Talk:Graham Hancock/Archive 6

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Clarification

The following discussion is closed. Please do not modify it. Subsequent comments should be made on the appropriate discussion page. No further edits should be made to this discussion.

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Extended content

1. GH was indirectly, but clearly, accused of various serious things. a. https://www.theguardian.com/science/2022/nov/27/atlantis-lost-civilisation-fake-news-netflix-ancient-apocalypse b. https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2022/nov/23/ancient-apocalypse-is-the-most-dangerous-show-on-netflix c. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/article/2024/jul/01/netflix-ancient-apocalypse-canceled d. https://newrepublic.com/article/169282/right-wing-graham-hancock-netflix-atlantis e. https://hyperallergic.com/791381/why-archaeologists-are-fuming-over-netflixs-ancient-apocalypse-series/ f. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-12-07/experts-say-ancient-apocalypse-netflix-series-is-racist-untrue/101728298 g. https://www.theguardian.com/science/2022/nov/27/atlantis-lost-civilisation-fake-news-netflix-ancient-apocalypse h. https://theconversation.com/with-netflixs-ancient-apocalypse-graham-hancock-has-declared-war-on-archaeologists-194881 i. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-13965425/ancient-APOCALYPSE-comet-Netflix.html 2. I updated the article providing a RS source saying that GH strongly, and in no uncertain terms, rejected such very serious allegations. a. Joe Rogan Experience #2136 - 2:02, 2:08, & 2:19. b. Hancock has strongly rejected allegations that he is a racist, a white supremacist, etc., as well as other defamatory accusations by the SAA Archaeological Record, saying he was "personally hurt badly...wounded badly". . He has also has expressed support for native rights. 3. I was reverted, and then I reverted...twice, which I freely admit was wrong, although an honest mistake. My sincere apologies. 4. I was given an "edit warring" warning on my home page. https://wiki.riteme.site/wiki/User_talk:Bill_the_Cat_7 a. I responded, saying, "I provided an RS, which apparently you didn't agree with. We can discuss it on the talk page should you wish, but I honestly believe you are the one who is "edit warring". Let's take this up on the Talk page. Bill the Cat (talk)" 5. That didn't seem to satisfy User:Hemiauchenia. Instead, the user opened a ticket to the Edit Warring WP site (I can't find the link for this; it may have been deleted), as well as this RS site. a. Note that I said I was willing to discuss it on the Talk Page of GH. a. This might be WP:WikiBullying, but I'm not sure and I'm not claiming that it is. 6. The SAA article claimed that "Hancock’s narrative emboldens extreme voices that misrepresent archaeological knowledge in order to spread false historical narratives that are overtly misogynistic, chauvinistic, racist, and anti-Semitic." a. Most reasonable people would agree that these are strong accusations and defamatory if they are not true. According to GH, these accusations and defamatory statements are very much completely false. 7. I'm NOT suggesting that the article from the SAA be in any way removed or censored. I think it's important. In fact, I think it ought to be expanded to explain what exactly is being claimed and why. However, I maintain that an accurate and equally clear rebuttal in GH's own words, must be included in the article. 8. With the policies linked below, I can provide another RS for GH's full response in his own words (not in WP Voice), to most or all claims leveled against him. Although this discussion should have been explored on GH's Talk Page, my hand has been forced, so I'm engaging here. I can update GH's Talk Page with these points after this has been resolved. a. https://wiki.riteme.site/wiki/Wikipedia:Biographies_of_living_persons b. https://wiki.riteme.site/wiki/Wikipedia:Biographies_of_living_persons#Avoid_self-published_sources 9. I haven't seriously edited WP in a quite a long time (12+ years). Forgive me if I don't have neither the time nor inclination to engage in such matters on a regular basis. I'm just a WP Gnome at this point. Nevertheless, much of the article is a direct attack on GH's theories (pseudo this and pseudo that, etc.). Fair enough, since they are sourced. A direct/indirect attack on GH's character/motivations/implications must be responded to, in his own words, for the sake of neutrality. Simply saying that he doesn't agree, without being allowed to speak for himself, is unacceptable. Thank you. ~~~~ Bill the Cat 7 (talk) 16:48, 19 October 2024 (UTC)

