Unexplainable Lost Worlds: Aliens from Earth?
Jun 8, 2022
Gavin Schmidt, a renowned climate scientist at NASA, discusses fascinating theories surrounding advanced civilizations that may have existed on Earth before humans. He highlights the Silurian Hypothesis, which raises questions about our legacy and the potential markers of past technologies. The conversation dives into how isotopes could reveal remnants of human activities and the challenges in identifying these ancient societies. Schmidt invites listeners to ponder the impact of our existence within the vast timeline of Earth’s history.
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The Silurian Hypothesis
- Adam Frank proposed that rapid climate change on a distant planet could indicate an advanced civilization.
- Gavin Schmidt surprised Adam by questioning how we know humans are Earth's first technological species.
Deep Time and Civilizations
- The vast timescale of Earth's history dwarfs human existence, creating potential for pre-human civilizations.
- Modern humans represent a tiny fraction of the 400 million years of animal life on land.
Ephemeral Monuments
- Even the most substantial human monuments won't last millions of years due to natural processes.
- Erosion, ice ages, and other forces erase surface features, making it difficult to find traces of past civilizations.