Comments on: No. Nobody found Mayan ruins in Georgia http://boingboing.net/2011/12/23/no-nobody-found-mayan-ruins-i.html Brain candy for Happy Mutants Wed, 19 Jun 2013 00:47:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: takeshi http://boingboing.net/2011/12/23/no-nobody-found-mayan-ruins-i.html#comment-1304970 takeshi Tue, 27 Dec 2011 11:26:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=135786#comment-1304970 As others have pointed out, this bit of advice could be reduced to "do not automatically trust anything you read on the Internet," or, even more broadly, "do not automatically trust anything you read, period."  Even the best peer-reviewed journals are subject to errancy. As others have pointed out, this bit of advice could be reduced to “do not automatically trust anything you read on the Internet,” or, even more broadly, “do not automatically trust anything you read, period.”  Even the best peer-reviewed journals are subject to errancy.

]]> By: anon ymous http://boingboing.net/2011/12/23/no-nobody-found-mayan-ruins-i.html#comment-1304924 anon ymous Tue, 27 Dec 2011 03:39:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=135786#comment-1304924 So, this is saying there are ruins, they're just not mayan?  Who care, ruins are ruins!  Still cool... So, this is saying there are ruins, they’re just not mayan?  Who care, ruins are ruins!  Still cool…

]]> By: MichaelZWilliamson http://boingboing.net/2011/12/23/no-nobody-found-mayan-ruins-i.html#comment-1304770 MichaelZWilliamson Mon, 26 Dec 2011 20:26:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=135786#comment-1304770 It's nice that you think so. It’s nice that you think so.

]]> By: MichaelZWilliamson http://boingboing.net/2011/12/23/no-nobody-found-mayan-ruins-i.html#comment-1304769 MichaelZWilliamson Mon, 26 Dec 2011 20:24:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=135786#comment-1304769 There's no trace of intervening culture between Hungary and Finland, though the languages are related (Finno-Ugaric). Then, of course, a deep enough dig DOES show some linear connections. I'm also not clear on what an argument from authority by a MISSISSIPPIAN expert has on allegedly MAYAN findings. I don't see any reason there couldn't have been trade between said cultures, or even eventually some transfer of concepts.  Certainly it is not proven, but to categorically state it's impossible destroys any scientific credibility the man might have. There’s no trace of intervening culture between Hungary and Finland, though the languages are related (Finno-Ugaric).

Then, of course, a deep enough dig DOES show some linear connections.

I’m also not clear on what an argument from authority by a MISSISSIPPIAN expert has on allegedly MAYAN findings.

I don’t see any reason there couldn’t have been trade between said cultures, or even eventually some transfer of concepts.  Certainly it is not proven, but to categorically state it’s impossible destroys any scientific credibility the man might have.

]]> By: el dueno http://boingboing.net/2011/12/23/no-nobody-found-mayan-ruins-i.html#comment-1304435 el dueno Sun, 25 Dec 2011 17:04:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=135786#comment-1304435 I didn't find any Mayan ruins in Georgia either, but I wasn't trying. Maybe someday I'll go to Georgia to look. I didn’t find any Mayan ruins in Georgia either, but I wasn’t trying. Maybe someday I’ll go to Georgia to look.

]]> By: Antinous / Moderator http://boingboing.net/2011/12/23/no-nobody-found-mayan-ruins-i.html#comment-1304396 Antinous / Moderator Sun, 25 Dec 2011 10:03:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=135786#comment-1304396 <a href="http://boingboing.net/2011/12/23/maker-of-10-lb-marzipan-pig-de.html" rel="nofollow">At The Marzipan Of Madness</a> At The Marzipan Of Madness

]]> By: Tony Burton http://boingboing.net/2011/12/23/no-nobody-found-mayan-ruins-i.html#comment-1304339 Tony Burton Sat, 24 Dec 2011 23:36:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=135786#comment-1304339 Is that sort of the pseudo Native American equivalent of "And I can see Russia from my backyard?"  Is that sort of the pseudo Native American equivalent of “And I can see Russia from my backyard?” 

]]> By: CountZero http://boingboing.net/2011/12/23/no-nobody-found-mayan-ruins-i.html#comment-1304286 CountZero Sat, 24 Dec 2011 20:30:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=135786#comment-1304286 As far as the Tlingit stories are concerned, it's fact that Vikings had established colonies in Greenland (hence the name, it was green then), and the east coast of mainland North America, and runic inscriptions have been found scratched on allustrades in buildings in Constantinople. Phoenician traders were regularly trading for tin with the inhabitants of Cornwall. Sea-going cultures were travelling much further than was originally thought. As far as the Tlingit stories are concerned, it’s fact that Vikings had established colonies in Greenland (hence the name, it was green then), and the east coast of mainland North America, and runic inscriptions have been found scratched on allustrades in buildings in Constantinople. Phoenician traders were regularly trading for tin with the inhabitants of Cornwall.
Sea-going cultures were travelling much further than was originally thought.

