Do some people actually benefit from procrastination?

Psychologist Timothy Pychyl referred to procrastination as a “self-inflicted wound”, but can some people benefit from procrastinating habits? Many procrastinators share a similar self-soothing rhetoric, believing they benefit from procrastination because they work better under pressure, however, a study by psychologists Tice and Baumeister found that students who procrastinate tend to have lower overall grades. The reason, they suggest, is due to a mental process called “pondering”.  Pondering is a proactive behavior where a person engages in contemplative slow thought, analyzing various perspectives of a situation, improving our ability to problem-solve immensely. When we procrastinate, we lose the time to ponder which can take a toll on academic performance.

The study also found that procrastinators had significantly higher stress levels and even more instances of illness (Jaffe, 2013). Procrastinators are also affected mentally, often reporting feelings like guilt, dread, shame, and anxiety. So why do we keep procrastinating if it makes us feel so bad?

Why do we procrastinate?

1. Instant Gratification: As humans, we naturally seek pleasure and avoid discomfort (Martin, 2021). This drive makes it easy to fall into the trap of seeking instant gratification, causing us to choose instant rewards, like scrolling social media, over delayed rewards, like finishing an assignment. We choose actions which feel good in the moment despite the decision causing discomfort in the future. Our brain’s dopamine reward system plays a major role in such decisions. Dopamine, released in anticipation for short, pleasurable activities, makes distractions feel more rewarding than tackling a difficult task. In the long-term, giving into instant gratification urges, like procrastination, weakens the dopamine pathways involved with motivation and self-regulation, making it even harder to focus on long-term goals (Martin, 2021). This creates a vicious habit loop where distractions become harder to resist, making us a slave to our dopamine system, ultimately deepening the severity of our procrastination.

2. Fear of Failure and Perfectionism: A majority of students tend to procrastinate due to their perfectionism and/or underlying fear of failure. Perfectionism upholds an ‘all or nothing mindset’, causing the assignment at hand to feel daunting and incredibly intimidating to begin (Novotney, 2010). As a result, we self-sabotage by procrastinating which paradoxically makes it impossible to achieve the standards we set for ourselves. This is not necessarily out of laziness, but rather a protective mechanism at play (Long, 2022). We want to protect ourselves from the feelings of incompetency so we will sabotage our best efforts and potential. This way, failure at the task can be blamed on a lack of effort rather than a lack of ability and competence (Jaffe, 2013).

3. Emotional Regulation: Procrastination is an issue with managing emotions, not time (Jarrett, 2020). We are aware of how much time we need for the assignment and how much time we are wasting through procrastination, yet we continue to delay completing the task. This is because procrastination serves as a way of finding temporary mood-lifters which will drown out the negative emotions, such as boredom, confusion, and frustration, which the task makes us feel. In fact, research has found that when people were made to feel negatively, by watching a sad video, before completing a task, they procrastinated compared to those who felt neutral and tackled the task immediately (Jarrett, 2020). By giving into temporary mood-lifters we build an avoidance habit which perpetuates procrastination.

4. Cognitive Biases: Cognitive biases are essentially thinking errors that warp the way in which we perceive certain situations. Such biases are partially responsible for procrastination as they falsely alter the way we view the task or our own capabilities. For instance, Piers Steel identified that procrastinators tend to view the task as increasing in importance closer to the deadline, when in reality the value of the task remains constant (Jaffe, 2013). This cognitive bias distorts the urgency of the task making procrastination appear reasonable. Another cognitive bias is the false belief that we’ll be more capable and emotionally equipped to handle the task at hand in the future, enforcing procrastination.

How do we overcome procrastination?

1. Break Down Tasks into Manageable Steps: Dividing the task at hand into smaller more manageable steps has been proven to reduce the urge to procrastinate. With this method, instead of thinking of writing an entire essay, you first tackle the introduction. This causes the task to be much less intimidating and anxiety-inducing, as well as providing faster gratification, a sense of achievement and autonomy (Jaffe, 2013).

2. Reassess and Set Realistic Expectations: As established earlier, the pressure of perfectionism and overly grandiose goals usually results in procrastination. To break this cycle, a mindset shift must be made from “I need to do this perfectly.” to “I need to make progress.”. This way, beginning the task is much less discouraging and an imperfect flow of ideas and momentum begins which can be later tailored and perfected. 

