Laird Scranton on China's Cosmological Prehistory - September 27, 2014

In this episode of *Where Did The Road Go?*, host Soraya welcomes back Laird Scranton to discuss his latest book, *China's Cosmological Prehistory: The Sophisticated Science Encoded in Civilization's Earliest Symbols*. Scranton, an independent software designer and researcher of ancient myth and cosmology, presents a groundbreaking theory that ancient civilizations—including the Dogon of Mali, ancient Egypt, Tibet, and China—shared a common, sophisticated cosmological tradition rooted in symbolic language and science. He argues that linguistic parallels, particularly in pronunciation and multiple meanings of words, reveal a deep, interconnected knowledge system predating written history. Scranton connects these symbols to modern scientific concepts like string theory, the holographic universe, and quantum mechanics, suggesting that ancient myths encoded advanced cosmological understanding. He also explores the idea of a non-material, non-human source of knowledge, possibly linked to Sirius, and discusses how this tradition may have been preserved through encoded myths, especially in China due to cultural instability. The conversation touches on synchronicity, the role of perception in reality, and the personal, almost mystical experiences Scranton has had while researching these ideas. The episode concludes with anticipation for his upcoming books, *Point of Origin* and *The Overthrown Boat*, and his presentation at the Paradigm Symposium. Key takeaways include: (1) Ancient symbols and languages across cultures share deep structural and phonetic similarities, pointing to a common prehistoric knowledge system; (2) The concept of 'as above, so below' is not metaphorical but a literal cosmological mapping between microcosm and macrocosm; (3) Ancient myths may encode scientific truths about the universe, including quantum mechanics and cosmological cycles; (4) Perception plays a fundamental role in creating physical reality, aligning with quantum theory; (5) Synchronicities and personal coincidences are not random but may be evidence of a deeper, interconnected reality; (6) The Dogon, Egyptian, and Chinese traditions all point to a non-material source of knowledge that influenced civilization; (7) The 'wellfield' system and mulberry tree symbolism reveal advanced land management and scientific principles encoded in culture; (8) The I Ching and other ancient texts are not just philosophical tools but encoded scientific models based on phonemic meaning.