]]> By: Peece to the Peeps http://boingboing.net/2011/12/23/no-nobody-found-mayan-ruins-i.html#comment-1304270 Peece to the Peeps Sat, 24 Dec 2011 19:14:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=135786#comment-1304270 Did the Mississippians have Clovis?  Did the Mesoamericans?  Not evidence of direct contact, of course, but proof that the tribes in Arizona and Texas hadn't built their "illegal aliens" fence yet, and commerce would have been possible. Did the Mississippians have Clovis?  Did the Mesoamericans?  Not evidence of direct contact, of course, but proof that the tribes in Arizona and Texas hadn’t built their “illegal aliens” fence yet, and commerce would have been possible.

]]> By: ruun7264 http://boingboing.net/2011/12/23/no-nobody-found-mayan-ruins-i.html#comment-1304261 ruun7264 Sat, 24 Dec 2011 18:33:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=135786#comment-1304261 True - maize did come from Mexico. However, there has never been a single Mayan or Aztec artifact found at a Mississippian site. There have been lots of rumors from looters -- none have turned out to be true. I'm an archaeologist and this is my field. I have an open mind but I'm not gullible. True – maize did come from Mexico. However, there has never been a single Mayan or Aztec artifact found at a Mississippian site. There have been lots of rumors from looters — none have turned out to be true. I’m an archaeologist and this is my field. I have an open mind but I’m not gullible.

]]> By: AirPillo http://boingboing.net/2011/12/23/no-nobody-found-mayan-ruins-i.html#comment-1304257 AirPillo Sat, 24 Dec 2011 18:21:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=135786#comment-1304257 Oh god the Examiner. The only reason I recognize that name is because I remember the sundry evangelical bloggers there who use it as a pedestal for some truly mind-warping bigotry. There is no minimum allowable threshold of decency there. The worst human being on earth would be allowed to post their rantings freely. Oh god the Examiner. The only reason I recognize that name is because I remember the sundry evangelical bloggers there who use it as a pedestal for some truly mind-warping bigotry.

There is no minimum allowable threshold of decency there. The worst human being on earth would be allowed to post their rantings freely.

]]> By: Peece to the Peeps http://boingboing.net/2011/12/23/no-nobody-found-mayan-ruins-i.html#comment-1304194 Peece to the Peeps Sat, 24 Dec 2011 15:55:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=135786#comment-1304194 The Hawaiians have stories of sailing eastward, landing on the west coast of the Americas, and interacting with the people there.  The Tlingits have stories of migrating from Mediterranean Europe, across the Atlantic bridge to the Northeast coast of the Americas, traveling down to the gulf and westward, then north to Alaska.  But contact between the Mexican cultures and the Mississippian tribes?  Obviously absurd, to those who already have all the answers. The Hawaiians have stories of sailing eastward, landing on the west coast of the Americas, and interacting with the people there.  The Tlingits have stories of migrating from Mediterranean Europe, across the Atlantic bridge to the Northeast coast of the Americas, traveling down to the gulf and westward, then north to Alaska.  But contact between the Mexican cultures and the Mississippian tribes?  Obviously absurd, to those who already have all the answers.

]]> By: David Kopelman http://boingboing.net/2011/12/23/no-nobody-found-mayan-ruins-i.html#comment-1304174 David Kopelman Sat, 24 Dec 2011 14:22:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=135786#comment-1304174 Further, I've calculated with a high degree of confidence that the singularity will reveal itself and begin the "great suck" of all matter 11" under the third barstool from the right in the Platinum Club, 2723 Manchester Expy, Columbus Ga., 31904. Further, I’ve calculated with a high degree of confidence that the singularity will reveal itself and begin the “great suck” of all matter 11″ under the third barstool from the right in the Platinum Club,
2723 Manchester Expy, Columbus Ga., 31904.

]]> By: Wreckrob8 http://boingboing.net/2011/12/23/no-nobody-found-mayan-ruins-i.html#comment-1304156 Wreckrob8 Sat, 24 Dec 2011 12:55:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=135786#comment-1304156 A sense of irony always helps. A sense of irony always helps.

