so if I can get just a quick show of hands how many people learned in school
hands how many people learned in school
hands how many people learned in school that in 1492 Columbus sailed the ocean
that in 1492 Columbus sailed the ocean
that in 1492 Columbus sailed the ocean blue and proved to everyone that the
blue and proved to everyone that the
blue and proved to everyone that the world is actually round anyway right
world is actually round anyway right
world is actually round anyway right this is one of the first memorable
this is one of the first memorable
this is one of the first memorable nuggets of information that we learned
nuggets of information that we learned
nuggets of information that we learned about the Middle Ages but the trouble is
about the Middle Ages but the trouble is
about the Middle Ages but the trouble is it’s not true people already knew that
it’s not true people already knew that
it’s not true people already knew that the earth was a sphere and there’s
the earth was a sphere and there’s
the earth was a sphere and there’s plenty of evidence to show it for
plenty of evidence to show it for
plenty of evidence to show it for starters here’s a picture of England’s
starters here’s a picture of England’s
starters here’s a picture of England’s Richard ii in Westminster Abbey about
Richard ii in Westminster Abbey about
Richard ii in Westminster Abbey about hundred years before Columbus sailed and
hundred years before Columbus sailed and
hundred years before Columbus sailed and in his hand he’s got a globe to show his
in his hand he’s got a globe to show his
in his hand he’s got a globe to show his power on earth here’s a picture that’s
power on earth here’s a picture that’s
power on earth here’s a picture that’s now in Belgium’s royal library from
now in Belgium’s royal library from
now in Belgium’s royal library from about 30 years before Columbus sailed
about 30 years before Columbus sailed
about 30 years before Columbus sailed and in it you can see the earth the sky
and in it you can see the earth the sky
and in it you can see the earth the sky a fiery atmosphere and the star is
a fiery atmosphere and the star is
a fiery atmosphere and the star is beyond in fact well over a thousand
beyond in fact well over a thousand
beyond in fact well over a thousand years before Columbus ever got on a boat
years before Columbus ever got on a boat
years before Columbus ever got on a boat the ancient Greeks had calculated the
the ancient Greeks had calculated the
the ancient Greeks had calculated the circumference of the earth using
circumference of the earth using
circumference of the earth using geometry and modern measurements show
geometry and modern measurements show
geometry and modern measurements show they were only about 70 meters off a
they were only about 70 meters off a
they were only about 70 meters off a distance so small that our Olympians can
distance so small that our Olympians can
distance so small that our Olympians can run it in about seven seconds so I can
run it in about seven seconds so I can
run it in about seven seconds so I can show you plenty more evidence and point
show you plenty more evidence and point
show you plenty more evidence and point to the many times that historians have
to the many times that historians have
to the many times that historians have disproved the Flat Earth thing but what
disproved the Flat Earth thing but what
disproved the Flat Earth thing but what I really want to talk to you today about
I really want to talk to you today about
I really want to talk to you today about is why we continue to tell and retell
is why we continue to tell and retell
is why we continue to tell and retell this myth and why we need to change our
this myth and why we need to change our
this myth and why we need to change our thinking when we learn about history the
thinking when we learn about history the
thinking when we learn about history the emphasis is often placed on those things
emphasis is often placed on those things
emphasis is often placed on those things that we find hilarious or shocking and
that we find hilarious or shocking and
that we find hilarious or shocking and pretty much everything that we take in
pretty much everything that we take in
pretty much everything that we take in afterwards confirms that negative
afterwards confirms that negative
afterwards confirms that negative impression we watched movies and TV
impression we watched movies and TV
impression we watched movies and TV shows that emphasize brutality and bad
shows that emphasize brutality and bad
shows that emphasize brutality and bad decisions and we tell ourselves stories
decisions and we tell ourselves stories
decisions and we tell ourselves stories about how people were primitive and
about how people were primitive and
about how people were primitive and superstitious
superstitious
superstitious how they never bothered to get clean how
how they never bothered to get clean how
how they never bothered to get clean how they were unscientific and unreasonable
they were unscientific and unreasonable
they were unscientific and unreasonable and we pass along this information
and we pass along this information
and we pass along this information without actually wondering if we’re
without actually wondering if we’re
without actually wondering if we’re looking at the whole picture we carry
looking at the whole picture we carry
looking at the whole picture we carry around this notion that because we’re
around this notion that because we’re
around this notion that because we’re the latest models of humankind and
the latest models of humankind and
the latest models of humankind and because we have a lot of access to
because we have a lot of access to
because we have a lot of access to information that means that we are