What are you actually suggesting? As far as I can see, the self-published source you've provided can at best support the statement "Hancock denies being a racist or white supremacist". I don't see the point of including this, though, because it's kind of a given that he would make such a denial. Almost everybody denies being racist – especially after they've done something racist. – Joe (talk) 17:25, 19 October 2024 (UTC)

You don't see a point in allowing the person in question to defend himself against obvious defamatory claims? Seriously? If the accusations are true (although WP is not concerned, for good reasons, with "the truth"), they are NOT defamatory, but that's the pertinent question, right? GH should be allowed to respond for purposes of neutrality, even with self-published sources, per self-published sources policies. Bill the Cat 7 (talk) 18:20, 19 October 2024 (UTC)

Of course he can respond. That's got nothing to do with us; we're an encyclopaedia, not a forum for debate. The question is whether adding "Hancock denies being a racist" to our biography is adequately supported by sources (yes) and useful to readers (probably not, because what else would he say?) – Joe (talk) 18:45, 19 October 2024 (UTC)

People saying that "Graham Hancock has promoted ideas of racist origin" is not the same as saying that he has been indirectly, but clearly, accused of being a racist and white supremacist. If you can't understand this basic distinction then you have no business editing Wikipedia. Hemiauchenia (talk) 17:32, 19 October 2024 (UTC)

Well, that seems to me to be clearly hostile and a personal attack, which I find very offensive. Perhaps you should assume good faith. At this point, I think you are engaging in WP:WikiBullying. I would much rather discuss this in a civil manner, but your last statement makes it difficult, although I will continue to engage civilly. Bill the Cat 7 (talk) 18:20, 19 October 2024 (UTC)

I think you should read WP:CIR. Hemiauchenia (talk) 18:25, 19 October 2024 (UTC)

Another passive-agreesive attack. You sure you want to continue along these lines? Bill the Cat 7 (talk) 18:28, 19 October 2024 (UTC)

If you want to take me to WP:ANI to report me, be my guest. Hemiauchenia (talk) 18:29, 19 October 2024 (UTC)

If we are going to include something on Hancock's response, this article from the Express is (surprisingly) a better source. – Joe (talk) 08:05, 20 October 2024 (UTC)

We already says he denies it "Hancock has rejected allegations that he is racist, and has expressed support for native rights.". |Slatersteven (talk) 09:50, 20 October 2024 (UTC)

Oh, right. What are we even talking about here then, Bill the Cat 7? – Joe (talk) 11:38, 20 October 2024 (UTC)

You started this thread, I assume you know. Slatersteven (talk) 11:39, 20 October 2024 (UTC)

Erm, I didn't? – Joe (talk) 11:53, 20 October 2024 (UTC)

Ahh, I saw your ping and thought it was a signature, sorry. Slatersteven (talk) 11:58, 20 October 2024 (UTC)

References

I'm going to need a few days to respond. Please be patient.

Bill the Cat 7 (talk) 15:14, 22 October 2024 (UTC)

I think you should read WP:IDHT. Pretty much nobody either here or at RSN has agreed with you, and at this point it is time for you to WP:DROPTHESTICK. Hemiauchenia (talk) 15:18, 22 October 2024 (UTC)

Is it ok if I was allowed time to respond? Bill the Cat 7 (talk) 15:37, 22 October 2024 (UTC)

Will it actually be a new argument or just the same failed argument restated? Slatersteven (talk) 15:40, 22 October 2024 (UTC)

I'll create a new section (topic), with undoubted reliable sources as well as keeping with WP editing policies, and we can contine from there. Is that fair? Bill the Cat 7 (talk) 15:45, 22 October 2024 (UTC)

For what? Slatersteven (talk) 15:48, 22 October 2024 (UTC)

For GH's response. I think we would all agree that a person is entitled to defend himself against allegations.. Bill the Cat 7 (talk) 15:54, 22 October 2024 (UTC)

We already say he denies it. Slatersteven (talk) 16:14, 22 October 2024 (UTC)

As @Joe Roe said, "...it's kind of a given that he would make such a denial. Almost everybody denies being racist – especially after they've done something racist." (Italics added.) What/why, specifically, does his denial entail? Shouldn't casual readers of this article know that? Nevertheless, I still seriously need a few days to propose a new edit. Please be patient. Bill the Cat 7 (talk) 17:16, 22 October 2024 (UTC)

Then just suggest a text, that is all you need to do. Slatersteven (talk) 10:03, 23 October 2024 (UTC)

The discussion above is closed. Please do not modify it. Subsequent comments should be made on the appropriate discussion page. No further edits should be made to this discussion.

