JRE #852 – John Anthony West

This episode of the Joe Rogan Experience delves into the controversial claims of John Anthony West, a proponent of the Sphinx water erosion hypothesis and a researcher of ancient civilizations. Provocative and viral topics include the age of the Sphinx, alternative explanations for precession, the existence of a lost civilization, and the pursuit of immortality. Underlying themes center on the clash between mainstream scientific paradigms and unconventional ideas, the limitations of current knowledge about the past, and the potential for hidden truths in ancient myths and symbols.

Major Topics

1. The Sphinx Water Erosion Hypothesis:

   1. John Anthony West’s initial encounter with the Sphinx and the shock of recognizing water erosion.
   2. The prevailing academic view that the Sphinx is only 4,500 years old and the implications of the water erosion hypothesis for the dating of the structure.
   3. The challenge to the reigning “religion” of science, which prioritizes progress and disregards the possibility of advanced ancient civilizations.
   4. The ongoing struggle to validate the hypothesis and the potential for a paradigm shift in understanding human history.

2. Precession and Ancient Knowledge:

   1. The precession of the equinoxes and its importance in understanding ancient astronomical knowledge.
   2. The ancient Egyptians’ mapping of the 26,000-year cycle of precession and the implications for the level of their scientific understanding.
   3. The counter-theory to the standard explanation of precession, which posits a dwarf star orbiting the sun as the cause of the wobble.
   4. The significance of the number 72 and its connection to time, mythology, and esoteric doctrines in various ancient cultures.

3. The Age of Ancient Egypt:

   1. The Egyptian account of their own history, recorded in the Palermo Stone and Turin Papyrus, which suggests a far longer history than conventionally accepted.
   2. The evidence of highly sophisticated architecture, art, and astronomical knowledge in Dynastic Egypt, suggesting a pre-existing advanced civilization.
   3. The possibility of rule by “fully realized divine human beings” and the concept of achieving immortality in ancient Egypt.
   4. The challenge to the academic establishment’s paradigm, which disregards the possibility of advanced civilizations preceding the accepted timeline.

4. The “Idea Whose Time Has Come”:

   1. Victor Hugo’s quote about ideas whose time has come and the concept of challenging established paradigms.
   2. The idea that the most powerful force in the world is not armies but ideas, especially when those ideas are suppressed.
   3. The need to overcome the “armies” that protect outdated paradigms in order for new knowledge to emerge.
   4. The role of individuals like John Anthony West in challenging established ideas and opening the door for new discoveries.

5. The Mystery of Göbekli Tepe:

   1. The discovery of Göbekli Tepe in Turkey, a massive stone structure dating back 12,000 years, which challenges conventional ideas about early civilization.
   2. The sophisticated design and construction of Göbekli Tepe, including three-dimensional animal carvings, which demonstrates advanced engineering skills.
   3. The resistance of some academics to accept the evidence of Göbekli Tepe and its implications for understanding the past.
   4. The potential for Göbekli Tepe to further validate the existence of a lost civilization.

6. Ancient Construction Methods and Technology:

   1. The distinct differences in construction methods used in older and newer structures in Egypt, pointing to different levels of sophistication and technology.
   2. The massive scale and precision of the pyramids and other structures in Egypt, which defies conventional understanding of ancient technology.
   3. The use of copper tools for carving granite, which raises questions about the level of technological advancement in ancient Egypt.
   4. The possibility of advanced technology that has not been discovered, such as a method of illumination that did not rely on torches.

7. The Pursuit of Immortality:

   1. The central theme of immortality in ancient Egyptian philosophy and its connection to the quest for higher consciousness.
   2. The possibility of achieving a state of consciousness that transcends death, as suggested by ancient Egyptian texts and near-death experiences.
   3. The concept of initiation and the role of sacred spaces in facilitating spiritual transformation and the pursuit of immortality.
   4. The idea that our role as human beings is to achieve immortality, not just as individuals but as a collective consciousness.

