The Fall: The Insanity of the Ego in Human History and The Dawning of a New Era

[cleanhippie]

Approximately 6000 years ago, something went horribly wrong for much of the world’s population of hunter-gatherer bands and tribal peoples; an event that Steve Taylor calls “The Fall“. What had been a land of plenty and a mostly peaceful existence, turned to scarcity and fear. The lush grasslands and forests of the Middle East and Central Asia dried up, disappeared and turned to desert.

The peoples of that region spread out and conquered much of Asia, Europe and North Africa. It was a conquest with dire psychological consequences that has endured to the present.

According to author Steve Taylor, in his book, The Fall: The Insanity of the Ego in Human History and The Dawning of a New Era, 4000 BCE marks the point at which humanity went from being a culture that was relatively peaceful and egalitarian, and fallen to one that was wanton with constant violence and subjugation.

--snip--

What is developing is a new psychological disposition that has never existed before, and not a regression to the purely magical world of ancient peoples. Taylor believes that over the last 150 years a less egocentric and more empathic center of gravity is taking shape in our collective consciousness. As an example, he points out how shocked a modern day human would be to see how horribly people treated each other a mere three hundred years ago in England, where only a few–all wealthy men–had any rights. He also points out the great strides in civil rights that have emerged in the last 150 years, from the abolishment of slavery, to women being granted full rights of citizenship on equal par with men.

http://madmikesamerica.com/2011/09/the-fall-of-humanity-and-6000-years-of-insanity/

[tama]

1. Recommended

Nice coincidence, I just made couple comments about collective insanity (or insanity of ego) in this thread that was posted very short moment before this: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x2067977

The coevolutionary relationship between humans and some annual hay plants (wheat, barley, rice etc.) called agriculture and then civilization started some 10 000 + years ago. It seems that the human potential of "Big Ego" thrives in this coevolutionary relationship that has created very hierarchic pyramid-like societies.

[The Magistrate]

2. A Nice Story, Sir, But No More Than That

[tama]

3. We are a story telling species

I too would like to share one. There was a meeting few months ago about use of psychadelic drugs and related stuff that turned into mutual support group of sharing experiences of "altered state of mind", encounters with various spirits etc. When somebody asked how many participants have at some point of their life tripped about being Jesus, more than half raised their hands - with much laughter. It was then said that if the second coming of Christ can have any positive meaning, it will happen as manifesting in relations between humans - and other beings - not as just one more single Messiah-person. Sure, Christian mythology is just one story among many others and no need to get hung about it - I don't, I just like to give also Christianity as positive interpretation I can imagine.

These days people are rising up and uniting for common cause - "joining us" - on several continents in hundreds of cities, and much else is going on. Many call this r-evolution, and considering our current predicament, we need to evolve as cultures, communities and individuals - as species. I hope what we are now experiencing will became a nice story, but not only. I believe we owe it to ourselves and our fellow beings to stay open to the potential that "another world is possible", that we can evolve. Together.

[Jim__]

4. Steve Taylor may not be the most reliable source.

From his website

There's an article of mine in the new (September) issue of Kindred Spirit, about Eckhart Tolle and why he's become 'the most spiritually influential person in the world' (according to a recent survey).

I also have an article in the new (October) issue of Spirit and Destiny magazine, entitled 'Lunar Consciousness', about how the moon affects us as human beings, and how space travel has transformed the awareness of astronauts.

Finally, I have an article in the new present issue of Natural Health magazine, about how being diagnosed with cancer can be a transformative and awakening experience.

You could also watch this CONSCIOUS.TV video of an interview on his latest book, Waking from Sleep


For a different opinion on violence in early human history (going back to the beginnings of humanity) here is a roughly 73 minute video of a Yale open course. This is a description of what's on the video.

Description: Global Problems of Population Growth (MCDB 150) Throughout prehistoric, written, and recent history, human warfare has been commonplace. Nearly all societies engage in regular or periodic war. In many examples, human warfare has characteristics similar to chimpanzee war: an in-group fights with and kills members of the out-group. This information is not to be misinterpreted as either justifying human violence or considering it inevitable. When it comes to births and fecundity, though, humans are very different from the other great apes. Chimpanzees reproduce once every five to eight years; humans can give birth again within 18 months. It is likely that an increase in male contribution to child rearing allowed this greater fecundity. Complete course materials are available at the Open Yale Courses website: open.yale.edu This course was recorded in Spring 2009.

The video strongly contradicts Taylor's contention:

According to author Steve Taylor, in his book, The Fall: The Insanity of the Ego in Human History and The Dawning of a New Era, 4000 BCE marks the point at which humanity went from being a culture that was relatively peaceful and egalitarian, and fallen to one that was wanton with constant violence and subjugation.