Semi-protected edit request on 22 October 2024

Suggestion to remove reference to pseudoarcheology and pseudoscientific studies in the first paragraph. The citations do not support this information. Cw1983 (talk) 09:02, 22 October 2024 (UTC)

 Not done The terms "pseudoarchaeological" and "pseudoscientific" are used by the cited sourced. Studies are not mentioned in the first paragraph. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Hypnôs (talk • contribs) 09:09, 22 October 2024 (UTC)

This entire article on GH is absurd and politically driven. Not politically driven as in partisan Left/Right politics but in the sense that science and archaeology are very politically driven. Everyone who slanders this guy should forget “pseudoscience” and look up the Scientific Method itself and how it’s used in science itself because GH and his work absolutely fits within the definitions of both. He posits theories, asks questions, and looks at evidence for his claims. He IS a real scientist AND a real journalist. Many people simply have a vested interest in minimizing him and his work. 216.193.154.160 (talk) 11:35, 8 November 2024 (UTC)

Odd, I thought he had said he was not a scientist. Slatersteven (talk) 11:37, 8 November 2024 (UTC)

Coming up with theories and then looking for evidence that suits your theory while discarding evidence that doesn't support it is not the scientific method. It's confirmation bias. D1551D3N7 (talk) 12:02, 8 November 2024 (UTC)

Confirmation bias also exists with the creators of this entry. But it is their personal property. So I suggest a Pro Graham Hancock wiki entry and a Con one clearly marked. Provide the public access to full disclosure and let them make their own decision instead of playing god. Stegowhite (talk) 17:36, 8 November 2024 (UTC)

See WP:FALSEBALANCE. Hypnôs (talk) 17:38, 8 November 2024 (UTC)

Account created in 2009 but only contribution is this post here? Very strange... D1551D3N7 (talk) 19:07, 8 November 2024 (UTC)

70% of people who create accounts never end up making a single edit, see Wikipedia:List_of_Wikipedians_by_number_of_edits#Determination_of_ranking_as_a_percentage. It's not really that remarkable. Hemiauchenia (talk) 01:15, 9 November 2024 (UTC)

Definition of pseudoarcheology as per Wikipedia: SomeCatOnTheInternet (talk) 09:18, 10 November 2024 (UTC)

Pseudoarchaeology (sometimes called fringe or alternative archaeology) consists of attempts to study, interpret, or teach about the subject-matter of archaeology while rejecting, ignoring, or misunderstanding the accepted data-gathering and analytical methods of the discipline. These pseudoscientific interpretations involve the use of artifacts, sites or materials to construct scientifically insubstantial theories to strengthen the pseudoarchaeologists' claims. Methods include exaggeration of evidence, dramatic or romanticized conclusions, use of fallacious arguments, and fabrication of evidence.

Graham Hancock does not properly engage in the scientific method. Instead of looking at evidence first, before putting up a theory, he has a theory and looks for evidence, even though much of what he claims has been disproven exstensively (i.e: the "Bimini-Road", the Sirius-Malta-temple stuff, the entire Antarctica stuff). Instead he looks at old maps (Piri-Reis, Orontius-Phineas), which can't be taken as evidence, as they're full of mistakes (also the Orontius map doesn't even call "Antarctica" Antarctica and instead calls it "Terra Australis", what could that be?), goes to sites that aren't even archeological (Bimini-Road), yet claims they are and says sites are older than established (Gunung Padang, Snake Hill Mound, the Sphinx, etc.). All that is pseudoarcheology. I hope I made clear why he is a pseudoarcheologist.

