Who told you that?

[Morthoron]

Originally Posted by alatar

"For it is the doom of men that they forget." - Merlin in Excalibur

I own an Excalibur DVD. I don't know why. Much of it is rather silly, but I watch it every once in a while anyway. That must make me silly as well. *shrugs*

Originally Posted by alatar

So, in many mythologies, we're experiencing a knowledge entropy where, if one were to graph it, would be a downward asymptotic curve where we'll always know some things, but nothing like our ancestors or the gods.

To me, however, in the real world, it's the exact opposite.

I agree with you to a great extent, Alatar (or can I just call you Al?), but in regards to the 'real world' being the exact opposite, it depends on what you are referring to. I know for instance that there are many dying trade arts (plastering and wood joinery come to mind), and I know that many ceramics and porcelains cannot be duplicated from the 19th/early 20th century (I am no expert, so I can't offer a feasible explanation). In addition, in Michigan (which, surprisingly to some perhaps, has a large population of stabled horses) there are very few farriers or blacksmiths to meet the demand of shodding and other equinery (I believe I've just coined a word).

So, like I said, it depends on the abilities/trades you are referring to.

[alatar]

Originally Posted by Morthoron

I own an Excalibur DVD. I don't know why. Much of it is rather silly, but I watch it every once in a while anyway. That must make me silly as well. *shrugs*

Might have it on VHS, which, as an example of the real world, proves my point.

I agree with you to a great extent, Alatar (or can I just call you Al?),

I have no preference; just don't call me 'late for dinner.' My real world name is "Pestilence," and so Al is just fine.

but in regards to the 'real world' being the exact opposite, it depends on what you are referring to. I know for instance that there are many dying trade arts (plastering and wood joinery come to mind), and I know that many ceramics and porcelains cannot be duplicated from the 19th/early 20th century (I am no expert, so I can't offer a feasible explanation). In addition, in Michigan (which, surprisingly to some perhaps, has a large population of stabled horses) there are very few farriers or blacksmiths to meet the demand of shodding and other equinery (I believe I've just coined a word).

So, like I said, it depends on the abilities/trades you are referring to.

Tablets onto which to poke cuneiform are as rare as Betamax versions of Peter Jackson's LotR, and yet I don't feel the lack.

My point is that, if we wanted to, we could relearn how to care for horses as you say - maybe even in a better though different way. The exact information may be lost, but the ability isn't. I just think of all of the technological advances that we (well, other people that I'll glom onto) have made. Used to be that we saw stars in the heavens; now we see galaxies smashing into each other in HD. Before, demons caused most ills whereas today we know about germs. Used to be maps contained sea dragons where information was scant; now Google Maps just states that the information isn't available at that resolution.