Ancient Aliens (TV show and Theory)

[Mundane]

I don't know how popular of a show Ancient Aliens is, but tonight is the premiere of its third season. For those who don't know what the show is about I'll give some minor elaboration and point you to some links. The show is available all over the internet and in HD on Netflix. It airs on the History Channel.

Basically, the show focuses on a branch of scientific theory known as Ancient Astronaut theory. The major proponents of this theory argue that in our distant past(i.e. Ancient and Pre-historic eras), Earth's inhabitants came into contact with extraterrestrial beings. These beings, according to ancient astronaut theorists, interacted with the civilizations of these eras in such profound ways that they dramatically influenced our culture and technology(in the past and our own time). The show is laid out in the traditional History format - video and visuals complemented with narration and interviews with the theorists themselves. The episodes usually focus on a major themes present in the theory. These include the explanations for massive and intricate stone works(such as the Giza pyramids, the Mayan pyramids, and the stonework at Machu Piccu), that are built with seemingly unknown technology. Throughout the series they also try to provide evidence in more modern encounters, giving reference to Hitler and the Nazi's encounters with extraterrestrials. Bear in mind, the show is ALL theory. There are few mainstream scientists and scholars who believe in this theory. Now, for further research, visit:

• History Channel's Ancient Aliens website (watch the series)
• YouTube video of S1E1: The Evidence (the most encompassing video of the theory)
• Ancient astronauts @ Wikipedia

Okay. The aim of this thread is to discuss the TV show and the theory in general. I'm going to start it off by introducing the following questions:
• If you've seen the show, you've more than likely have felt the strange feeling of awe it gives as you watch. Is this unexplainable feeling a sign of the reality in the theory? Or is it just your mind's reaction to the utterly fascinating?
• If you've never seen the show or know nothing of the theory, based on my little quip or your own research, do you feel motivated to explore the possibilities presented in this theory?
• Lastly, I want to see how this theory sits with those who practice a major religion. The show uses tons and tons of Biblical and ancient text references to support the theory - how does that make you feel? Are you open to consider it? Or are you convinced the text is all there is?

LET'S TALK TRIPPY ALIEN SHIT! NOW! :cheers:

 

[coyotecraft]

I wouldn't be surprised if the point of the show is to make history sound interesting that people will want to look into it and research it for themselves.
They say stuff like, "look at how these rocks are cut; nobody knows how they did it. This is evidence that aliens helped them."
I'm like "Oh wow" I want to find out more about this place so I watch a NOVA documentary that explains everything and suddenly its not so mysterious anymore.

I took bible study classes in college that explains the writing forms, euphemisms, symbolism and culture during biblical times. When these guys talk about the bible: Heaven = space, Angels = Aliens, God's wrath = lazer beams. Its completely ridiculous, but also entertaining.
and this guy

 

[Ellie]

Theory is a very wrongly used word these days. It confuses people with Scientific Theory over general "theory".

Theory in this definition: something someone thinks might have happened lololol.

Theory in scientific definiton is a lot harder. To be a "theory" over an "idea" it has to go through very, very rigorous testing. It has to apply to all circumstances, beyond reasonable doubt. It has to be testable. It has to have evidence, and it cannot ignore evidence against it. It has to be verifiable.

None of this is testable or verifiable. It's a "story" more than a "theory". It's a "what if". Now there's nothing wrong with that until they start teaching it as if it's fact by making scientific programs about it.

People want there to be aliens. They'll find any way to discover ways aliens could fit in. But that's not what they should be doing.

They're starting with aliens, and saying "right, how can we fit this in".

What they should be doing is starting with earth and saying "right, what conclusions can we draw from this". That might lead to aliens but then it might lead to anything.

Whenever people are debunked over alien conspiracy theories they don't call it off as a bad theory, they sit back and think up another obscure way aliens could exist. They aren't testing for aliens, they're starting with aliens and testing for ways to fit them in.

 

[gRaViJa]

I don't want to be an ass, but this show has nothing scientific in it. Like the bird: it's a bird not an aeroplane! It was based off a hawk and adapted a little to be kept airborne for a while like a paper aeroplane. It's basic technology like the Shaduf for example and laughable to think it's from aliens.

The Tolema figurines being jet fighters is just hilarious. The first one looks like a Totem figure, the second one like a moth. Oh, they they make an aeroplane of this figurine and it flies! That's not weird if you add an engine and flight control surfaces to it.

They obiously try to find how aliens can be put in the story.