Also, I've written pretty much the same comment 20 days ago, 'cause someone wanted the exact same. It wasn't true then that Hancock isn't a pseudoarcheologist, nor is it now. SomeCatOnTheInternet (talk) 09:34, 10 November 2024 (UTC)

Also, when did someone argue that he isn't a journalist? That's pretty much all he is, besides being pretty much a fiction author ("Fingerprints of the gods") and someone who holds a degree in sociology. SomeCatOnTheInternet (talk) 09:41, 10 November 2024 (UTC)

Semi-protected edit request on 13 November 2024

Graham Bruce Hancock (born 2 August 1950)[1] is a British writer and investigative journalist who explores theories about ancient civilizations and stories of lost lands. 2605:8D80:564:3EC4:459:4D21:5D46:D424 (talk) 00:53, 13 November 2024 (UTC)

 Not done: Ok, and? Please describe your changes using a "change x to y" format. Thanks. Myrealnamm (💬Let's talk · 📜My work) 01:07, 13 November 2024 (UTC)

@Myrealnamm: I assume that 2605:8D80:* is proposing this as a new lead sentence. But I don't think it's consistent with how reliable sources describe Hancock. – Joe (talk) 06:55, 13 November 2024 (UTC)

Hancock describes himself on his website as a journalist, but the key thing that he doesn't do is to submit his work for review in academic journals. If he did, his theories would not be accepted, so he discusses them on The Joe Rogan Experience instead.--♦IanMacM♦ ^{(talk to me)} 08:03, 13 November 2024 (UTC)

I don't think their lead sentence is "correct", like as you said. The current lead Graham Bruce Hancock (born 2 August 1950) is a British writer who promotes pseudoscientific theories about ancient civilizations and hypothetical lost lands. seems fine. Myrealnamm (💬Let's talk · 📜My work) 20:49, 13 November 2024 (UTC)

Earlier today I wrote a suggestion that a vocabulary error in the article should be corrected. I referred to the use of the word “theories” in a context where the rules of English usage require "conjectures" (or possibly “hypotheses”). Predictably, the suggestion got deleted, with one of those spurious excuses that self-styled Wikipedians like to wheel out in pursuance of their status-anxieties. Wikipedia vandalism does have the merit of taking pressure off bus stops, so perhaps I should look on the bright side. But wouldn't it be more constructive to look up the word “theory” in a dictionary? 92.9.163.67 (talk) 23:12, 28 November 2024 (UTC)

A theory is a formal idea or set of ideas that is intended to explain something.[1] What is the vocabulary error? Hypnôs (talk) 23:21, 28 November 2024 (UTC)

No, that's not quite right. You have just described a hypothesis. If a hypothesis withstands efforts to disprove it, and is not in competition with a more widely supported hypothesis, then it gets upgraded to a theory. So, theories are a subset of hypotheses.

But, as the article points out, most archaeologists assert that the emergence of civilizations can be satisfactory explained without recourse to Mr Hancocks ideas. Hence Mr Hancock's ideas are, at best, just one of the various competing hypotheses that have been offered to explain the archaeological evidence.

The distinction between theory and hypothesis is unambiguous, but I do have to admit the the distinction between hypothesis and “conjecture” is harder to describe. I favour “conjecture” over “hypothesis” for Mr Hancock's ideas because hypotheses are generally formulated in response to observed phenomena, whereas conjecture is concerned with what one might observe or measure if one attempted to do so — and Mr Hancock seems to be exhorting archaeologists to dig in places where they don't currently have many observations (sahara desert, sea floor…).

The phrase “pseudoscientific theories” is internally self-contradictory because if something is pseudoscientific, it cannot be a theory. 92.9.163.67 (talk) 00:26, 29 November 2024 (UTC)

It's verbatim the definition of theory from the Collins dictionary. I even linked it. Hypnôs (talk) 01:28, 29 November 2024 (UTC)

You're describing a very particular understanding of the words "hypothesis" and "theory" which, while quite widespread (but not universal) in science, is not the common definition of either.[2] Wikipedia is written in plain English for a general readership. – Joe (talk) 07:03, 29 November 2024 (UTC)

Wikipedia itself has articles on the words “theory” and “hypothesis”, so there are really no good excuses for other articles using “theory” in sensationalist tabloid newspaper style. English is my first language, but my thoughts are with readers for whom English is a second language.

