Saturday, May 16, 2009

Smell an apocalypse? Get thee to Georgia!

This really freaks me out. On a barren knoll in northeastern Georgia there’s a man-made monolith (unveiled in 1980) that’s built to withstand most any disaster. In addition to being an astronomical tool, instructions for rebuilding society after an apocalyptic incident are etched into the stone. Several languages are represented, including a couple of dead ones.

The capstone reads Let these be guidestones to an Age of Reason and the instructions tell us to keep human population at 500,000,000 or lower, pay attention to diversity in reproduction, and create a new worldwide living language, among other things. Buried below the enormous granite monument is a time capsule. And I’m just dying to know what’s in it.

Only one living soul knows what group of people commissioned this work and he’s not talking.

Have any of you lovely southern bloggers seen this thing in person? It’s at once baffling, titillating, and frightening. What do these people know that we don’t? Why would northeastern Georgia be the place to put this massively expensive set of instructions? Could that be the safest place in the world from an apocalyptic standpoint?

Wired has a really great article about it if you’re interested in reading more.

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

THAT is scary! I'll have to read the article about it. Right now I'm in beautiful Central Oregon looking at the snow covered Cascades, so I'll wait until I get home to research such a weird phenominon. Maybe your blog followers will have some info on it by then. Thanks, Christy, your wide-read interests peak others' again!
CAM

Deb Markanton said...

You're not kidding that's freaky. I just finished reading the article and it was fascinating. Right out of a sci-fi movie. Let's hope part two doesn't happen.

Anne Spollen said...

Ohhh, perfect in a freaky way. I have to send this to Son #1 -- right up the Apocalypse Alley.

Cathy Gersich said...

Christy, lets go see it.
Do you have any miles? I'm serious.

Shelli (srjohannes) said...

yes - its wierd! I live in Georgia and I say its the stonehenge of georgia ;) did you know it weighs like 120 tons and like 20 feet tall!

here is a good fact web site:
http://www.thegeorgiaguidestones.com/stones.htm.

Theres a hole you can look through and always see the North star.

If you come, call me I;ll join you. You can even stay here if you like. I dont think you can see it too many times.

It is only about 1.5 hrs from atlanta

Christy Raedeke said...

Shelli - you've seen this thing????? What do people around there think about it? When you're there in person is it pagan flavored or Christian flavored? Is there a hint of New Age?

I'm just so curious about this! I swear, if I had any air miles left I'd be sleeping on your couch next weekend, Shelli!

Cathy - go see it! Maybe you should rethink jobs in Colorado and look in NE Georgia instead...

Graeme Stone said...

I thought you meant SOVIET Georgia. I'm literally nodding off at the computer it's so early/late/nightschedule freaky. But when I wake up, I'm reading this article!

Hardygirl said...

I cannot believe this thing is in the south! I mean, this is the kind of thing that gets fire-bombed down here.

We should all plan some sort of pilgrimage and meet there. Must check all of our Mayan charts and ancient astrological signs and maybe a ouija board. We could dress like druids.

Do you still have the pickled baby? We could offer him/her up as some sort of sacrifice.

You in??

sf

Christy Raedeke said...

Might I suggest December 21, 2012 as the perfect date for our pilgrimage? Mwahahaaaa...

And sign me up for dressing as a druid, fo soh! Tunics? Eunuchs? What else do we need?

Maggie and Bill said...

I'm going to be in Georgia next spring and will have to go take a look at this. It's weirdly fascinating isn't it?

Christy Raedeke said...

Maggie - PLEASE email me after with some details about this place after you visit! I'm so curious!

Maggie and Bill said...

Will do. I will be in Sautee (actually Sautee-Nacoochie, how's that for a name) in April and it's not far from there. Looks like it's worth a side trip.

Shelli (srjohannes) said...

i would say a wierd mix of all that. the writing is kind of modern, it looks very stone-ageish but an alienish feeling. I would also say there is a temple feel - lika buddhist thing or something - maybe the energy. I dont knwo its wierd.

You are welcome anytime. Im sure you'd make a great book out of it. souhnds right up your alley :)