🧵 Erich von Däniken is dead, aged 90.
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@cstross @Richard_Littler This is why I've always liked the Woodman hypothesis. He says "OK, let's suppose Von Daniken is right about the Nazca lines: they were meant to be viewed from the sky. Does this really necessitate aliens? Or is it possible that the people of ancient Peru simply invented flight?" And then he goes and demonstrates that it is indeed possible by building a hot air balloon using only materials and tech known to have been available to the builders of the Nazca lines.
@cstross @Richard_Littler And, like, it's still basically a crackpot theory with no real evidence behind it, but it's a crackpot theory that's more plausible AND less insulting than the crackpot theory it's reacting to
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Däniken's 'paleo-contact' claims of extraterrestrial influences on early human development, attracted a dedicated following, despite his earlier convictions for theft, fraud and embezzlement (and robust debunking of his theories). Films, soundtracks, and even prog concept albums followed his books.
@Richard_Littler
I have that album. I like it. Though I don’t concur with Von Däniken’s theories -
@cstross @Richard_Littler There’s even a meme for that…
@aprilfollies @cstross @Richard_Littler
Is there a T-shirt with this?
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@cstross Just one example among a great litany of things wrong with his books/theories.
@Richard_Littler @cstross I like the idea that the aliens were in England 8000 years ago, Egypt 6000 years ago, South America 1000 years ago, Easter Island 500 years ago. Every time modern Europeans turn up to a place it's "oh you juuuuust missed them!" Like Carmen Sandiego.
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E energisch_@troet.cafe shared this topic
