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#446 – Ed Barnhart: Maya, Aztec, Inca, and Lost Civilizations of South America

Lex Fridman Podcast

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Misunderstandings Can Lead to Catastrophe

A misinterpretation during a social gathering escalated into a violent retaliation, demonstrating how fear and misunderstanding can trigger catastrophic events. Pedro de Alvarado, left in charge, reacted violently to a horrifying revelation about the meal being served, leading him to massacre unarmed guests, which in turn incited the Aztecs to rise against their captors, ultimately resulting in chaos and bloodshed. This incident underscores the potential consequences of rash decisions fueled by panic and cultural misunderstandings.

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