3. Pomodoro Technique: The Pomodoro Technique involves studying/working for a set amount of time and then taking a short break, for instance, studying/working for 30 minutes and then taking a 10 minute break. While this may sound too simple, the Pomodoro technique has been found to be incredibly effective in decreasing procrastination, sharpening focus, preventing burnout, and boosting motivation. By having a clear studying/working timeframe, beginning the task is less daunting as a break is already in sight (Scroggs, 2024).

4. Practice Self-Compassion: Professor Michael Wohl found that students who forgave themselves, treated themselves with gentleness and compassion after procrastinating, were less likely to procrastinate on the next task (Jaffe, 2013). By beating ourselves up for procrastination we generate negative emotions which, as mentioned earlier, have been found to fuel further procrastination. By treating ourselves with compassion, forgiveness, and remembering that procrastination is not necessarily due to laziness or a flaw in our personality, we are able to minimize the chances of procrastinating again.

The post The Psychology Behind Procrastination: Why We Delay and How to Overcome It appeared first on The Third Eye.

The students, along with other graduates who began their legal studies before 2021, are experiencing struggles when trying to further their education in Malta. Despite having earned their degrees from University of Essex, they are now being told that additional requirements are necessary, contrary to what had been agreed on previously.

The Faculty of Laws is insisting on students requiring advanced A-levels in Maltese and English, as well as Intermediate certificates, for enrollment in the Master of Advocacy and Master’s in Notarial Studies. The students had previously been assured by the University’s rector, Alfred J. Vella, that they would have the possibility to sit for any needed additional study units, in order to ensure nothing is missing in their education received and to be pursue their studies seamlessly.

The students argue that now requiring the A-levels and Intermediate certificates doesn’t align with what was previously agreed upon, and doesn’t value the education they have received so far. They emphasize that considering their degrees are recognized in Malta as MQF Level 6, they should be able to be able to continue the Master’s program as initially stated.

The situation has escalated to a point where even the Maltese government is aware of the issue, nevertheless, no solutions have been put forward.

Since the Master’s program is a necessary step towards acquiring a legal warrant, the students are insisting on answers from those involved in the matter. They argue that they should not be penalized for pursuing their education abroad, and shouldn’t be going through obstacles based on outdated requirements.

The post Students Perceive Unfair Treatment From Malta’s University Faculty of Law appeared first on The Third Eye.

Written by Martina Farrugia

The term ‘gap year’ evokes fear in parents with many thinking that this year will be spent slacking off and going out everyday. At the other end of the spectrum ‘gap year’ spells freedom for students. Gap years allow students to figure out what they are passionate about and what they want to do with their life.

Having to decide what job to go for as part of your career path is a big decision and one that should not be taken lightly. Therefore, spending a year testing the water is beneficial for students to discover which road to take after graduating. With the mantra of “school, exams, school, exams, job” being repeatedly preached by parents, there could be students who feel rushed into making a decision.

During my gap year, I got my first job. It felt odd working full-time as I was used to the student life with weekends off and Christmas and summer holidays to look forward to. But I got the hang of it. I started out as a customer service agent and while that was not my dream job, it helped me gain work experience. A few months down the line, a content writer position was available within the company. I applied, and got the job.

Working in that post helped me realise what I wanted to do in my life – write. I had found a career path I was passionate about. I was determined to go back to university to start my Communications degree to catch up on more skills and learn the ropes about the industry I hope to join after graduation.

Waving goodbye to my monthly full-time wage was not easy, but I had a clear goal that I wanted to achieve. I learnt new things about myself. What I’m good at, what I like, what I want. All-in-all it was a beneficial gap year. It allowed me to re-enter student life with a different outlook as I was confident and ready to start working towards my future dream.

The post Is a gap year an ace up a student’s sleeve or is it a waste of time? appeared first on The Third Eye.

The curtains are about to fall on my three-year stretch at the University of Malta. And I’m looking forward to graduate later on this year. I embarked on this fruitful journey giving it my best shot. Having had my eye on the Bachelor of Communications (Hons) degree, I took the plunge without looking back.

