Joe Rogan has once again ignited a firestorm of speculation and intrigue with his recent claims concerning the historical existence of giants on Earth. During an episode of The Joe Rogan Experience, featuring TikTok personality Cody Tucker, Rogan articulated a belief that scientists would actively suppress evidence of giant humans, suggesting that any researcher aiming to prove their existence might face grave repercussions. He ominously stated, "They're gonna kill you... the scientists will kill you," referring to the lengths to which he believed the scientific community would go to keep such information hidden.
Rogan's conversation with Tucker harked back to numerous tales throughout history, particularly biblical accounts such as David and Goliath, indicating a long-standing fascination with the notion of colossal humans. While the podcast host acknowledged the possibility of undiscovered races of humans, he expressed strong scepticism about the scientific community's openness to revolutionary findings. Claiming that researchers might choose to conceal discoveries for fear of public backlash, Rogan wonders, “If they found a 10-foot human with a gigantic sword, would they just say 'we're wrong, giants existed'?”
Conspiracy theories surrounding giants are not unique to Rogan. Across various platforms, TikTokers and enthusiasts frequently discuss these colossal beings, asserting they may have had a role in ancient construction projects, such as the pyramids. Some scientists do entertain that fragments of truth might underlie this fascination. For instance, the phenomenon of gigantism is a medical condition that results from abnormal growth hormone levels, exemplified in documented cases like Robert Wadlow, who, at 8 feet 11 inches, remains the tallest human on record.
Viking history adds another layer to this narrative, as Rogan and Tucker noted that the Norsemen were substantially taller than many of their contemporaries. Indeed, historical records suggest that groups such as the Vikings could possess significantly greater average heights due to favourable genetics and nutrition. Archaeological findings have, at times, revealed larger skeletal remains, spurring mythologies around giants, although such remnants often stem from a myriad of factors ranging from malnutrition to a misunderstanding of extant species.
Dr Pavel Grasgruber, a prominent figure in biological research on height, attributes some of the giant mythos to early archaeological interpretations. He highlights the provocative findings in the Grimaldi cave system, where researchers unearthed remains of individuals taller than the average at the time, thus stimulating a narrative of giant humans that persists today. The striking contrast between these early hominins—averaging 5 feet 11 inches—against their contemporaries likely led to embellishments that have become firmly rooted in popular culture.
However, scientific reasoning puts severe limitations on the plausibility of actual giant humans existing as a separate race. The square-cube law, which dictates that as an organism's size increases, its volume grows at a faster rate than its surface area, poses substantial structural challenges for the human body at larger sizes. As detailed by multiple researchers, this law explains why humans could not realistically exist at sizes portrayed in myths without suffering significant health complications, or worse.
While captivating narratives of ancient giants entice the imagination and foster ongoing discussion, the robust scientific consensus maintains that what some interpret as signs of a giant race can often be traced back to misidentifications of extinct megafauna or mere exaggerations of historical anecdote. As contemporary science continues to unearth the mysteries surrounding our ancestors and their physical characteristics, it is essential to tread carefully between legend and reality.
Ultimately, while Rogan taps into a deep vein of historical intrigue—capturing a curious audience hungry for tales of mystery—science remains steadfast in its assertion that claims of giants, as portrayed in myth, are largely unfounded.
Reference Map
- [1] Lead Article
- [2] Insights on gigantism and historical perspectives
- [3] Findings on ancient skeletons and gigantism
- [4] Scientific explanation of human size limitations
- [5] Discussion of real prehistoric creatures, Gigantopithecus
- [7] Historical claims and debunks of giant human skeletons
Source: Noah Wire Services