information that means that we are
information that means that we are smarter than the people who live before
smarter than the people who live before
smarter than the people who live before us
us
us we’d like to think of history as a story
we’d like to think of history as a story
we’d like to think of history as a story of continuous forward progress from left
of continuous forward progress from left
of continuous forward progress from left to right
to right
to right at the pinnacle us and in a way this is
at the pinnacle us and in a way this is
at the pinnacle us and in a way this is perfectly natural especially if we
perfectly natural especially if we
perfectly natural especially if we accept Darwin’s theory of evolution but
accept Darwin’s theory of evolution but
accept Darwin’s theory of evolution but if we look back to a common Western idea
if we look back to a common Western idea
if we look back to a common Western idea of civilization so say three thousand
of civilization so say three thousand
of civilization so say three thousand years that’s only about a hundred and
years that’s only about a hundred and
years that’s only about a hundred and twenty generations not enough to have
twenty generations not enough to have
twenty generations not enough to have made any real significant evolutionary
made any real significant evolutionary
made any real significant evolutionary progress I mean men still have nipples
progress I mean men still have nipples
progress I mean men still have nipples right so we’re not x-men yet and it’s
right so we’re not x-men yet and it’s
right so we’re not x-men yet and it’s gonna be a while before him get there
gonna be a while before him get there
gonna be a while before him get there and what this means in practical terms
and what this means in practical terms
and what this means in practical terms is that our brains are just about
is that our brains are just about
is that our brains are just about indistinguishable from the brains that
indistinguishable from the brains that
indistinguishable from the brains that built the pyramids and the brains that
built the pyramids and the brains that
built the pyramids and the brains that wrote Magna Carta and the brains that
wrote Magna Carta and the brains that
wrote Magna Carta and the brains that lived and loved on Turtle Island long
lived and loved on Turtle Island long
lived and loved on Turtle Island long before Columbus now they may not have
before Columbus now they may not have
before Columbus now they may not have had the same technology that we do but
had the same technology that we do but
had the same technology that we do but they had our innate intelligence and so
they had our innate intelligence and so
they had our innate intelligence and so you bring someone forward from the past
you bring someone forward from the past
you bring someone forward from the past I bet that once they got over the
I bet that once they got over the
I bet that once they got over the culture shock they’d be just as good at
culture shock they’d be just as good at
culture shock they’d be just as good at using a smartphone as we are now besides
using a smartphone as we are now besides
using a smartphone as we are now besides me telling you that you need to cut your
me telling you that you need to cut your
me telling you that you need to cut your great-great granny some slack question
great-great granny some slack question
great-great granny some slack question as always is so what why does it matter
as always is so what why does it matter
as always is so what why does it matter if we underestimate the smarts of our
if we underestimate the smarts of our
if we underestimate the smarts of our ancestors it has a historian I can tell
ancestors it has a historian I can tell
ancestors it has a historian I can tell you that everybody thinks that their
you that everybody thinks that their
you that everybody thinks that their moment is crucial or pivotal and I could
moment is crucial or pivotal and I could
moment is crucial or pivotal and I could also tell you that everybody’s right
also tell you that everybody’s right
also tell you that everybody’s right there’s never a real insignificant
there’s never a real insignificant
there’s never a real insignificant moment but this moment right now we are
moment but this moment right now we are
moment but this moment right now we are facing some huge challenges climate
facing some huge challenges climate
facing some huge challenges climate change artificial intelligence
change artificial intelligence
change artificial intelligence overcrowding space exploration and if we
overcrowding space exploration and if we
overcrowding space exploration and if we choose to dismiss all of history before
choose to dismiss all of history before
choose to dismiss all of history before living memory then we miss out on the
living memory then we miss out on the
living memory then we miss out on the chance to learn from people who have
chance to learn from people who have
chance to learn from people who have experienced similar things before for
experienced similar things before for
experienced similar things before for example one of the easiest periods for
example one of the easiest periods for
example one of the easiest periods for us to dismiss is a so-called Dark Ages
us to dismiss is a so-called Dark Ages
us to dismiss is a so-called Dark Ages which happened between what people call
which happened between what people call
which happened between what people call the fall of the Roman Empire and around
the fall of the Roman Empire and around
the fall of the Roman Empire and around the Norman conquest of England
the Norman conquest of England
the Norman conquest of England so really roughly about 500 to 1100 AD
