Do we need an archeologist in the Gulch?

Posted by $ blarman 8 years ago to News
31 comments | Share | Flag

If so, I'd nominate this teenager who clearly exhibits the signs of intelligence and ingenuity!

All Comments

  • Posted by $ Olduglycarl 8 years ago
    Turns out now that it was just a corn field from what I've heard today...it's a shame...gota give him a A for effort.
    Reply | Permalink  
  • Posted by $ MikeMarotta 8 years ago
    We got sidetracked by the Mayans, but see my brief comment to RobertF below. (ttps://http://www.galtsgulchonline.com/posts... The fact is that remote sensing is important to geographic information systems and they both are employed by businesses for many purposes.

    Just locating a business is a first challenge. And it helps to know what the use was before you showed up.

    People here talk about "going Galt" and founding their own "Gulch." Texas has several hundred ghost towns. Satellite imaging can reveal much.
    Reply | Permalink  
  • Posted by RobertFl 8 years ago in reply to this comment.
    Remote sensing is different. I was replying to, Do we need an archeologist in the Gulch?
    Remote sensing doesn't require an archeologist. Those are two different disciplines.
    Reply | Permalink  
  • Posted by $ MikeMarotta 8 years ago in reply to this comment.
    Remote sensing and modern archaeology are important tools for business. Landsat, Earthsat, and similar private services sell imaging to people who want to place businesses where they can be most profitable. You also do not want to locate on the former site of a chrome plating shop.
    Reply | Permalink  
  • Posted by Flootus5 8 years ago in reply to this comment.
    It kinda fits with DrZarkov's "Vikings of the Pacific" theme as well. That whole Polynesian Pacific settlement thing is fascinating. Captain Cook's diaries have some observations on it with the guy he started to bring back from Fiji. The guy didn't make it.
    Reply | Permalink  
  • Posted by $ allosaur 8 years ago in reply to this comment.
    As a kid I read about that in both my dad's Life magazine and National Geographic.
    There was something about that on TV too.
    Reply | Permalink  
  • Posted by Lysander 8 years ago
    Outstanding, this was my early interest until I turned to economics. That's a great kid, not yet garrotted by a public school.
    Reply | Permalink  
  • Posted by $ blarman 8 years ago in reply to this comment.
    Horses really aren't that much of a value in the highlands and dense forests. Llamas, alpacas their types were a much more practical alternative, since they can carry a significant load, are very sure-footed in mountainous terrain, and really don't need to be able to run. Plus, their coats are great for generating wool ;)
    Reply | Permalink  
  • Posted by $ blarman 8 years ago in reply to this comment.
    Given the direction of the prevailing winds, it's very easy to see them having to work back towards the east in some latitudes. It's also the DNA evidence that some point to... In any case pretty fascinating.
    Reply | Permalink  
  • Posted by DrZarkov99 8 years ago in reply to this comment.
    One of my favorite books growing up was "Vikings of the Pacific," that documented the Polynesian colonization of the islands. It's unlikely that Amerindians were the Pacific island colonizers, given the West-to-East pattern of arrival of Polynesian culture.
    Reply | Permalink  
  • Posted by DrZarkov99 8 years ago in reply to this comment.
    Agreed, the Yul Brynner movie was in error, but the Aztecs were pretty badass. It was the alliance between tribes they brutalized and the conquistadors that resulted in the destruction of Aztec civilization.

    For a long time, historians were mystified as to how less than 200 Spanish under Cortez could have beaten a 40,000 man Aztec army. It wasn't until investigation into the writings of the Catholic priests that recorded the Cortez venture revealed the alliance between the subject tribes and Cortez had created a rebel force almost as large as the Aztec army that things began to make sense.
    Reply | Permalink  
  • Posted by Herb7734 8 years ago
    Just when one begins to think that the human race is hopeless, a kid like this comes along. What an amazing future he could have.....if we let him.
    Reply | Permalink  
  • Posted by $ blarman 8 years ago in reply to this comment.
    "I have a copy of the Popol Vuh, which describes the Mayan "Genesis"."

