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In reality it was like this: Earth was colonized by the…

“In reality it was like this: Earth was colonized by the Zycronites, who developed the ability to travel from one space dimension to another at a period several millennia after the epoch of which we speak. They arrived here eight thousand years ago. They brought a lot of plant seeds with them…” quote by Margaret Atwood
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““In reality it was like this: Earth was colonized by the Zycronites, who developed the ability to travel from one space dimension to another at a period several millennia after the epoch of which we speak. They arrived here eight thousand years ago. They brought a lot of plant seeds with them, which is why we have apples and oranges, not to mention bananas—one look at a banana and you can tell it came from outer space. They also brought animals—horses and dogs and goats and so on. They were the builders of Atlantis. Then they blew themselves up through being too clever. We’re descended from the stragglers.””

Margaret Atwood

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

A speculative myth explains Earth’s flora and fauna as alien gifts, attributing human civilization to extraterrestrial colonizers who later self‑destruct.

In simple terms: Aliens seeded Earth, built Atlantis, then destroyed themselves.

Key Takeaway

Consider the origins of life and civilization.

Themes

myth origin civilization extraterrestrial self‑destruction

Mood

thought‑provoking speculative

Type

literary mythical

When to use this quote

  • creative writing
  • science education
  • philosophical discussion
  • world‑building
  • cultural analysis

Key Concepts

mythology speculative fiction anthropology

Questions to Reflect On

  • What does this myth say about human hubris?
  • How does it shape our view of progress?
A Different Perspective

Lacks scientific evidence; may be taken literally.

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