so really roughly about 500 to 1100 AD
so really roughly about 500 to 1100 AD and I think that when we picture this
and I think that when we picture this
and I think that when we picture this time in our minds we picture a little
time in our minds we picture a little
time in our minds we picture a little mud and people carrying torches and
mud and people carrying torches and
mud and people carrying torches and drawn swords because that’s what we see
drawn swords because that’s what we see
drawn swords because that’s what we see in our storytelling but the truth is
in our storytelling but the truth is
in our storytelling but the truth is that people are writing books and
that people are writing books and
that people are writing books and they’re creating music in art at this
they’re creating music in art at this
they’re creating music in art at this time just does that any other time and
time just does that any other time and
time just does that any other time and one of the things they
one of the things they
one of the things they creating we’re books of home remedies
creating we’re books of home remedies
creating we’re books of home remedies for common illnesses this is balls leech
for common illnesses this is balls leech
for common illnesses this is balls leech book it’s one of the many treasures in
book it’s one of the many treasures in
book it’s one of the many treasures in the British Library and it contains all
the British Library and it contains all
the British Library and it contains all sorts of really interesting information
sorts of really interesting information
sorts of really interesting information like advice on how to cure madness by
like advice on how to cure madness by
like advice on how to cure madness by whipping someone with a pork biscuit
whipping someone with a pork biscuit
whipping someone with a pork biscuit what we’re looking at right now is a
what we’re looking at right now is a
what we’re looking at right now is a cure for infected eyes and it’s a
cure for infected eyes and it’s a
cure for infected eyes and it’s a mixture of garlic and wine and cow bile
mixture of garlic and wine and cow bile
mixture of garlic and wine and cow bile you put it all together and you let it
you put it all together and you let it
you put it all together and you let it steep for nine days and then you apply
steep for nine days and then you apply
steep for nine days and then you apply it to your eye by the feather now
it to your eye by the feather now
it to your eye by the feather now there’s a lot about this that seems
there’s a lot about this that seems
there’s a lot about this that seems pretty far-fetched and we might dismiss
pretty far-fetched and we might dismiss
pretty far-fetched and we might dismiss all the bugs leech book based on the
all the bugs leech book based on the
all the bugs leech book based on the porpoise suggestion alone but this
porpoise suggestion alone but this
porpoise suggestion alone but this recipe has recently been recreated at
recipe has recently been recreated at
recipe has recently been recreated at the University of Nottingham with some
the University of Nottingham with some
the University of Nottingham with some surprising results it turns out that
surprising results it turns out that
surprising results it turns out that it’s pretty great at killing a super bug
it’s pretty great at killing a super bug
it’s pretty great at killing a super bug called mr sa in fact it looks like it
called mr sa in fact it looks like it
called mr sa in fact it looks like it may be more effective or faster at
may be more effective or faster at
may be more effective or faster at killing mr sa than the leading
killing mr sa than the leading
killing mr sa than the leading antibiotic now this is important because
antibiotic now this is important because
antibiotic now this is important because as we keep using more and more
as we keep using more and more
as we keep using more and more antibiotics more and more bacteria are
antibiotics more and more bacteria are
antibiotics more and more bacteria are becoming resistant to them because
becoming resistant to them because
becoming resistant to them because bacteria evolve a lot faster than we do
bacteria evolve a lot faster than we do
bacteria evolve a lot faster than we do so it’s really important that we keep
so it’s really important that we keep
so it’s really important that we keep looking for new cures for these
looking for new cures for these
looking for new cures for these superbugs now not saying that we should
superbugs now not saying that we should
superbugs now not saying that we should start whipping people with porpoise
start whipping people with porpoise
start whipping people with porpoise skins to see that work what I am saying
skins to see that work what I am saying
skins to see that work what I am saying and we need to give our ancestors a bit
and we need to give our ancestors a bit
and we need to give our ancestors a bit more credit for their knowledge of the
more credit for their knowledge of the
more credit for their knowledge of the natural world they used to pact wounds
natural world they used to pact wounds
natural world they used to pact wounds with peat moss because it led to fewer
with peat moss because it led to fewer
with peat moss because it led to fewer infections and we now know that the
infections and we now know that the
infections and we now know that the moulds that grow in peat moss have
moulds that grow in peat moss have
moulds that grow in peat moss have antibiotic properties they chewed and
antibiotic properties they chewed and
antibiotic properties they chewed and they brood willow bark to cure pain and
they brood willow bark to cure pain and
they brood willow bark to cure pain and fever and that we now synthesize