During 2019, life as we knew it turned topsy-turvy by Covid-19 and I realised it was time to make this dream come true. Does it take a pandemic to change one’s lifestyle? In my case, it did.

What are the challenges mature students have to face? To start with, one needs to open up to various modes of thinking than what one is used to. I call it ‘de-learning’ what one knows and being receptive to innovative ideas. An example of this was when we had a module on digital games. I was apprehensive whether or not I could make it. The last instance I had indulged in a digital game was a couple of times with my kids sweating and shouting over Crash Bandicoot.

I learnt about the benefits of being in a community of gamers. How they bond when under pressure to perform academically. I learnt the positive aspects of gaming such as stress relief, bringing together people with the same interests, the rules of play as well as the growing worldwide industry that gaming is.

In the end I managed to get the credit. The Bachelor of Communications (Hons) study units are extensive. There were modules which I was not interested in to start but then tickled my fancy. I ended up enjoying them immensely. I knew that this degree would expose me to various disciplines. And that’s what I was after.

Another challenge being a mature student is that one has left the formal education system a while back. So getting into the routine and understanding what was going on was quite demanding. I have always sought to further my education but University is a different ball game where an ongoing commitment is a must.

Being somewhat older than the rest of the class, at times I got the feeling I wasn’t part of the community. I started University with the notion that younger mates would gel and form their own groups and would not want to interact with others. I was wrong. The first student who came up to me me was young and was about to change his course of studies. We talked about the various modules we would have to go through. We talked about the hurdles to overcome in order to achieve the ultimate reward. Others were
extremely helpful and the age gap didn’t matter at all.

I cannot not mention the dreaded lectures on Zoom. One has to bear in mind that the cohort that started university in 2019 had to stick to social-distancing rules. Lectures were held online. Masks had to be worn and there was an unexplained fear in the air of contracting some dreaded virus. Not the ideal situation to join an institute of learning. The lecturers at Faculty of Media and Knowledge Sciences did their best, adapting to changing circumstances. I felt for the young freshers who had to go through the first year at Tal-Qroqq under those conditions. The photos illustrating this article show the Campus liking like a ghost quod. On a lighter note, I remember when masks were no longer obligatory. We tended to look at faces without the masks and got an uncanny view of facial features. This also happened when we came physically face to face with the lecturers. They looked pecurial compared to what they looked like on Zoom.

I’d like to express my gratitude to all the lecturers, particularly Prof. Ġorġ Mallia, and thank one and all at the Faculty of Media and Knowledge Sciences. Thanks to my fellow students for the past memorable three years. ‘Once a Bachelor, always a Bachelor’ a lecturer told me once. I’ve kept this truism in mind to help me reach my goal. It’s been one hell of a roller coaster ride which I’m glad I booked.

The post A breath-taking roller-coaster ride – A mature student’s take on life at University appeared first on The Third Eye.

When I was younger, I often felt that something wasn’t quite right. I generally always had a group of friends and places to go, but always ended up leaving unsatisfied. I couldn’t quite put my finger on it back then. I genuinely believed that I had some innate defect and had to get used to this uncomfortable feeling (even with the people I’d consider myself to be “comfortable” with). I felt like a living paradox, I was never able to find a group that was me, and I’ve tried a bunch. Not to say that there were anything wrong with the people themselves but it was a far more personal issue. I never felt that I was enough of anything to be in one group. I never had a niche that made this decision easy. Until this very day,
I’m constantly changing my tastes, attitudes and beliefs. The only difference is that now I see this trait as a blessing in disguise.

One of the biggest advantages of being the odd one out is that it allows you to tap into your strengths and talents in a way that’s true to who you are. It takes a lot of courage and self-reflection to let yourself be free. For me it started with wearing what I felt good in, calling out people when they said something that didn’t align with my values instead of silently agreeing. A lot of the times, people will find this encouraging. Others will be more willing to be themselves if they’re able to see someone else doing it so fearlessly. When you’re not worried about fitting in, you’re free to explore your interests and passions
without fear of judgment. Instead of thinking about what other people like, stop for a second and question – what do you like? Imagine you were being interviewed, would you know how to answer certain questions about yourself? When I first looked into what my interests were, I was shocked to realise how long it took me to articulate each response. I think this is a big reason as to why so many people don’t know what to do with their lives. Sure, there are many who really are unsure but so many are just clouded by the judgment of what others would think if they dared to do what they really wished (including myself). But the fulfilment you feel once you get to that level is seriously unmatched and I dare you to try it.