Moreover, the subject of the article (Graham Hancock) is frequently accused of being pseudoscientific, and those accusations duly get covered in the article, so it's all the more unhelpful to be the using the word “theory” in a sense that totally inverts the way that his critics use it. 92.9.163.67 (talk) 13:18, 29 November 2024 (UTC)

It seems to be that speculation nicely covers what he does, he speculates, often with out real evidence. Slatersteven (talk) 13:22, 29 November 2024 (UTC)

If English is your first language then you'll doubtless agree that if you approached someone on the street and said, "my theory is that you don't need a gym if you have stairs", they're unlikely to respond "ACTUALLY UNTIL YOU MAKE A SYSTEMATIC EFFORT TO DISPROVE IT THAT'S JUST A HYPOTHESIS".

"Speculations" is accurate enough but it doesn't really fit in the sentence we're talking about (... is a British writer who promotes pseudoscientific speculations about ancient civilizations and hypothetical lost lands). – Joe (talk) 13:38, 29 November 2024 (UTC)

Yes, I agree that “speculation” isn't quite ideal for the sentence. I guess it was edited by someone else who recognizes the absurdity of “pseudoscientific theories”, and was looking for a way to avoid the misleading word.

The article describes how archaeologists are exasperated by Mr Hancock's tendency to proceed backwards from conclusions to evidence. But it does not describe casual street conversations about gyms, so you gym example doesn't help. In an article about someone who is widely criticised for presenting conjecture in a way that makes it look superficially like established theory, inverting the meaning of the word “theory” can only cause confusion. Since Wikipedia itself has an article that describes the existence of two diametrically opposite meanings of the word “theory”, it's deeply weird to pick the meaning that's opposite to the one used by Hancock's critics when those critics' criticisms are what makes up the bulk of the article.

The sensible thing is just to use unambiguous wording. 92.9.163.67 (talk) 14:05, 29 November 2024 (UTC)

For the record, using another Wikipedia article as a source on Wikipedia isn't a great argument to make in this case. Harryhenry1 (talk) 06:40, 30 November 2024 (UTC)

}92.9.163.67 makes a good point; in science, "theory" describes a well-supported explanation of related observations; Hancock does not produce anything of that sort. We are using it in this article in the more vernacular sense of "a collection of speculations on a theme"; Hancock does produce these. I would like to see us use a word that describes Hancock's approach unambiguously. "Speculation" does strike me as appropriate; what other possibilities can we suggest? Richard Keatinge (talk) 14:37, 30 November 2024 (UTC)

I've changed to "ideas", which seems like an unobjectionable choice. Hemiauchenia (talk) 15:44, 30 November 2024 (UTC)

Use of The Conversation

I have made a post asking about the use of The Conversation as a source in this article, which can be found here.

All the best, ~ El D. (talk to me) 18:53, 2 December 2024 (UTC)

Tone

The article and particularly first paragraph come across as somewhat passive-aggressive, particularly in the way it critiques Graham Hancock's ideas and presents his work. While it does describe his theories, the tone implies a judgment of their validity in a way that could be seen as dismissive or condescending.

Here are a few examples of passive-aggressive tone in the passage:

1. "Superficially resemble investigative journalism" – The word "superficially" suggests a negative judgment, implying that Hancock's work only appears like investigative journalism but doesn't actually meet the standards.
2. "Lack accuracy, consistency and impartiality" – This could be seen as an indirect way of saying his work is flawed, rather than just stating it outright. The phrase sounds somewhat like a critique meant to undermine credibility without directly confronting the person.
3. "Portrays himself as a culture hero" – The term "culture hero" can come across as sarcastic or mocking, depending on context, as if implying that Hancock is overinflating his significance.
4. "He has not submitted his writings for scholarly peer review" – While this is a factual statement, it could be framed as a way of implying that Hancock's ideas are not valid or credible because they haven't gone through rigorous academic scrutiny.