fever and that we now synthesize
fever and that we now synthesize something very similar to make aspirin
something very similar to make aspirin
something very similar to make aspirin in fact in ancient Rome they used
in fact in ancient Rome they used
in fact in ancient Rome they used electric eels for shock therapy such as
electric eels for shock therapy such as
electric eels for shock therapy such as migraines and chronic pain and while
migraines and chronic pain and while
migraines and chronic pain and while many of not most of the cures that
many of not most of the cures that
many of not most of the cures that happen before the 20th century involved
happen before the 20th century involved
happen before the 20th century involved reciting a prayer or an incantation we
reciting a prayer or an incantation we
reciting a prayer or an incantation we can now measure the effects of positive
can now measure the effects of positive
can now measure the effects of positive thinking on the healing process
thinking on the healing process
thinking on the healing process now balls leech book is called the leech
now balls leech book is called the leech
now balls leech book is called the leech book because leech is an anglo-saxon
book because leech is an anglo-saxon
book because leech is an anglo-saxon word for doctor doctors used to use
word for doctor doctors used to use
word for doctor doctors used to use leech
leech
leech to reduce swelling by draining excess
to reduce swelling by draining excess
to reduce swelling by draining excess blood and modern medicine has come back
blood and modern medicine has come back
blood and modern medicine has come back around to using leeches for the same
around to using leeches for the same
around to using leeches for the same purpose just as they’ve come back around
purpose just as they’ve come back around
purpose just as they’ve come back around to using maggots to clear dead flesh
to using maggots to clear dead flesh
to using maggots to clear dead flesh from otherwise healthy wounds it’s true
from otherwise healthy wounds it’s true
from otherwise healthy wounds it’s true in fact the American Food and Drug
in fact the American Food and Drug
in fact the American Food and Drug Administration regulates leeches and
Administration regulates leeches and
Administration regulates leeches and maggots as medical devices and they have
maggots as medical devices and they have
maggots as medical devices and they have since 2004
since 2004
since 2004 so sometimes timeless wisdom can be
so sometimes timeless wisdom can be
so sometimes timeless wisdom can be pretty gross but it works now certainly
pretty gross but it works now certainly
pretty gross but it works now certainly and not all these cures are gonna be as
and not all these cures are gonna be as
and not all these cures are gonna be as effective as we might hope but here’s
effective as we might hope but here’s
effective as we might hope but here’s aren’t the only thing that we can learn
aren’t the only thing that we can learn
aren’t the only thing that we can learn from looking at the works of history’s
from looking at the works of history’s
from looking at the works of history’s doctors and healers one of the most
doctors and healers one of the most
doctors and healers one of the most devastating things to ever happen to
devastating things to ever happen to
devastating things to ever happen to humankind
humankind
humankind with the Black Death which hit Europe in
with the Black Death which hit Europe in
with the Black Death which hit Europe in 1347 killing between a third and a half
1347 killing between a third and a half
1347 killing between a third and a half of the entire population so if you look
of the entire population so if you look
of the entire population so if you look around this room and you picture between
around this room and you picture between
around this room and you picture between a third and half of people just gone you
a third and half of people just gone you
a third and half of people just gone you get an idea of what the death toll was
get an idea of what the death toll was
get an idea of what the death toll was like no history books make the most of
like no history books make the most of
like no history books make the most of the silliest of plague remedies but I
the silliest of plague remedies but I
the silliest of plague remedies but I think it’s fair to say that if half of
think it’s fair to say that if half of
think it’s fair to say that if half of this audience with dying of plague the
this audience with dying of plague the
this audience with dying of plague the other half would do just about anything
other half would do just about anything
other half would do just about anything to survive and some of the things they
to survive and some of the things they
to survive and some of the things they did like smelling stirring the flowers
did like smelling stirring the flowers
did like smelling stirring the flowers probably wouldn’t have worked but other
probably wouldn’t have worked but other
probably wouldn’t have worked but other things would have helped for example the
things would have helped for example the
things would have helped for example the word quarantine comes to us from the
word quarantine comes to us from the
word quarantine comes to us from the 40-day isolation period imposed on
40-day isolation period imposed on
40-day isolation period imposed on infected ships during the Black Death
infected ships during the Black Death
infected ships during the Black Death now some people did go around praying
now some people did go around praying
now some people did go around praying and whipping themselves because they
and whipping themselves because they
and whipping themselves because they thought it might please God but that