]]> By: oasisob1 http://boingboing.net/2011/12/23/no-nobody-found-mayan-ruins-i.html#comment-1304150 oasisob1 Sat, 24 Dec 2011 12:24:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=135786#comment-1304150 I am sceptical of this comment. I am sceptical of this comment.

]]> By: Mark McDermott http://boingboing.net/2011/12/23/no-nobody-found-mayan-ruins-i.html#comment-1304089 Mark McDermott Sat, 24 Dec 2011 05:37:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=135786#comment-1304089 I can't speak to the article in question, but I do note that Examiner is the only site that is paying me for content. And I don't have my stories assigned by some search algorithm, I just write about the Craft beer scene in Chicago. Meantime, EX has been picked up as a content provider for Google News' Editor's Picks section. Associated Content they ain't. They do have a lot of cornballs writing, just like Huffington. I can’t speak to the article in question, but I do note that Examiner is the only site that is paying me for content. And I don’t have my stories assigned by some search algorithm, I just write about the Craft beer scene in Chicago. Meantime, EX has been picked up as a content provider for Google News’ Editor’s Picks section. Associated Content they ain’t. They do have a lot of cornballs writing, just like Huffington.

]]> By: MarcVader http://boingboing.net/2011/12/23/no-nobody-found-mayan-ruins-i.html#comment-1304088 MarcVader Sat, 24 Dec 2011 05:36:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=135786#comment-1304088 An idea. If instead of passing SOPA they would ban SEO... The web would indeed be a better, safer place. (It would also put a hot female friend of mine out of business. But I could live with that.) An idea. If instead of passing SOPA they would ban SEO… The web would indeed be a better, safer place. (It would also put a hot female friend of mine out of business. But I could live with that.)

]]> By: MarcVader http://boingboing.net/2011/12/23/no-nobody-found-mayan-ruins-i.html#comment-1304085 MarcVader Sat, 24 Dec 2011 05:25:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=135786#comment-1304085 Thank you. Their version is more entertaining, therefore it must be true! Thank you.

Their version is more entertaining, therefore it must be true!

]]> By: Genre Slur http://boingboing.net/2011/12/23/no-nobody-found-mayan-ruins-i.html#comment-1304076 Genre Slur Sat, 24 Dec 2011 04:42:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=135786#comment-1304076 The reductionist/mechanistic model is the 19th century reaching from beyond the grave to choke the potential of biology. In my small opinion. To look at the implicit analogy, building materials, when brought to a location, turn into a building sui generis. I won't give the Watchmaker any respect, but it seems that something is missing, is all. The reductionist/mechanistic model is the 19th century reaching from beyond the grave to choke the potential of biology. In my small opinion. To look at the implicit analogy, building materials, when brought to a location, turn into a building sui generis. I won’t give the Watchmaker any respect, but it seems that something is missing, is all.

]]> By: pjcamp http://boingboing.net/2011/12/23/no-nobody-found-mayan-ruins-i.html#comment-1304073 pjcamp Sat, 24 Dec 2011 04:35:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=135786#comment-1304073 As someone who grew up in and lives in this very area, I can tell you exactly where this story came from. Georgia is on the edge of the Mound Builder (Mississippian) culture. One set of such mounds is a Georgia State Park: http://www.gastateparks.org/EtowahMounds Local legend, that I've heard all my life, is that these are Mayan and/or Aztec (depends on the teller) mounds and once had temples on top. Apparently, the exurban Mayans couldn't afford stone pyramids. So there you go. It's local urban legend. As someone who grew up in and lives in this very area, I can tell you exactly where this story came from. Georgia is on the edge of the Mound Builder (Mississippian) culture. One set of such mounds is a Georgia State Park:

http://www.gastateparks.org/EtowahMounds

Local legend, that I’ve heard all my life, is that these are Mayan and/or Aztec (depends on the teller) mounds and once had temples on top. Apparently, the exurban Mayans couldn’t afford stone pyramids.

So there you go. It’s local urban legend.

]]> By: SedanChair http://boingboing.net/2011/12/23/no-nobody-found-mayan-ruins-i.html#comment-1304043 SedanChair Sat, 24 Dec 2011 03:32:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=135786#comment-1304043 Exactly, I had managed to figure out that many Examiner articles are garbage without knowing how their content farming model works. I just figured they were a really crappy news source. Like, you know, most instances of the printed word. Exactly, I had managed to figure out that many Examiner articles are garbage without knowing how their content farming model works. I just figured they were a really crappy news source. Like, you know, most instances of the printed word.