In summary, while the passage is largely factual, the language used—especially words like "superficially," "lack," and "culture hero"—carry implicit critiques that feel unscholarly and tone heavy. 174.96.158.84 (talk) 06:34, 30 November 2024 (UTC)

The wording is based on the sources used in the article, and it largely reflects the opinions spelled out here. Harryhenry1 (talk) 06:38, 30 November 2024 (UTC)

It's completely reasonable for the article to document the objections that archaeologists have raised to Mr Hancock's ideas, but Wikipedia convention requires that it do so in a neutral tone. I suspect many archaeologists would cringe at the present tone — which reminds me a lot of student politics. A strength of the article is that it quotes Mr Hancock himself on how he differs from evidence-based researchers, so perhaps future editors can build on that. I don't know if Mr Hancock sees himself as a culture hero, but the angry tone of this article will convince his more suggestible readers/viewers that he is one.

It should be sufficient to present him as the author of some imaginative and entertaining conjectures that the scientific community (archaeologists, climatologists, geologists) regard as being outside the scope of evidence-based research. Nothing to get angry about. 92.8.100.143 (talk) 17:09, 30 November 2024 (UTC)

I appreciate your criticism of the tone of these remarks, and if you can find widespread reliable sources that describe him as presenting "imaginative and entertaining conjectures" I suppose we could consider doing so. (However large his book royalty figures and his Netflix revenue may be, they aren't RS for this point of view.) Alongside, of course, the present consensus of the reality-based community, for which the present tone of the article is bang on target. Richard Keatinge (talk) 18:45, 30 November 2024 (UTC)

I definitely agree on point 4. Hancock is qualified as and had a career as a journalist. Stating that He has not submitted his writings for scholarly peer review feels like it implies he should have which is somewhat odd. We do not make the same statement about other journalists pages I have read.

P.S. for the IP editors in this thread, I would suggest that you got accounts. I know we claim that IP editors are human too, but the last time an editor with an account actually took that seriously, Nupedia was still a thing... Editors will just assume that you are all the same person, and tend not to take your view into account when determining consensus. Also, if you have a track record of making constructive changes and having constructive discussions, you will be able to edit semi-protected pages like this.

I'd suggest also asking any questions you may have at the Teahouse. The rules can be confusing and experienced editors can come across as terse for new users, but when you get to know us I promise we don't bite.

All the best, ~ El D. (talk to me) 17:38, 2 December 2024 (UTC)

Well if he wants to make scientific claims that is what he needs to do to be taken seriously. Slatersteven (talk) 17:44, 2 December 2024 (UTC)

I am unaware of any scientific claims he makes. He makes a series of historical claims, but in most context, history is regarded as a humanity, not a science.

Pedantry aside, I think it is an odd contrast with e.g. George Monbiot, who has also (to my knowledge) never submitted his writings for scholarly peer review. But I think (and I hope you would agree) it would be absurd to make that statement on George Monbiot's page as his works are based off interviewing and reporting on the works of scientists and other academics, not being an academic himself. Hancock also describes himself as a journalist (which I think is reasonable, given that is his career experience and qualifications) and interviews people who have submitted papers for peer review (with mixed success). ~ El D. (talk to me) 18:48, 2 December 2024 (UTC)

I would also ask the question of "taken seriously" by whom? He is clearly taken seriously by a large proportion of the general public, which is who journalistic publications are directed at. He is not taken seriously by the archaeological community, but I don't think he has ever aimed to be. Certainly if he wanted to be, he would need to publish academically, but an academic community is not generally who journalistic publications and and trade non-fiction are aimed at. ~ El D. (talk to me) 18:51, 2 December 2024 (UTC)

Does Hancock interview and base his findings only on interviews with respected experts? It seems to me that he in fact it at loggerheads with them. Slatersteven (talk) 18:55, 2 December 2024 (UTC)

To take a sample from Ancient Apocalypse episodes 1 - 3, Graham interviews:

• Ali Akbar
• Danny Hilman Natawidjaja
• Geoffrey McCafferty
• Marco M. Vigato
• Katya Stroud
• Anton Mifsud
• Lenie Reedijk

Of those, only Marco M. Vigato and Lenie Reedijk do not have 'writings submitted for peer review' with respect to the article being discussed. Now, whether they are respected experts (I believe the archeological community has differing views from interviewee to interviewee) is not really my issue here. ~ El D. (talk to me) 20:41, 2 December 2024 (UTC)