    Is this a publication I might be able to reference? Hopefully in English... ;)
    Reply | Permalink  
  • Posted by $ Thoritsu 8 years ago
    Excellent work.

    The Mayans had a rich culture and literature. "Wisely" the Spanish destroyed every written document they could find to convert the Mayans.

    Fortunately the documents this young man used survived.

    I have a copy of the Popol Vuh, which describes the Mayan "Genesis". It is pretty weird and sketchy stuff, but interesting, and predates the New Testament.
    Reply | Permalink  
  • Posted by $ allosaur 8 years ago in reply to this comment.
    I find the successful exploration and settlement of the Pacific islands by stone age people in little bitty boats to be extremely fascinating.
    What Old Dino was taught as a kid in school and a silly movie with Yul Brynner in it made Mayans out to be the good guys especially in comparison to the Aztecs.
    Ha! Ongoing archeological discoveries big time disproved that.
    (Decided to go fetch the forgotten name of the silly movie and edit it in).
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kings_o...
    Reply | Permalink  
  • Posted by $ blarman 8 years ago in reply to this comment.
    There are several civilizations there and different stages in those civilizations. There were the Aztecs, Olmecs, Mayans, Incas, and several other offshoots. I find their history fascinating, as they had the most accurate calendars known to man for more than two millenia. They were also avid astronomers and travellers. There are many who hypothesize that the Pacific islanders originated from that region.
    Reply | Permalink  
  • Posted by RobertFl 8 years ago
    Only if he can make a living off his efforts. If not, then no, it's not a business, it's a hobby.
    If he happens to dig swimming pools with a spoon and brush, and people are willing to pay him for that, then more power to him.
    Reply | Permalink  
  • Posted by $ allosaur 8 years ago in reply to this comment.
    The Mel Gibson made movie, Apocalypto, portrayed the Mayan civilization as being in the rotting process of decadence and failure.
    The sight of sacrifice victim heads bouncing one by one down temple steps to be caught by some kinda hand net cheered on as a game was especially chilling.
    The first time Old Dino saw the flick, I was all like "Go, Jaguar Paw! Get away from those messed up maniacal Mayan meanies!"
    Reply | Permalink  
  • Comment hidden due to member score or comment score too low. View Comment
  • Posted by $ MichaelAarethun 8 years ago
    No legitimate thinker at any level or age can not be needed. Those who do not subscribe to the three laws of objectivism, refuse, facts, thinking, reason and are little more than propaganda tools then think they have found a safe spot are either sadly mistaken, like making fools of themselves or it should be announced this is not a safe spot for subjectivists and worse. As for those who do think, reason, and apply the principles of objectivists I welcome the back and forth and especially in the sense of applied philosophy. If you take that as insult big deal.

    By turning away anyone who has something to offer and shutting out the outside world one necessarily is denying the opportunity to apply objectivist principles and deny their validity as a useful tool. In short they look for safe spots when their preconceived notions are challenged. with such mundane impedimenta as facts, thinking, or reasoning.

    I know I have had several of my former taken for granted beliefs blasted point blank, survived and am the better for it.

    By the way it wasn't a recession it was a bankruptcy.

    Ninner Ninner ninner
    Reply | Permalink  
  • Posted by $ MikeMarotta 8 years ago
    Brilliant. And logical. It is not so much that we need "an archaeologist." As you must recall, the people in the Valley worked at different jobs than their nominal careers. It is a fallacy that you are trained to do one thing your whole life. That is nice for the Zen Master of the Flower Vase. The industrial revolution taught a different ethos. While it has ancient roots, starting with the Age of Reason it became common that people born into one station chose another.

    The kid is brilliant. That is all that needs to be said on that score.

    As for the Mayans… well… it is another discussion entirely…
    Reply | Permalink  

  • Comment hidden. Undo