Of course, being different can be a double-edged sword even if you’ve come to terms with it. There will be times when you feel isolated or uncomfortable in a given situation. But it’s important to remember that everyone feels this way at some point in their lives, even if they’re the most likeable person we know. We all have something that sets us apart from the crowd, and that’s a good thing.

This process takes time and it’s never a completed journey. I encourage you to challenge yourself and consciously do your best to avoid falling into the trap of normalcy. Embrace your quirks even if the people around you don’t seem to find them as interesting. Talk about your passions even if people try to dim your excitement. At some point, you’ll find your tribe, those individuals who get you without any explanation. Those who will listen to you without having to ask. This day might seem far away but with 8 billion people, you shouldn’t lose hope. In the meantime, try learn from the people around you and be open to new ideas. Challenge your own perspectives by comparing them to the masses. If you’re still able to argue for your own view, then you can be sure that it’s how you really feel. And when it all gets too much, know when to give yourself a pat on the back.

Everyone likes to feel seen and validated and those 2 things don’t come easy when being yourself. Check up with yourself and your comfort level, you don’t need to go all out everyday so let yourself take a step back if you feel the need to.

Being the odd one out can be a challenge, but as cliche as it sounds it will one day be your biggest asset. Tap into your strengths and have the courage to do what feels right for you. You might just be surprised at how much you have to offer.

This article was written by an independent writer whose views are not associated with The Third Eye. The Third Eye strives to be the student’s voice, and that entails giving them a platform to voice their opinions.

The post Being the odd one out appeared first on The Third Eye.

A visit to the Inquisitor’s Palace in Birgu is recommended by Heritage Malta, but what does this experience truly offer?

The sun shines exquisitely and the Inquisitor’s Palace’s exterior walls look glamorous, serene and peaceful, yet bastion like, perhaps to shield its illustrious tenants. So far so good. Then, one notices poke marks on the wall caused by shrapnel during the war. Peacefulness is abruptly changed to eeriness.

One wonders what exactly happened on these premises? Presently, it is being advertised as a tourist attraction. The Inquisitor was the decision-maker when it came to converting those who did not follow certain practices or beliefs. Or those who maybe practiced rituals or other notions outside of what was considered ‘the Vatican’s interest in Malta’.

According to Heritage Malta, the Inquisitor’s Palace represents ‘a power-house of the Holy Roman Inquisition that dominates Malta for over 224 years’. One certainly gets a feeling of abundant events taking place inside this location.

Inside the palace – films, showing enactments of what could have happened on these premises wet your appetite to discover more about this cavernous site.  

Artefacts, furniture, costumes and statues are scattered around to depict the past. So one truly goes back in time as one walks and absorbs what is being displayed. In the kitchen, there is an authentic cooking stone, which was used in the past. Amazing how they used to use this stone to create cuisines!

One is subsequently greeted by a majestic set of stairs which leads one to the upper floors. On the ceiling, a beautiful work of art emits a sense of power just by looking at it.

The Inquisitor’s importance can be felt throughout from the litter used to carry the Inquisitor to his luxuriously decorated bedroom. 

A sense of power is felt in the upper rooms of this palace. Also present is a chilling feeling together with various questions as to the procedures that took place many moons ago. Stories are shown in books which are hundreds of years old.

The cherry on the cake is when one visits the lower part of this location. Prison cells, a reservoir for humans’ bodily excretions, a room belonging to the prison officer in charge of implementing discipline to those deemed to be converted are all present.  The tension is all around and one wonders what exactly happened between these walls.

Commitment and resilience are two ingredients which hit you in the face. Commitment from those in cracking the whip, contrasting with resilience from those being held to come clean over their crimes.

The history found here, together with the gripping rooms, make this location truly worth a visit. Thumbs up to Heritage Malta, who have given this location character and a touch of uniqueness. One enjoys an educational and delightful experience by visiting this grand location. More information on this location can be found at the Heritage Malta’s website.

