropriate combination of skepticism and propensity to different suppositions may be more fruitful for a thorough knowledge of historical incidents. Thus, although Shermer’s view is based on science, it possibly has an unconscious bias toward the positions which are. Therefore, it may be helpful to consider the wide range of alternatives.
Reasons for Shermer’s Skepticism
Shermer probably rejects the evidence already presented by Hancock and Carlson because he adheres to the empirical evidence and scientific consensus. Shermer’s most notable characteristic is that he emphasizes methodological fidelity and expects each remarkable claim to have realistic quantitative evidence (PowerfulJRE). While the case presented by Hancock and Carlson does not conform to Shermer’s criteria for scientific credibility – whether due to its speculative nature, lack of scientific backing, or because its failure to be consonant with a paradigm in archaeological and geological studies this fact does not make its hypothesis any less plausible. Shermer’s disbelief helps stand for a guard closer to unbiased assimilation of alternative theories rather than an assumption of theories without comprehensively analyzing them.
Joe Rogan’s Neutrality as the Host
As the podcast host, Joe Rogan is constantly trying to be a source of unbiased and neutral opinion, allowing everyone usually advancing their points to speak without much favor. In most instances, Rogan provides a platform where an open, tolerant, and free environment is the norm. However, at the cross, he will likely bleed some personal views into the conversation (PowerfulJRE). Nonetheless, the task of a mother blogger inclined to share different views is essential to the discussion’s variety.
Personal Reflections
Although the discussion and the statements from the debaters have helped a lot and created grounds for my reflections, I, however, have a viewpoint that captures both the strengths of the alternative hypotheses by Hancock and Carlson and the call for a cautious, skeptical attitude of Hancock as set by Shermer. Hancock and Carlson manage to ask exciting questions and support their views with some evidence. However, Shermer uses empiricism as a cognitive tool, and his doubtful attitude to everything plays a counterpoint, setting hypotheses on the test of rigorous review before their acceptance.
Conclusion
To sum up, the Joe Rogan Experience #961 was an enlightening trip into early civilization that made me re-evaluate my positions on the ancient narratives that deviate from the norm. Hancock, Carlson, and Shermer respectively deliver arguments that listeners are critically evaluated against and resorted to. In this way, listeners deeply think and analyze history’s complexities.
Work Cited
PowerfulJRE. “Joe Rogan Experience #961 – Graham Hancock, Randall Carlson & Michael Shermer.” YouTube, 16 May 2017, www.youtube.com/watch?v=tFlAFo78xoQ.
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