Who drew the Nazca Lines and why? Aliens, offerings, or brilliant engineers? The crew explores Nazca Lines, crop circles, Peruvian history and culture.
Hey Joe, Georgia, Mary, Nick, and Lorena!! Lorena is an architectural designer, entrepreneur, and artist? Awesome!!
Good info about the Nazca Lines. I am intrigued.
It is cool how they are math based. 😀 And they didn't have calculators or computers like we do. It's wonderful how well preserved it is.
I would love to learn more about the civilizations in Peru. I agree, it is awesome how they made geoglyphs of animals they never saw.
I am intrigued by the engineering and math involved too.
Great to learn about the Lady of the Lines 😀
Yeah, I am not a fan of how so many marvels from the past are theorized to have been made by aliens.
Great summary of crop circles.
Makes sense that puquios could be blueprints. It is intriguing how they were able to get water to a place with little rain/a dry area.
I wonder how long El Nino has been around. I have heard of it in California also.
It is great to learn more about the Inca and Machu Picchu!
I saw Lorena's paintings on the show notes. They are wonderful!!
I have a Peruvian friend who is an artist and a writer. I learned a little bit about Peru from her and want to learn even more. I should pick her brain sometime. I got to meet up with her last time when I was Indiana 🙂
Wow, the pyramids in Peru are older than the pyramids in Egypt? Cool!! I want to visit it!!
I heard crop circles were debunked. Interesting how 20% are unexplained. I am interested in learning how they were made.
Lol ya I love how free flowing the podcast is and discussions are 😀
Crop circles in England? Interesting.
Good info about why crop circles are conflated for crop circles.
Makes sense that the Nazca Lines could be an art expression 🙂.
I want to learn more about the different geoglyphs in South America and Asia! It is cool to learn about the Amazon and Peruvian Empire!
I have friends from Chile, Peru, and Argentina and would love to learn more from them and visit 😀
Ooh I don't think I heard of the one in Blythe! I need to see it too!
Iowa, Wisconsion, and Ohio? Neat!! Cool how there are geolyphs there.
There is much we can talk about for the places we are from. I should talk more with you about the places you grew up in :). I can talk a lot about California.
Agreed! It is sad how people do not want to learn about history. And I agree with Lorena that we should talk with people to talk about their history and learn about history of other places also.
I really enjoy learning about Peruvian culture and history from Lorena!!
I really want to go to Jose's Family Restaurant! Will need to go the next time I am in Indiana!
Quinoa, tomato, and potatoes are good! I didn't know jerky are Puritan! That's cool 😀
It was cool to learn about agricultural practices and how important and integral they are to survival of crops.
I didn't know Peruvians do not eat tomato seeds and that you would get a refund if there is a tomato seed in your dish at a Peruvian restaurant. Good to know.
Oh wow, I did not know Tupac's name is Peruvian! That's cool.
I want to see Disclosure Day!
Ooh I wanna play Horizon Zero Dawn!
Yessss! Humans are ingenious and Nazca Lines are human made. I don't know the reason but it could be practical and artistic.
I get tired of how people give aliens credit for everything.
Tupananchiskama! Lorena is awesome! Great episode!
I've tried Peruvian food in Sacramento and Los Angeles. Need to try it in Indiana🙂
Alex, thanks for listening. It was a fun conversation and I learned a lot through my research and Lorena’s experience and generosity in sharing her culture.
The crew landed on human ingenuity over aliens, but what's your take? Were the Nazca Lines ceremonial offerings, astronomical calendars, engineering blueprints, or something else entirely?
Probably ceremonial offerings. It may also be engineering blueprints. Based on my limited knowledge, I think it's a combination of both and art at the same time. I might be wrong. And I'd love to learn much more.
--
The alien theory gets dismissed a lot, but as Nick points out, it's a hard idea to shake. What is it about unexplained ancient structures that makes us reach for extraterrestrial explanations, and what does that say about us?
I think it's because people think it's impossible for such structures to be made. Part of the reason why people see it that way is because people didn't have calculators, computers, or other advanced technology then. I think another reason is probably also bias (especially since we see extraterrestrial theories used to explain structures built in Egypt and the Americas). I think it shows us multiple things:
1. People discount how ingenious people can be.
2. People need to reflect on the biases that they've internalized as well as open their minds and be curious.
3. There are so many stories and narratives ignored by dominant historical narratives. There is much we all can learn.
--
Lorena says that as a Peruvian living in the States, she sees herself as an ambassador for her culture. Is there a culture, heritage, or place you feel that kind of responsibility toward? How do you carry it with you?