This article was written by a guest writer whose views are not associated with The Third Eye. The Third Eye strives to be the student’s voice, and that entails giving them a platform to voice their opinions.

The post Student Post: The Inquisitor’s Palace – A pleasant location or a house of horrors? appeared first on The Third Eye.

As I sat all ears at a classical music concert I attended recently in Valletta, I was hit like a bolt out of the blue by the captivating beauty of the oboe. I felt as if I had never savoured this sound before. As if I were re-discovering the charm of this sirenic instrument.

The musician playing Albinoni’s concerto morphed into a magician bewitching the audience, and challenging my heart to switch to a slower beat and help me lie back even more.

It’s unreal to think that such a heavenly sound was produced by a human being. The oboe made of wood and metal keys is clear as a bell. Warm and vibrant. I had almost forgotten how alluring the notes it produced were. Going to the opening concert of the Malta International Organ Festival in Valletta triggered a flood of memories.

The experience was even better with my eyes closed. Shutting down all my senses bar hearing. Taking in the elegance and the delicacy. Which brought tears to my eyes, three times. Even though I previously been an oboist myself, I felt a new sensation.

The performance by the soloist reached its peak thanks to a wind section of the orchestra and the acoustics of the Jesuits Church in Merchants Street.

I went to this concert almost accidentally. It was a Saturday and I was still unsure what to do for the day. I ended up booking my seat on impulse. Going to a cultural event on my own could be a good idea, I thought. In fact, it turned out to be a rewarding experience.

If you’d like to hear what an oboe sounds like why not listen to Albinoni’s Oboe Concerto Op. 9 no. 2?

Not having yet discovered the joy of classical music doesn’t mean one cannot enjoy it. Music raises the curtain on joyful vistas. Not to mention spiritual emotions.

The post Student Post: The Captivating Beauty Of The Oboe appeared first on The Third Eye.

When I first stepped foot on the rock, my first emotion was confusion. I was simultaneously
relieved to see something familiar again but also upset because I knew the adventure was
over. It’s difficult to describe, not here or there, not particularly happy or unhappy. It was
simply home. Not that I bound myself to a specific land mass but I was comfortable in the
space I was in and I hadn’t felt such comfort in a long time – for better or for worse. Nothing
can really prepare you I think. We always talk about the prep that moving away involves
but we hardly ever stop to think about how it is to resettle into an area that was once
yours. It’s almost as if you’ve lived 2 different lives. In a place that was once foreign, you
got to create a home, new friends, a routine and as much as you can try to describe it to
your old friends, they’ll never really know what happened there. The same goes for your
new friends abroad. They will never truly understand your old way of life, or even the old
you because you never come back the same, even if you try to.

After the confusion reality hits and anger strikes. Your old routines don’t suffice anymore.
You realise that there are no more wild nights that no one back home will know, no more
spontaneous weekend trips and no more walks without anyone knowing your name.
Naturally, you start to miss the freedom that moving abroad brings. Coming from such a
small island, being in a place where no one knows your aunt, nanna, or cousin is
something huge. You’re always seeing a new face, not just because you’re new to the area
but also because it’s drastically bigger than Malta. The short time span also gives you
some liberties because nothing can be too serious if you’re going to leave after a few
months. It encourages you to be courageous and to live for today because while you were
having so much fun, you knew deep down that it wouldn’t last forever. It’s funny to think
about it now because 4 months sounded like an eternity before, but I can confirm – it is not.

Then at some point, while complaining to everyone how this and that is better than Malta,
your friends finally put you in your place. It’s not without reason though and there have
been surveys proving how most Maltese youths want to move abroad, so it’s not just me
chatting with my friends. For example, the most recent being EY Generate Youth in 2021
and FreeHour’s FutureHour in 2022. According to the latest one, almost 60% of young
people would prefer to live in another European country. Without getting into the nitty-gritty
of this, I get it. Why wouldn’t we want to live in a space with more green and more
opportunities?