thought it might please God but that
thought it might please God but that didn’t mean that everybody gave up on an
didn’t mean that everybody gave up on an
didn’t mean that everybody gave up on an earthly cure French doctor said sure
earthly cure French doctor said sure
earthly cure French doctor said sure definitely pray but this does not mean
definitely pray but this does not mean
definitely pray but this does not mean forsaking doctors for the most high
forsaking doctors for the most high
forsaking doctors for the most high created earthly medicine and although
created earthly medicine and although
created earthly medicine and although God alone cures the sick he does so
God alone cures the sick he does so
God alone cures the sick he does so through the medicine which in his
through the medicine which in his
through the medicine which in his generosity he’s provided those they in
generosity he’s provided those they in
generosity he’s provided those they in French doctors in 1348 at the University
French doctors in 1348 at the University
French doctors in 1348 at the University of Paris were asked to come up with
of Paris were asked to come up with
of Paris were asked to come up with their best guesses as to where the
their best guesses as to where the
their best guesses as to where the plague came from and how to stop it and
plague came from and how to stop it and
plague came from and how to stop it and I think that moderns might think that
I think that moderns might think that
I think that moderns might think that the beginning of their work was kind of
the beginning of their work was kind of
the beginning of their work was kind of silly because it’s mostly about
silly because it’s mostly about
silly because it’s mostly about astrology but then they get into the
astrology but then they get into the
astrology but then they get into the possible environmental causes the entire
possible environmental causes the entire
possible environmental causes the entire last year they said has had unexpected
last year they said has had unexpected
last year they said has had unexpected winter was warmer than usual summer was
winter was warmer than usual summer was
winter was warmer than usual summer was colder but the whole of last year was
colder but the whole of last year was
colder but the whole of last year was unseasonally wet and they quote into
unseasonally wet and they quote into
unseasonally wet and they quote into Greek wisdom and say a year of many fogs
Greek wisdom and say a year of many fogs
Greek wisdom and say a year of many fogs and damp says a year of many illnesses
and damp says a year of many illnesses
and damp says a year of many illnesses something every modern kindergarten
something every modern kindergarten
something every modern kindergarten teacher can attest they also thought
teacher can attest they also thought
teacher can attest they also thought that the plague might have been caused
that the plague might have been caused
that the plague might have been caused by something they called corrupted air
by something they called corrupted air
by something they called corrupted air and that the corrupted air may have been
and that the corrupted air may have been
and that the corrupted air may have been stirred up by weather or recent
stirred up by weather or recent
stirred up by weather or recent earthquakes because everyone has to
earthquakes because everyone has to
earthquakes because everyone has to breathe they said everyone is at risk
breathe they said everyone is at risk
breathe they said everyone is at risk from the corrupted air and it turns out
from the corrupted air and it turns out
from the corrupted air and it turns out that they were right modern scientists
that they were right modern scientists
that they were right modern scientists and historians now believe that the
and historians now believe that the
and historians now believe that the Black Death is a combination of bubonic
Black Death is a combination of bubonic
Black Death is a combination of bubonic and pneumonic plague meaning it started
and pneumonic plague meaning it started
and pneumonic plague meaning it started out being transmitted through infected
out being transmitted through infected
out being transmitted through infected flea bites but then it evolved to be
flea bites but then it evolved to be
flea bites but then it evolved to be transmitted through airborne droplets
transmitted through airborne droplets
transmitted through airborne droplets spread by coughing and sneezing so in
spread by coughing and sneezing so in
spread by coughing and sneezing so in that sense it definitely was breathing
that sense it definitely was breathing
that sense it definitely was breathing that would get you sick and scientists
that would get you sick and scientists
that would get you sick and scientists have also used ice core samples and
have also used ice core samples and
have also used ice core samples and triggering data to show that weather is
triggering data to show that weather is
triggering data to show that weather is indeed connected to epidemic disease do
indeed connected to epidemic disease do
indeed connected to epidemic disease do the most devastating plagues in history
the most devastating plagues in history
the most devastating plagues in history the plague of Justinian which hit the
the plague of Justinian which hit the
the plague of Justinian which hit the Mediterranean in the sixth century and
Mediterranean in the sixth century and
Mediterranean in the sixth century and the Black Death which hit Europe Asia
the Black Death which hit Europe Asia
the Black Death which hit Europe Asia and Africa in the 14th century both
and Africa in the 14th century both
and Africa in the 14th century both followed periods of massive volcanic