]]> By: Antinous / Moderator http://boingboing.net/2011/12/23/no-nobody-found-mayan-ruins-i.html#comment-1304042 Antinous / Moderator Sat, 24 Dec 2011 03:31:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=135786#comment-1304042 Pedants are standing by, waiting to take your comment. Pedants are standing by, waiting to take your comment.

]]> By: Xof http://boingboing.net/2011/12/23/no-nobody-found-mayan-ruins-i.html#comment-1304036 Xof Sat, 24 Dec 2011 03:19:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=135786#comment-1304036 Yes, I agree. The discipline that gave us the filioque controversy and the discipline that gave us antibiotics are exactly the same in scientific rigor.  Yes, I agree. The discipline that gave us the filioque controversy and the discipline that gave us antibiotics are exactly the same in scientific rigor. 

]]> By: Genre Slur http://boingboing.net/2011/12/23/no-nobody-found-mayan-ruins-i.html#comment-1304029 Genre Slur Sat, 24 Dec 2011 02:51:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=135786#comment-1304029 Post Script: I have as much respect for the 'discipline' of archeology as I have for the 'disciplines' of theology, sociology, biology, et cetera. Not much, for those who want an easy read. Post Script: I have as much respect for the ‘discipline’ of archeology as I have for the ‘disciplines’ of theology, sociology, biology, et cetera. Not much, for those who want an easy read.

]]> By: Jim Saul http://boingboing.net/2011/12/23/no-nobody-found-mayan-ruins-i.html#comment-1304025 Jim Saul Sat, 24 Dec 2011 02:47:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=135786#comment-1304025 What did Danforth see?! What did Danforth see?!

]]> By: Jim Saul http://boingboing.net/2011/12/23/no-nobody-found-mayan-ruins-i.html#comment-1304021 Jim Saul Sat, 24 Dec 2011 02:43:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=135786#comment-1304021 Don't forget that there's also a new astral herald (or comet) sweeping the sky (at least south of the equator.) And Pope "Glory of the Olives" Ratzinger is looking pretty green around the gills, meaning that "Peter of Rome" could be elected soon. ;-) Don’t forget that there’s also a new astral herald (or comet) sweeping the sky (at least south of the equator.)

And Pope “Glory of the Olives” Ratzinger is looking pretty green around the gills, meaning that “Peter of Rome” could be elected soon.

;-)

]]> By: Genre Slur http://boingboing.net/2011/12/23/no-nobody-found-mayan-ruins-i.html#comment-1304019 Genre Slur Sat, 24 Dec 2011 02:42:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=135786#comment-1304019 The multi-model agnostic in me wants the title to be: No Evidence Found of a Georgian location for the Mayan Civilization, Yet. The multi-model agnostic in me wants the title to be: No Evidence Found of a Georgian location for the Mayan Civilization, Yet.

]]> By: Jim Saul http://boingboing.net/2011/12/23/no-nobody-found-mayan-ruins-i.html#comment-1304011 Jim Saul Sat, 24 Dec 2011 02:33:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=135786#comment-1304011 Oh, I think the immediate comment pile-on triggered by the slightest questionable inference here on BB constitutes a sort of peer review. After years of it, I'm sure the painful feedback cycle has built habits of care in posting. Oh, I think the immediate comment pile-on triggered by the slightest questionable inference here on BB constitutes a sort of peer review. After years of it, I’m sure the painful feedback cycle has built habits of care in posting.

]]> By: jerwin http://boingboing.net/2011/12/23/no-nobody-found-mayan-ruins-i.html#comment-1303956 jerwin Sat, 24 Dec 2011 00:53:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=135786#comment-1303956 Hmm. So a canny nativist might be able to weave this discovery into a "La Raza" conspiracy? Hmm. So a canny nativist might be able to weave this discovery into a “La Raza” conspiracy?

]]> By: Gabriel K. http://boingboing.net/2011/12/23/no-nobody-found-mayan-ruins-i.html#comment-1303952 Gabriel K. Sat, 24 Dec 2011 00:45:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=135786#comment-1303952 Google and Bing have made substantial improvements to their algorithms and feedback systems that have largely countered the efforts of most content farms over the last year to stay at the top of their search results.  They still get in there, but it's nothing like it used to be just one year ago. Google and Bing have made substantial improvements to their algorithms and feedback systems that have largely countered the efforts of most content farms over the last year to stay at the top of their search results.  They still get in there, but it’s nothing like it used to be just one year ago.

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