The great rollicking Holocene has, according to a great many in the scientific community, come to a close. Yes friends, the ice that receded eleven thousand years ago allowing us all to cease our grunting stinking ways and settle down with wonderful things like wheat and rice, construct cities and art and civilization and generally be the groovy beings we are today, is no longer the most important event in shaping our geologic history. ENTER THE ANTHROPOCENE.
Mankind now determines geologic era, literally. "So the ice going away isn't a big deal anymore, so what?" Fine question, but not the right question, the right question being "What is the big deal if not the lack of ice?" The answer to that, us. We, being civilization (as I doubt anyone outside civilization is reading some asshole's blog about geologic epochs), are the new force shaping the Earth. Fret not though as this is not a climate change rant, just information. Information and perhaps a slight lamentation for the Holocene, never really getting the credit due to one of only two epochs (out of all of time mind you) in which we even existed. So, step back, take a moment and and remember all the great things the Holocene brought you, which is everything up until the invention of the steam engine in 1784, and don't forgot that all that you do shapes the Anthropocene.
1 comment:
I and many others would argue that it was well before 11,000 years ago that we began the process of domesticating plants and living in large groups, as evidenced by the megalithic works of such fame as the henges of the UK.
Post a Comment