Never let an opportunity to freak out go to waste… I guess. You wouldn’t believe all the controversy surrounding a little show that explores human history. Just google “Ancient Apocalypse” and see for yourself. You’ll come in to this one: “Ancient Apocalypse is the most dangerous show on Netflix” from the Guardian, among others.
“A show with a truly preposterous theory is one of the streaming giants biggest hits and it seems to exist solely for conspiracy theorists. Why has this been allowed?”, it begins before spiraling into a hyper-neurotic, self-aggrandizing and self-induced hysteria.
About the show: For those who have not seen it, take solace. Ancient Apocalypse is not dangerous. You and your family will not be harmed. The world is going to keep on spinning. “Ancient Apocalypse obviously has an audience, but who on Earth is it?” the article asks. Here’s who; those that recognize there is a past and a future, indeed a vast and incomprehensible Universe, which shall we say, puts a finer point on our current existence. The show, in turn, feeds a grand curiosity by presenting 1 of many perspectives on the human condition and dramatizes it. Nothing more. Nothing less. Archeological evidence of human activity separated by vast distances in space and time share nearly identical architectural, agricultural and astronomical cornerstones to their respective societies. It’s interesting to consider if a group of intellectuals who thought differently about humanity’s place in the grand scheme of things had a framework of distributing their knowledge in a much more clever way than we’ve been able to comprehend. Just look to where my finger is pointing dude, no need to bite it off.
Not only does the Guardian condemn the theory set forth as cockamamie, but frames it’s host, Graham Hancock, as a fringe lunatic railing against mainstream Archaeology with big media connections (Hancock’s son is a Netflix exec) and who associates with the likes of Jordan Peterson. Actually, that last part was amended because it was Joe Rogan who entertained his theory…but what’s their point either way?
There’s also no shortage of disdain for the show’s viewers. In line with its underlying tenet, the Guardian portrays them as people who shout at you on Twitter / Hancock’s bread and butter / “free thinkers” (the author’s quotes not mine, presumably because he thinks they are not) / akin to Flat Earthers. Jeez… a bit judgmental are we? I’ve never met a “flat earther” I didn’t like. Wait … I’ve never actually met one at all. Oh, and don’t forget those dreaded conspiracy theorists. “But where does it end?” the author frets. “Believing that election fraud is real? Believing 9/11 was an inside job? Worse?” My God, quick, someone give this guy a hug! Didn’t he ever hear of the Kennedy assassination… or watch The X-Files? Mulder was the cat’s pajamas, man! From what I can tell, viewers are very well aware AA is a bit pseudo. They are taking it with a grain of salt. They are not forming angry pitchfork wielding mobs in the streets and searching out the homes of mainstream archeologists. Some daily’s (not just the Guardian) are unhinged… at least those Google serves up in the SERP. The world is upside down and this is what they are concerned with? Is this the “high impact global reporting” the Guardian purports to be about?
It’s hard to believe that any of their true intentions are to warn the world about the dangers posed by a G rated television show. Again – is the show a little light on the details? Yes. Is it leaving some dots unconnected? Yes. Dangerous? Please. Which brings us to why all the blow back in the first place….. their audience; windbags that thrive on being outraged and manufacturing tension where there is none (the accusations go well beyond warring archeologists). Maybe this stuff is written just for them. You want to talk about hidden meaning? Conspiracy Theories? People who shout at you on Twitter? Being judgmental? Let’s call them “Triple A’s” or “Anti-Ancient Apocalypser’s”; people who need to A) stop + B) chill.
All that is written for them will become Artifacts of a society that preferred madness over exposition. Of a misguided people seeking out information merely to support a world view. Of text as a vehicle for galvanizing zealots who could care less about truth distributed on a connective technology used more to reinforce and amplify division than to quell it. Artifacts in other words, that are the exact antithesis of what they claimed to be and wholly unlike those explored in Ancient Apocalypse. Those artifacts tell the story of societies that worshiped outward; the Universe, deities, the natural and the supernatural. Thanks to “Ancient Apocalypse is the most dangerous show on Netflix” and other Apocalyptic Journalism, they will tell the story of a society who worshiped inward, filled with people bent on criticizing others, only to have it ultimately reflect poorly on themselves.
(sigh) Perhaps we could use a reset.