In that same breath, I also don’t want to demonise my home. It’s where my best friends
and family live, it’s where I’ve made the most memories, I have my little spots and
favourite restaurants. My home has made me what I am. Sure, I’ve grown a lot in my
travels but the friends I made while I was away loved me for what I was, and what I am is a
19-year-old girl from Malta, with all of my cliché Maltese nuances and habits, such as my
inability to survive in the cold, being fussy with supermarket food and messing up train
times. However, that was fine because it was all new. I know so many people that call
themselves Maltese alongside a hint of shame, but from my experience, everyone that I’ve
met found it cool to meet a person from somewhere a bit unusual. Think about it, how
often do you meet someone from a country with a population of 500,000?

As I settled the anger faded away and turned to gratitude. Not everyone is as lucky as I
was to be able to afford such an experience. Better yet most people don’t get the chance
to meet such an inspiring and motivated bunch. My time in the UK will be something I
cherish for the rest of my life and I’ve only grown since then. My eyes opened to a whole
new realm of opportunities. I didn’t realise how much I had limited myself. Certain careers
were unattainable, travelling in the midst of my degree was supposedly silly too but that
has all changed. I always claimed to be a non-conformist but for once I think I actually feel
like one or maybe I just started to conform to the group I met in the UK.

Coming back home is always bittersweet. However, I have no regrets and have no
intention of dreading home. Although I can’t pack up my life there and bring it all here. I’m
definitely going to implement all the lessons and novelties I’ve picked up along the way.

This article was written by an independent writer whose views are not associated with The Third Eye. The Third Eye strives to be the student’s voice, and that entails giving them a platform to voice their opinions.

The post Coming Back Home appeared first on The Third Eye.

Earlier this year, on the 3rd of May, the constitutional affairs committee proposed to reform
the European Electoral Act, defining common minimum electoral standards and a Unionwide constituency #MajorReform to EU electoral laws!

Transnational list: the what, the why, the what next?

To avoid all the heavy jargon that politics brings with it, this reform would have seen 28 additional MEPs that would be elected on an EU-wide list, but would not substitute for the Member State MEP list. The parameters of this transnational list would also ensure a balanced geographical representation, equal access to ballots with postal voting and gender-balanced lists, as well as a minimum age to stand for said election.

All this was brought forward in the hopes of building a real European public sphere that
would foster essentially political debates on key issues that we as EU citizens face, as well as
the threats that directly impact the Union.

While to some this might simply be pure idealism, the transnational list was also proposed to contribute to the solidification of a truly and democratic European political system. Essentially, we the voters, would have voted for the National list (our 6 Maltese MEPs) and voted for the European list (the one that is made up of said 28 MEPs).

This 2-ballot list is there to address the plethora of political issues, inefficiencies, and the needs of the people.

For the most part, its not uncommon that people do not give a rat’s arse to secondary elections. Can`t quite blame them completely if they do not understand nor feel as close to the EU as they wish. Why would they when Brussels is so far away in their hearts, since most of what goes on is not communicated that well. Then, you have the problem of secondary elections not given as much care, whereby the parties that start gobbling it up are the ones that instead of wanting to better the Union and the lives of its people, they want to cripple it. Our country, like many other EU states, has been faced with the rise of Euroscepticism, Nativist, and Far-Right tendencies. You see this with each EU election. In our very own
country, the ultra-far right party keeps gathering sizeable support.

Now this proposed reform would have given more validity to European elections, would have ensured that MEPs do not succumb to national bias, held accountable by all, and push for stronger European political families in parliament that would all translate into a more democratic parliament and EU.

Drafted Termination

According to the draft conclusion prepared in advance to the upcoming EU leaders gathering, the Council indicated that there was “no unanimity in favour of the European Parliament`s proposal as it stands”. Most of the delegation seemed to be opposed to the key political innovations. The worry is that this undermines “the principle of subsidiarity and proportionality concerning provisions which go in the direction of establishing a uniform procedure in all member states.

Concluding remarks

As citizens we have the duty to listen to the decisions taken by the ones we elect. It is our
duty to hold them accountable and educate ourselves to things that will inherently affect us,
whether we like it or not.

As students we should not shy away from reading, from understanding and whatnot the
realities of the world around us. To not let ourselves be cut off from those realities as we
submerge ourselves in our studies, as that will only dull us.