8. Near-Death Experiences and Psychedelics:

   1. The growing body of evidence for near-death experiences (NDEs) and their transformative effects on individuals.
   2. The similarities between NDEs and psychedelic experiences, suggesting a possible connection between altered states of consciousness and the pursuit of immortality.
   3. The resistance of some scientists to accept the validity of NDEs and psychedelic experiences, attributing them to hallucinations or brain chemistry.
   4. The potential for NDEs and psychedelics to provide insights into the nature of consciousness and the possibility of an afterlife.

9. The “Church of Progress”:

   1. The critique of mainstream science as a “religion” that prioritizes progress and disregards alternative explanations and spiritual dimensions.
   2. The idea that the “Church of Progress” is characterized by emotional, spiritual, and philosophical emptiness.
   3. The dangers of intellectual arrogance and the resistance to new ideas that challenge established paradigms.
   4. The need for intellectual humility and a willingness to explore alternative perspectives on the nature of reality.

10. The Five Cowboys of the Apocalypse:

    1. The Five Cowboys of the Apocalypse, John Anthony West’s satirical commentary on the dangers of capitalism, patriotism, democracy, technology, and entertainment.
    2. The idea that these forces, while seemingly beneficial, ultimately contribute to human folly and societal decline.
    3. The critique of the flaws inherent in these systems and the need for a more balanced and ethical approach to societal organization.
    4. The potential for these forces to lead to a “dark age” if not carefully managed and balanced.

11. The Role of Ancient Civilizations:

    1. The potential for ancient civilizations, especially Egypt, to have played a pivotal role in shaping human history and culture.
    2. The unique sophistication and mastery of ancient Egyptian architecture, art, and astronomical knowledge, suggesting a level of advancement not fully understood.
    3. The possibility that ancient civilizations may have possessed knowledge and technology that has been lost or obscured over time.
    4. The need for ongoing research and exploration to uncover the hidden truths of the past.

12. The Importance of Egypt:

    1. Egypt as a unique and enigmatic place, with a level of sophistication and mystery unmatched in the ancient world.
    2. The influence of ancient Egypt on Greek and Roman civilizations, suggesting the transmission of knowledge and cultural practices.
    3. The potential for Egypt to hold the key to understanding lost civilizations and the pursuit of immortality.
    4. The importance of visiting Egypt firsthand to experience its power and mystery and challenge conventional understandings.

13. The Possibility of a Lost Civilization:

    1. The growing evidence suggesting the existence of a lost civilization that predates the accepted timelines of human history.
    2. The potential for cataclysmic events, such as meteor impacts or solar outbursts, to have wiped out previous civilizations.
    3. The possibility that remnants of this lost civilization may have survived and passed on knowledge and technology to subsequent civilizations.
    4. The ongoing search for evidence and the potential for a paradigm shift in understanding the history of humanity.

14. The Need for Open-Mindedness and Intellectual Honesty:

    1. The importance of challenging established paradigms and being open to new ideas and evidence.
    2. The dangers of intellectual arrogance and the resistance to alternative explanations and unconventional ideas.
    3. The need for intellectual honesty and a willingness to accept evidence even when it contradicts previously held beliefs.
    4. The potential for a more comprehensive and accurate understanding of human history and the universe through open-minded exploration.

Memorable Quotes:

• “I’m not bitter. I’m just realistic.” – John Anthony West acknowledges the challenges of confronting established paradigms but maintains his conviction.
• “The second strongest thing in the world is an idea whose time has not yet gone.” – West highlights the power of suppressed ideas and the resistance to change.
• “If you want happiness in this crazy world, you do not talk about moonbeams to the blind.” – West compares the resistance to unconventional ideas to explaining concepts to those who are incapable of understanding.
• “The church of progress is the religion of the emotionally defective, spiritually dyslexic, and the philosophically depraved.” – West critiques the limitations of a worldview focused solely on material progress and technological advancement.
• “Egypt is like sex. You can read books about it, you can look at pictures, but until you’ve experienced it, you do not and cannot understand it.” – West emphasizes the importance of experiencing Egypt firsthand to fully grasp its power and mystery.