Not sure. Hmm...I don't know enough about China's history or cultural celebrations to be an ambassador for Chinese culture (I'm Chinese-American). I assisted with organizing a Lunar New Year event but I don't know if that's necessarily being an ambassador of the culture. Nonetheless, I do have some Chinese characters in my story multiverse and I work to make sure I portray them authentically. There are stereotypes of Chinese people (and portrayal of Chinese characters often focuses on them being martial artists or villains (I see you 24) or subservient (or the model minority myth). Stereotypes are so harmful. So I try to portray my Chinese characters in three-dimensional ways. For example, my character Matt is funny and a bit impulsive, but he's also very caring, selfless, and will stand up against anyone who seeks to harm others (and he's not a martial artist or a villain). He struggles with a lot of pain within and while he starts off as someone who struggles with confidence, I'm excited to write his growth and his arc. He's a superhero.
I guess I do feel a responsibility about California, though it's not exactly a strong sense of responsibility. I can (and would) push back against those who just see California as an unsafe expensive state that people flee from (it's more nuanced than that). This question is making me think a lot though...Hmm Well I guess I feel more responsibility towards how I live my life as a Catholic man striving to do good. Society often expects men to be tough and stoic and toxic masculinity is so pervasive. There's also so much bigotry (transphobia, homophobia, xenophobia, etc.) and religion has (and is still) being used to justify bigotry. That really disturbs me. I'm trying to live a life of spreading kindness and love and trying to live out Jesus' teachings of love. I'm trying to be a good ally and also trying to educate myself as much as I can and raise awareness too (and speak out (i.e. calling lawmakers). Also trying to make sure I listen to (and amplify) women, LGBTQIA+, and BIPOC voices. Most of all, I try to live a life of kindness, curiosity, and love - and I try to use my art to do this too. I'm far from perfect, but it's what I feel a responsibility towards for myself as a man and a Catholic (I'm a pretty progressive Catholic). Ultimately, I hope to help people and hope I can inspire people too. (Also, to be clear, I'm not trying to convert anyone. My goal is to live a life of love and light as best as I can).
Sorry for the long ramble! I found this to be tough to answer and it definitely led to a lot of introspection.
Hey Joe, Georgia, Mary, Nick, and Lorena!! Lorena is an architectural designer, entrepreneur, and artist? Awesome!!
Good info about the Nazca Lines. I am intrigued.
It is cool how they are math based. 😀 And they didn't have calculators or computers like we do. It's wonderful how well preserved it is.
I would love to learn more about the civilizations in Peru. I agree, it is awesome how they made geoglyphs of animals they never saw.
I am intrigued by the engineering and math involved too.
Great to learn about the Lady of the Lines 😀
Yeah, I am not a fan of how so many marvels from the past are theorized to have been made by aliens.
Great summary of crop circles.
Makes sense that puquios could be blueprints. It is intriguing how they were able to get water to a place with little rain/a dry area.
I wonder how long El Nino has been around. I have heard of it in California also.
It is great to learn more about the Inca and Machu Picchu!
I saw Lorena's paintings on the show notes. They are wonderful!!
I have a Peruvian friend who is an artist and a writer. I learned a little bit about Peru from her and want to learn even more. I should pick her brain sometime. I got to meet up with her last time when I was Indiana 🙂
Wow, the pyramids in Peru are older than the pyramids in Egypt? Cool!! I want to visit it!!
I heard crop circles were debunked. Interesting how 20% are unexplained. I am interested in learning how they were made.
Lol ya I love how free flowing the podcast is and discussions are 😀
Crop circles in England? Interesting.
Good info about why crop circles are conflated for crop circles.
Makes sense that the Nazca Lines could be an art expression 🙂.
I want to learn more about the different geoglyphs in South America and Asia! It is cool to learn about the Amazon and Peruvian Empire!
I have friends from Chile, Peru, and Argentina and would love to learn more from them and visit 😀
Ooh I don't think I heard of the one in Blythe! I need to see it too!
Iowa, Wisconsion, and Ohio? Neat!! Cool how there are geolyphs there.
There is much we can talk about for the places we are from. I should talk more with you about the places you grew up in :). I can talk a lot about California.
Agreed! It is sad how people do not want to learn about history. And I agree with Lorena that we should talk with people to talk about their history and learn about history of other places also.
I really enjoy learning about Peruvian culture and history from Lorena!!