followed periods of massive volcanic
followed periods of massive volcanic activity and unceasingly wet weather and
activity and unceasingly wet weather and
activity and unceasingly wet weather and it looks like the recurrences of plague
it looks like the recurrences of plague
it looks like the recurrences of plague that happened all the way up into
that happened all the way up into
that happened all the way up into Shakespeare’s day followed similar
Shakespeare’s day followed similar
Shakespeare’s day followed similar weather pattern so suddenly looking back
weather pattern so suddenly looking back
weather pattern so suddenly looking back at the weather that immediately preceded
at the weather that immediately preceded
at the weather that immediately preceded the Black Death seems very important and
the Black Death seems very important and
the Black Death seems very important and it is as we all know our climate is
it is as we all know our climate is
it is as we all know our climate is changing rapidly and the bacterium that
changing rapidly and the bacterium that
changing rapidly and the bacterium that was directly responsible for the plague
was directly responsible for the plague
was directly responsible for the plague of Justinian the Black Death and the
of Justinian the Black Death and the
of Justinian the Black Death and the third plague pandemic which killed
third plague pandemic which killed
third plague pandemic which killed millions in the 19th century that
millions in the 19th century that
millions in the 19th century that bacterium called Yersinia pestis still
bacterium called Yersinia pestis still
bacterium called Yersinia pestis still exists in hot spots in Asia Africa and
exists in hot spots in Asia Africa and
exists in hot spots in Asia Africa and even the United States know we can kill
even the United States know we can kill
even the United States know we can kill your senior pestis with antibiotics
your senior pestis with antibiotics
your senior pestis with antibiotics provided we’re ready so it’s really
provided we’re ready so it’s really
provided we’re ready so it’s really important that we learn as much as we
important that we learn as much as we
important that we learn as much as we can about historical outbreaks so that
can about historical outbreaks so that
can about historical outbreaks so that we can be better for
we can be better for
we can be better for haier next time and because people wrote
haier next time and because people wrote
haier next time and because people wrote down symptoms and the path of the
down symptoms and the path of the
down symptoms and the path of the devastation we can now follow the
devastation we can now follow the
devastation we can now follow the skeletal remains and plague burial pits
skeletal remains and plague burial pits
skeletal remains and plague burial pits and learn more about how the disease
and learn more about how the disease
and learn more about how the disease grew and spread and we can plan for
grew and spread and we can plan for
grew and spread and we can plan for other outbreaks of different epidemic
other outbreaks of different epidemic
other outbreaks of different epidemic diseases now like superbugs and climate
diseases now like superbugs and climate
diseases now like superbugs and climate change related illness another super
change related illness another super
change related illness another super modern problem that we can use some help
modern problem that we can use some help
modern problem that we can use some help with is the dilemma of artificial
with is the dilemma of artificial
with is the dilemma of artificial intelligence No believe it or not
intelligence No believe it or not
intelligence No believe it or not clockwork robots existed as far back as
clockwork robots existed as far back as
clockwork robots existed as far back as the ancient world and everywhere from
the ancient world and everywhere from
the ancient world and everywhere from Japan to the Middle East this is monk
Japan to the Middle East this is monk
Japan to the Middle East this is monk bot
bot
bot he is a 16th century robot which he can
he is a 16th century robot which he can
he is a 16th century robot which he can find in the Smithsonian and his robe is
find in the Smithsonian and his robe is
find in the Smithsonian and his robe is removed in this picture so you can see
removed in this picture so you can see
removed in this picture so you can see the gears that allowed him to move
the gears that allowed him to move
the gears that allowed him to move around and greet people now historical
around and greet people now historical
around and greet people now historical robots are a far cry from the androids
robots are a far cry from the androids
robots are a far cry from the androids that we have today or the programs that
that we have today or the programs that
that we have today or the programs that are creating their own languages but
are creating their own languages but
are creating their own languages but theologians and philosophers have been
theologians and philosophers have been
theologians and philosophers have been debating for millennia what makes us
debating for millennia what makes us
debating for millennia what makes us different from that what makes us human
different from that what makes us human
different from that what makes us human Aristotle thought it was reason and the
Aristotle thought it was reason and the
Aristotle thought it was reason and the drive for excellence Thomas Aquinas
drive for excellence Thomas Aquinas
drive for excellence Thomas Aquinas thought it was the desire to know God
thought it was the desire to know God
thought it was the desire to know God Mencius
Mencius
Mencius an ancient Chinese philosopher believed