This is a classic example:

Oh, the egyptians made hieroglyphs depicting a helicopter and aeroplane! Turns out it are just 2 hieroglyphs on top of each other. The newer once were added hundreds of years later, because some pharao wanted his name on that wall instead of the older pharao's name.

This quote at around 28:30 made me laugh: "Now, if we change the word angel to alien, it sounds like like it could be something extraterrestial."

People just want to believe.

 

[So fist]

Yeah this is a branch of UFOology which is a psuedoscience like cryptozoology which is nicer way of saying I devote my life to studying bat crazy nonsense in lieu of working. Without going over the evidence the logic holes are obvious. Why would aliens who mastered interstellar travel just visit to drop off simple machines to help us build monuments? If there was something of value to them on this planet why not colonize it and possibly enslave a species that is barely on the cusp of the iron age? And absent anything of value that would interest them why would a species of such sophisticated advancement want to bother talking to a bunch of bronze age humans about the virtues of pullies and wheels. In short there is no sense to such an idea other than as the basis of a shitty sci fi novel.

Also on another note, what the fuck happened to the history channel? It used to be all hard history on wwii, civil war, biographies of presidents, and archaelogy. Now it's Pawn Stars, Ice Road Truckers, the bible predicts the future, or nostrodamus and the end of days, aliens built the pyramids, and discussions on the validity of creationism as an origin of earth. Did a bunch of goofy whiskey tango psuedo-christian radicals take over the channel or is that who the audience has become?

 

[Ellie]

They have them in the archives and have to show them somewhere. It's the same reason Dave, a channel made up of a BBC back catalogue of comedy and manlyprograms, has ended up showing Airport, Seaside Rescue, and so on. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dave_(TV_channel)#Current_programming

 

[bastian]

I've watched a few episodes, and I have to say I find it very amusing. Amusing in the "lol, do these people really believe this nonsense, lol?" way. But every once in a while they'll show something that will baffle me and I'm worry I'm starting to fall for it. :P

 

[Juan J. Sánchez]

I wouldn't watch it. Honestly, I'm angry at National Geographic and The History Channel for lately having so many crappy shows. What the heck ever happened to wildlife and biographies.

 

[gRaViJa]

+1, I used to watch those 2 channels everyday. Now all I see is Cesar Milan and Iceroad Truckers. Fail...

 

[Fusty]

This seems like a show that I would enjoy watching, but would never ever believe in.
It all seems a little too far fetched :p

Also:

Cesar Milan

Don't be hatin' on the Dog Whisperer, he's almost like a superhero, but with doggies :dog:

 

[Venetia]

I wouldn't watch it. Honestly, I'm angry at National Geographic and The History Channel for lately having so many crappy shows. What the heck ever happened to wildlife and biographies.

Oh sweet lord yes. They are SUCH CRAP NOW.

But if you get The Science Channel or any of the Smithsonian channels, they are def awesome. They especially have great evening/night programming. There's one show where this weird hippie black guy just wanders around in junkyards, teaching you how to assemble complex machines out of scraps of junk. For instance, he made a moving motorcycle/car out of like a plane wing and parts of a bicycle and the motor of a lawnmower. Also they show "How It's Made" and a show about paranormal/strange things that happened in history (such as the guy who weighed souls or a model who believed she was a manchurian candidate, etc).

If you dont get the channels try to watch em online or something. They are super good channels

 

[moog]

I like that pawn shop show but the border patrol one is so lol, i can look out my window and see that shit for free

 

[benos]

I don't want to be an ass, but this show has nothing scientific in it. Like the bird: it's a bird not an aeroplane! It was based off a hawk and adapted a little to be kept airborne for a while like a paper aeroplane. It's basic technology like the Shaduf for example and laughable to think it's from aliens.

The Tolema figurines being jet fighters is just hilarious. The first one looks like a Totem figure, the second one like a moth. Oh, they they make an aeroplane of this figurine and it flies! That's not weird if you add an engine and flight control surfaces to it.

They obiously try to find how aliens can be put in the story.

This is a classic example:

Oh, the egyptians made hieroglyphs depicting a helicopter and aeroplane! Turns out it are just 2 hieroglyphs on top of each other. The newer once were added hundreds of years later, because some pharao wanted his name on that wall instead of the older pharao's name.

This quote at around 28:30 made me laugh: "Now, if we change the word angel to alien, it sounds like like it could be something extraterrestial."

People just want to believe.

I disapprove that theory.

Just because they were on top of another, it could lead to accidental future sight on what may be in the future.