The intention of this piece was to bring EU Affairs closer to your attention, while hoping to raise awareness for the much needed activism, active citizenship, and EU reformation, for this Christmas, we are most likely going to see the once brightly lit up Spitzenkandidat Christmas tree, effectively getting the axe.

This article was written by an independent writer whose views are not associated with The Third Eye. The Third Eye strives to be the student’s voice, and that entails giving them a platform to voice their opinions.

The post Krampus goes to Brussels? The killing of the Spitzenkandidaten and the transnational list appeared first on The Third Eye.

One such example of backlash against alternative approaches to science is the case of researcher Graham Hancock. Hancock is an author and ex-journalist who’s published 16 books regarding various topics however his main focus has been on recovering humanity’s lost past. He’s been heavily criticised by the Archaeological community and branded a pseudoscientist for going against certain conventionally held beliefs amongst that community. Hancock has risen to popularity through documentaries, his books and many appearances on The Joe Rogan Experience. Hancock has been attacked many times by archaeologists for going against the conventional view by promoting different ideas which are backed up by significant evidence.

The Younger Dryas

The Younger Dryas is an event which Hancock believes links a lot of separate cultures that lived thousands of years ago together. It is the period of geological history situated c. 12,900-11,700 years ago. It marks a period in which the earth was going through very drastic climactic changes and cataclysmic events that shaped the following thousands of years. There are multiple hypotheses as to what caused this Ice Age and what brought it to an end. Hancock believes that it was in fact a comet that struck the Earth via multiple fragments, while others believe it ended due to an enormous solar flare. However, the most important part of The Younger Dryas is the fact that it was a catastrophic and apocalyptic period within the human story.

Göbeklitepe

The mysterious and wonderful nature of Göbeklitepe is that it
comes out of nowhere and destroys the preconceived notion
that agriculture started around 6,000 years ago and that
civilisation before that did not exist. The idea that before 6,000 years ago humans were simple hunter-gatherers is shattered by the discovery of this site. Göbeklitepe is exactly 11,600 years old. This precedes the first known civilisation by about 5,500 years and puts a dent in what we think we know about our prehistory. Hancock makes clear that this structure should not exist. If we are the believe the conventional archaeological knowledge, Göbeklitepe should not show up when it does. This is why Hancock is correct to be sceptical of archaeological knowledge as we really don’t know as much as we think we do. It is the world’s first known structure that is aligned to north and south therefore it means that astronomy was used during the construction of it. Way before we know of any astronomical research being done. Now, imagine having the arrogance to rule out the idea that civilisation flourished before 6,000 years ago and then missing more than 5,000 years of history because the scientific community had
come up against an idea that challenged their paradigms. Hancock has faced many attacks because of his implications regarding this fascinating site.

The Sphinx Water Erosion Hypothesis

Researcher John Anthony West was an avid supporter of the SWEH, as is Hancock. The basic idea is that during a study conducted by Schwaller de Lubicz, it ismentioned that the Sphinx was weathered by rain. By time, West became interested in this and started researching it. Geologist Robert Schoch, who was contacted by West to join research efforts, went into it expecting to disprove West’s idea

and prove him wrong. However, Schoch said on the Joe Rogan experience that within 90 to 120 seconds of seeing the Sphinx for the first time, his perspective flipped. In short, the eroded stone and evidence of great precipitation on the stone of the sphinx’s embankment does not match any climactic records of the past 5,000 years. The only known great rainfall and flooding that happened in Egypt was at the end of the last Ice Age approximately 11,700 years ago. Does that sound familiar? For context, conventional archaeology would tell you that this sphinx is 4,500 years old. Therefore, this is another example of not only how wrong can conventional science be, but also of how much we still do not know about our collective past.

Conclusion

I want to be clear in saying that not every sceptical idea should be believed. Some are fanatical, some are not evidence based. And not everything spouted by the scientific community is false or misleading. However, the truth always lies somewhere in the middle and dismissing the sceptics is exactly what not to do when trying to get closer to the truth.

This article was written by an independent writer whose views are not associated with The Third Eye. The Third Eye strives to be the student’s voice, and that entails giving them a platform to voice their opinions.

The post Listening To Hancock appeared first on The Third Eye.