an ancient Chinese philosopher believed
an ancient Chinese philosopher believed that humans have innate compassion know
that humans have innate compassion know
that humans have innate compassion know as our brilliant machines become more
as our brilliant machines become more
as our brilliant machines become more brilliant and perhaps more like us it
brilliant and perhaps more like us it
brilliant and perhaps more like us it makes sense to go back and look at those
makes sense to go back and look at those
makes sense to go back and look at those things that we’ve always said separate
things that we’ve always said separate
things that we’ve always said separate us from the other species now looking
us from the other species now looking
us from the other species now looking back to the past for help with science
back to the past for help with science
back to the past for help with science and technology seems like a bit of a
and technology seems like a bit of a
and technology seems like a bit of a stretch what about the many ways in
stretch what about the many ways in
stretch what about the many ways in which our ancestors tried to help us
which our ancestors tried to help us
which our ancestors tried to help us with practical wisdom the ancient
with practical wisdom the ancient
with practical wisdom the ancient Mesopotamians were wise enough to tell
Mesopotamians were wise enough to tell
Mesopotamians were wise enough to tell us not to make big decisions while
us not to make big decisions while
us not to make big decisions while drinking heavily
drinking heavily
drinking heavily medieval courtly lovers told us to
medieval courtly lovers told us to
medieval courtly lovers told us to beware of gold diggers medieval monks
beware of gold diggers medieval monks
beware of gold diggers medieval monks built green space into their monasteries
built green space into their monasteries
built green space into their monasteries to rest the souls and the eyes of the
to rest the souls and the eyes of the
to rest the souls and the eyes of the brothers who’ve been sitting at desks
brothers who’ve been sitting at desks
brothers who’ve been sitting at desks all day ancient Egyptian and Greek women
all day ancient Egyptian and Greek women
all day ancient Egyptian and Greek women told us to use a contraceptive if we
told us to use a contraceptive if we
told us to use a contraceptive if we don’t want to get pregnant they use
don’t want to get pregnant they use
don’t want to get pregnant they use pomegranate seeds and animal dung to
pomegranate seeds and animal dung to
pomegranate seeds and animal dung to increase their estrogen and disrupt
increase their estrogen and disrupt
increase their estrogen and disrupt their pH pretty much everything on the
their pH pretty much everything on the
their pH pretty much everything on the modern magazines
modern magazines
modern magazines and has been covered at one time or
and has been covered at one time or
and has been covered at one time or another monks from all different
another monks from all different
another monks from all different religions over millennia have been
religions over millennia have been
religions over millennia have been teaching us how to find inner peace get
teaching us how to find inner peace get
teaching us how to find inner peace get enough sleep eat in moderation meditate
enough sleep eat in moderation meditate
enough sleep eat in moderation meditate be grateful 15th century writers told us
be grateful 15th century writers told us
be grateful 15th century writers told us to have respect and find education for
to have respect and find education for
to have respect and find education for women and girls ancient philosopher is
women and girls ancient philosopher is
women and girls ancient philosopher is like the Stoics told us to live a life
like the Stoics told us to live a life
like the Stoics told us to live a life of disciplined virtue
of disciplined virtue
of disciplined virtue although Confucius said I have yet to
although Confucius said I have yet to
although Confucius said I have yet to meet the man who likes virtue as much as
meet the man who likes virtue as much as
meet the man who likes virtue as much as he loved sex
elders and indigenous cultures continue
elders and indigenous cultures continue to pass on practical and philosophical
to pass on practical and philosophical
to pass on practical and philosophical wisdom including the very smart advice
wisdom including the very smart advice
wisdom including the very smart advice of paying attention to the wisdom of
of paying attention to the wisdom of
of paying attention to the wisdom of your elders know what I love about
your elders know what I love about
your elders know what I love about history is the many different ways in
history is the many different ways in
history is the many different ways in which our ancestors tried to help us to
which our ancestors tried to help us to
which our ancestors tried to help us to leave better lives to learn from their
leave better lives to learn from their
leave better lives to learn from their mistakes and their heartache they don’t
mistakes and their heartache they don’t
mistakes and their heartache they don’t always get it right
always get it right
always get it right like the porpoise thing sometimes they
like the porpoise thing sometimes they
like the porpoise thing sometimes they don’t even get most things right and
don’t even get most things right and
don’t even get most things right and sometimes they just serve it as an
sometimes they just serve it as an
sometimes they just serve it as an example of who we don’t ever want to be
example of who we don’t ever want to be
example of who we don’t ever want to be but when we take our current living
