I knew we were getting stupider

Perhaps you've heard of the Antikythera mechanism. For those of you who have not.... It is a rather interesting artifact that was recovered from the Antikythera wreck, a shipwreck off the Greek island Antikythera, in 1901. Initially the complexity of the machine was not known because it had corroded into a mass.

It wasn't until the device was studied with a modern x-ray that its significance and complexity began to be understood. Scholars attributed the device to the Greeks and dated it to the early 1st century BC.  Interestingly enough, this complexity and workmanship wasn't seen again until the 14th century.

Sophisticated imaging techniques have further unlocked the complexities of the device. The article that spurred me to this writing claims that the device is "1500 years ahead of its time" and that its like "Finding a functional Buick in medieval Europe". The article goes on to say that its compactness actually bests the later designs.

The mechanism was designed to predict the movement of planets, moon phases, and would even account for leap years.

This device clearly shows that our ancient ancestors were capable beyond our dreams. For this writer,  it highlights how much knowledge has been lost to us. It's no wonder we can't figure out how the pyramids were built. (It's easier to say aliens built them) Which brings me to the title of my blog. Are we really getting smarter? Or are we still getting stupider?

Let me know what you think in the comments.

Here are some links to further explore the famed Antikythera device.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antikythera_mechanism

http://io9.com/advanced-imaging-reveals-a-computer-1-500-years-ahead-o-1492104535

-Red
www.jeffjake.com
www.facebook.com/jeffreyrjake
Twitter @MortisG187

Defunct Doomsday

Well depending on your interpretation of the Mayan Calendar, either we have made it or we will have to wait until 12:01 a.m. tonight. For me personally, I'm not sure what the hub bub is all about. I mean really. I don't print off the next years calendar until January 1st. These guys ran theirs out for 5125.36 years. Looks to me like they are just really into planning. Maybe they had a doctors appointment set in 2012 they didn't want to miss.

Personally, I think it's more of an artistic reasoning behind it. I mean why 5125.36? Why not round that baby off? I submit the following picture to you:

Mayan Calendar

Now if they had ended it at 5000 years flat, there would be a big gap. What I think happened is the guy was carving away, fully intent on only going to 5000 years, but he carved to small. So rather than pull out another stone tablet, and after a whole lot of cussing, he decided that he would just finish going around. And there ya have it folks, the 5126.36 year Mayan calendar was born. 

So, there is my rant for the day. Be sure to tune into tomorrow for another ramble from Red.

Oh and I leave you with this last photo:

-Red

Author Note: Just having a little fun with this today. If you really want to learn more about the Mayan calendar, I found some really in depth information about the cycles and its set up.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maya_calendar

Hey, be sure to follow Jeff at:
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Twitter @MortisG187


Jeff's novel Assassin's Retribution is available at Amazon.com, Kobobooks.com, and Smashwords.com