You misunderstand, does he only interview them? Slatersteven (talk) 20:44, 2 December 2024 (UTC)

That is an exhaustive list of interviewees in Ancient Apocalypse episodes 1 - 3 (unless I have missed one he interviewed briefly). Sorry if that was unclear. ~ El D. (talk to me) 21:31, 2 December 2024 (UTC)

The question was how does he use them, not if he did them? Does he form opinions only after being told by experts, or does he form them and then interview people who agree with him? Slatersteven (talk) 09:50, 3 December 2024 (UTC)

I think it is plain to see that he came to Ancient Apocalypse with an perspective, but does coming to a story with an perspective disqualify you from being a journalist? To return to George Monbiot as an example, I think he comes to stories with an environmentalist perspective, but that does not mean that he isn't a journalist?

To answer the second part, he doesn't just interview people he agrees with, Stroud disagrees with him, and while McCafferty doesn't appear to have said anything about Ancient Apocalypse since it aired, I don't think he believes in a lost globe spanning civilisation.

But I think this is rather besides the point. Graham does not do original archaeological research, he does not get out a trowel and start digging in the dirt, and claim to have found something. He speaks to people who have done archaeological research and then, in the most part, submitted their papers for peer review, and draws conclusions from them.

Best wishes, ~ El D. (talk to me) 14:28, 3 December 2024 (UTC)

Does he base his conclusion on what they say, or does he come by them despite what they say, as it seems to me that the archeological consensus is against him? So does he in fact just accept what the experts tell him, or does he in fact inject his own opinions?Slatersteven (talk) 15:49, 3 December 2024 (UTC)

Hancock is not really a journalist in the normal sense of how that term is understood, but a writer in the paranormal milieu/zeitgeist. Claims of psychic powers including the ability to levitate rocks as well as contacting spiritual beings via hallucinogenic plants is so outside the realm of science and more akin to the claims of someone like Helena Blavatsky that I understand why some scholars of anthropology and new religions have pushed back against the pseudoscience label when referring to Hancock. Hemiauchenia (talk) 19:36, 2 December 2024 (UTC)

Perhaps the term writer would be more applicable (obviously not to his background as co-editor of The New Internationalist or his time as East Africa correspondent for The Economist). I do agree that as he doesn't claim to be an archaeologist and certainly makes no pretence of being a scientists, saying he is a pseudo-scientist would be rather strange. Best wishes, ~ El D. (talk to me) 20:44, 2 December 2024 (UTC)

I think the argument is that Hancock tries to legitimise his effectively religious claims using cherry picked scientific research, which is what makes it pseudoscientific. Hemiauchenia (talk) 21:00, 2 December 2024 (UTC)

I've put in an inter library loan request for the Nova Religio article (apparently Wikipedia's library doesn't have it, nor my university's, nor my friend's university, which raises questions in my mind about how popular Nova Religio is, but that's by the by) and I'll get back to you once I've read it. Best wishes, ~ El D. (talk to me) 14:30, 3 December 2024 (UTC)

I have access to Hammer and Swartz (2024)'s Nova Religio article. I do need to make time to read my copy of it. Paul H. (talk) 16:41, 3 December 2024 (UTC)

It's freely available on the Wikipedia library through MUSE. [3] The source isn't really interested in "debunking" Hancock, but takes a similar perspective to Jeb Card in portraying Hancock as a mythographer. Hemiauchenia (talk) 16:53, 3 December 2024 (UTC)

Semi-protected edit request on 18 December 2024

Graham Bruce Hancock (born 2 August 1950)[1] is a British writer who promotes a further investigation into an ancient civilization. [4] Hancock proposes that a civilization existed during the last Ice Age possessing technology, in regards to their knowledge of astronomy, magalithic stone work, geography and sea travel. Most of this civilizations progress was destroyed following comet impacts around 12,900 years ago, at the onset of the Younger Dryas. He speculates that survivors of this cataclysm passed on their knowledge to primitive hunter-gatherers around the world, giving rise to all the earliest known civilizations 2001:56A:7113:9F00:256B:54B7:B584:F392 (talk) 17:33, 18 December 2024 (UTC)

See all the talk page comments already about this. Slatersteven (talk) 17:39, 18 December 2024 (UTC)