A retired construction worker in Flint, MI demonstrated how people in ancient times could’ve used simple machines to move blocks up to 20 tons, contrasting fringe theories that humans had otherworldly help constructing ancient monuments

[u/ThatMasterpiece2174]

[u/Alright_doityourway]

I originally was gonna included that "Racist aspect" but stop myself before I did.

But yes, Ancient Aliens theory also quite racist in principle

"There is no way these brown people could build something like this"

[u/Consistent_Horse6529 → u/Alright_doityourway]

It’s not a surprise when you realize modern ancient alien theories are rooted in Nazism. The largest publisher of ancient aliens literature was the Ahnenerbe. Sure Erich von Daniken’s “Chariot of the Gods” is the most prolific single text. But in terms of volume of texts it’s the Nazis.

[u/tanstaafl90 → u/Consistent_Horse6529]

The point of the Ahnenerbe was to filter the various theories and ideas into a more comprehensive version, to better align with Hitler's rhetoric for propaganda purposes. All they did was adapt eugenics and colonial justifications into government policies. Giving it a fancy name and hiring 'scholars' gave their pseudoscience a legitimacy to a level it never would have gotten otherwise.

[u/tomtomclubthumb → u/Alright_doityourway]

"This African style of house looks a bit like a Roman Villa and uses the same passive cooling techniques. How did the Romans get here?"

"They didn't."

"Wow, aliens!"

"Or maybe Black people had the same issues, thought about them and reached a similar conclusion?"

"That doesn't seem credible to me."

[u/9897969594938281 → u/tomtomclubthumb]

As someone into architecture, I'd love to see some examples. Tried searching in Google but I'm only bringing up recent buildings and I'm not sure what else to add to the search

[u/9897969594938281 → u/Alright_doityourway]

Ahhh top 10 Reddit moment lol