but when we take our current living
but when we take our current living relatives and friends advice with a
relatives and friends advice with a
relatives and friends advice with a grain or two of salt we let them sit at
grain or two of salt we let them sit at
grain or two of salt we let them sit at the table with us to share their ideas
the table with us to share their ideas
the table with us to share their ideas we really need to let our ancestors sit
we really need to let our ancestors sit
we really need to let our ancestors sit at the table with us and hear what they
at the table with us and hear what they
at the table with us and hear what they have to say and why they say it instead
have to say and why they say it instead
have to say and why they say it instead of just missing their knowledge as
of just missing their knowledge as
of just missing their knowledge as primitive or superstitious because it’s
primitive or superstitious because it’s
primitive or superstitious because it’s old or we don’t understand the thinking
old or we don’t understand the thinking
old or we don’t understand the thinking behind it technology hasn’t necessarily
behind it technology hasn’t necessarily
behind it technology hasn’t necessarily made us a little smarter if you don’t
made us a little smarter if you don’t
made us a little smarter if you don’t believe me remember that well hundreds
believe me remember that well hundreds
believe me remember that well hundreds and thousands of years ago people knew
and thousands of years ago people knew
and thousands of years ago people knew the earth was a sphere there are people
the earth was a sphere there are people
the earth was a sphere there are people today that can look at photos from space
today that can look at photos from space
today that can look at photos from space and still believe it’s flat now I’m not
and still believe it’s flat now I’m not
and still believe it’s flat now I’m not saying all the answers are in the past
saying all the answers are in the past
saying all the answers are in the past if they were we’d have no problems left
if they were we’d have no problems left
if they were we’d have no problems left to solve but what I am saying is that if
to solve but what I am saying is that if
to solve but what I am saying is that if we find ourselves using words like
we find ourselves using words like
we find ourselves using words like primitive or superstition when we talk
primitive or superstition when we talk
primitive or superstition when we talk about the past that we look to make sure
about the past that we look to make sure
about the past that we look to make sure that there’s evidence to support those
that there’s evidence to support those
that there’s evidence to support those conclusions and that’s not just our
conclusions and that’s not just our
conclusions and that’s not just our tendency to
tendency to
tendency to see history is a straight-line of
see history is a straight-line of
see history is a straight-line of progress this is our moment in time and
progress this is our moment in time and
progress this is our moment in time and we are facing immense challenges to meet
we are facing immense challenges to meet
we are facing immense challenges to meet them we can draw on the wisdom of the
them we can draw on the wisdom of the
them we can draw on the wisdom of the billions of people living on earth right
billions of people living on earth right
billions of people living on earth right now and we can draw on the wisdom of the
now and we can draw on the wisdom of the
now and we can draw on the wisdom of the billions of people who lived on the
billions of people who lived on the
billions of people who lived on the planet before us but first we have to
planet before us but first we have to
planet before us but first we have to see history in three dimensions and
see history in three dimensions and
see history in three dimensions and really consciously take note of people’s
really consciously take note of people’s
really consciously take note of people’s brilliance and their successes as well
brilliance and their successes as well
brilliance and their successes as well as their failures as hilarious because
as their failures as hilarious because
as their failures as hilarious because those may be there is so much that we
those may be there is so much that we
those may be there is so much that we don’t know about the past and so many
don’t know about the past and so many
don’t know about the past and so many exciting discoveries are making every
exciting discoveries are making every
exciting discoveries are making every day but if we choose to ignore the
day but if we choose to ignore the
day but if we choose to ignore the wisdom of the past or if we continue to
wisdom of the past or if we continue to
wisdom of the past or if we continue to rip misrepresented by perpetuating myths
rip misrepresented by perpetuating myths
rip misrepresented by perpetuating myths and stereotypes they were adding
and stereotypes they were adding
and stereotypes they were adding exponentially to the things that we
exponentially to the things that we
exponentially to the things that we don’t know and we’re limiting our
don’t know and we’re limiting our
don’t know and we’re limiting our ability to solve current problems we can
ability to solve current problems we can
ability to solve current problems we can do better we can respect the past we can
do better we can respect the past we can
do better we can respect the past we can learn from it and we can build ourselves
learn from it and we can build ourselves
learn from it and we can build ourselves a bright future thank you
a bright future thank you
a bright future thank you [Applause]
”
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