I really want to go to Jose's Family Restaurant! Will need to go the next time I am in Indiana!
Quinoa, tomato, and potatoes are good! I didn't know jerky are Puritan! That's cool 😀
It was cool to learn about agricultural practices and how important and integral they are to survival of crops.
I didn't know Peruvians do not eat tomato seeds and that you would get a refund if there is a tomato seed in your dish at a Peruvian restaurant. Good to know.
Oh wow, I did not know Tupac's name is Peruvian! That's cool.
I want to see Disclosure Day!
Ooh I wanna play Horizon Zero Dawn!
Yessss! Humans are ingenious and Nazca Lines are human made. I don't know the reason but it could be practical and artistic.
I get tired of how people give aliens credit for everything.
Tupananchiskama! Lorena is awesome! Great episode!
I've tried Peruvian food in Sacramento and Los Angeles. Need to try it in Indiana🙂
Alex, thanks for listening. It was a fun conversation and I learned a lot through my research and Lorena’s experience and generosity in sharing her culture.
Maybe we should do more presides like this 🤔
We want to Hear From You (leave a comment):
--
The crew landed on human ingenuity over aliens, but what's your take? Were the Nazca Lines ceremonial offerings, astronomical calendars, engineering blueprints, or something else entirely?
Probably ceremonial offerings. It may also be engineering blueprints. Based on my limited knowledge, I think it's a combination of both and art at the same time. I might be wrong. And I'd love to learn much more.
--
The alien theory gets dismissed a lot, but as Nick points out, it's a hard idea to shake. What is it about unexplained ancient structures that makes us reach for extraterrestrial explanations, and what does that say about us?
I think it's because people think it's impossible for such structures to be made. Part of the reason why people see it that way is because people didn't have calculators, computers, or other advanced technology then. I think another reason is probably also bias (especially since we see extraterrestrial theories used to explain structures built in Egypt and the Americas). I think it shows us multiple things:
1. People discount how ingenious people can be.
2. People need to reflect on the biases that they've internalized as well as open their minds and be curious.
3. There are so many stories and narratives ignored by dominant historical narratives. There is much we all can learn.
--
Lorena says that as a Peruvian living in the States, she sees herself as an ambassador for her culture. Is there a culture, heritage, or place you feel that kind of responsibility toward? How do you carry it with you?
Not sure. Hmm...I don't know enough about China's history or cultural celebrations to be an ambassador for Chinese culture (I'm Chinese-American). I assisted with organizing a Lunar New Year event but I don't know if that's necessarily being an ambassador of the culture. Nonetheless, I do have some Chinese characters in my story multiverse and I work to make sure I portray them authentically. There are stereotypes of Chinese people (and portrayal of Chinese characters often focuses on them being martial artists or villains (I see you 24) or subservient (or the model minority myth). Stereotypes are so harmful. So I try to portray my Chinese characters in three-dimensional ways. For example, my character Matt is funny and a bit impulsive, but he's also very caring, selfless, and will stand up against anyone who seeks to harm others (and he's not a martial artist or a villain). He struggles with a lot of pain within and while he starts off as someone who struggles with confidence, I'm excited to write his growth and his arc. He's a superhero.
I guess I do feel a responsibility about California, though it's not exactly a strong sense of responsibility. I can (and would) push back against those who just see California as an unsafe expensive state that people flee from (it's more nuanced than that). This question is making me think a lot though...Hmm Well I guess I feel more responsibility towards how I live my life as a Catholic man striving to do good. Society often expects men to be tough and stoic and toxic masculinity is so pervasive. There's also so much bigotry (transphobia, homophobia, xenophobia, etc.) and religion has (and is still) being used to justify bigotry. That really disturbs me. I'm trying to live a life of spreading kindness and love and trying to live out Jesus' teachings of love. I'm trying to be a good ally and also trying to educate myself as much as I can and raise awareness too (and speak out (i.e. calling lawmakers). Also trying to make sure I listen to (and amplify) women, LGBTQIA+, and BIPOC voices. Most of all, I try to live a life of kindness, curiosity, and love - and I try to use my art to do this too. I'm far from perfect, but it's what I feel a responsibility towards for myself as a man and a Catholic (I'm a pretty progressive Catholic). Ultimately, I hope to help people and hope I can inspire people too. (Also, to be clear, I'm not trying to convert anyone. My goal is to live a life of love and light as best as I can).
Sorry for the long ramble! I found this to be tough to answer and it definitely led to a lot of introspection.