“Blinded by the Eclipse: How Staring at the Sun Shaped Ancient Societies”
So, apparently staring directly at a solar eclipse isn’t the best idea. Who would’ve thought, right? I mean, it’s not like the sun is a giant ball of fire or anything. But apparently, some ancient civilizations didn’t get the memo and ended up with some serious eye damage. Talk about a case of history repeating itself รข?? literally.
According to a recent study, researchers have found evidence of eye injuries in human remains dating back to prehistoric times. So, basically, our ancestors were out here trying to catch a glimpse of the eclipse like it was the latest episode of their favorite reality show, and ended up with permanent eye damage. Ouch.
But hey, at least we can blame our ancient relatives for the development of mythologies and belief systems surrounding eclipses, right? I mean, if it wasn’t for their reckless staring habits, we wouldn’t have all these cool stories about gods eating the sun or whatever. Thanks, guys.
And let’s not forget about the impact these eclipse-induced eye injuries had on the way ancient civilizations perceived their environment. I can just imagine some poor caveman stumbling around with a black spot in his vision, trying to make sense of the world around him. “Is that a saber-toothed tiger or just a really big rock? Guess I’ll never know.”
But on a more serious note, this study does shed light on the interconnectedness of celestial events and human history. It’s a reminder that even something as seemingly insignificant as staring at an eclipse can have long-lasting effects on our health and perception. So, next time there’s a solar eclipse, maybe invest in some eclipse glasses instead of risking permanent eye damage. Just a thought.
In conclusion, let’s learn from our ancestors’ mistakes and take care of our eyes during the next eclipse. Because let’s face it, we already have enough to worry about without adding “accidentally blinding ourselves” to the list. And who knows, maybe we’ll even avoid developing some weird eclipse-based belief system in the process. But hey, where’s the fun in that?
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Source: The New York Times
URL: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/20/health/total-solar-eclipse-eye-safety.html