The Olympic Torch: So Complex a Caveman Couldn’t Do It

On the contrary, cavemen weren't stupid and had ways of creating fire when needed and carrying it around if necessary.
I object to the assumption that we are necessarilly more intelligent, cavemen could doubtless utilise complex technologies which are beyond most modern day men.
Can you cure hide or make thread, needles, a bow, an arrow which will fly true, a flint tool...?
Their technology was also rugged and repairable or re-makeable...If your PC, mobile phone or car breaks down can you repair or re build it from stuff lying about in your environment?

Oh and Yes I think a primitive torch would be a refreshing change and show that we don't need to consume so much of the worlds resources for such a simple task.
Del <click, argumenative mode dissabled>

At no point was there a reference to the "stupidity" of our ancestors. Their accomplishments led the way for our innovations. There would not be an Olympic Torch had the caveman not developed a creative solution to light the dark world that surrounded them. Regardless, this is an article about the history and technological intricacies of the Olympic Torch, not about an insignificant title as your response indicates. More responses on the CONTENT is much appreciated.

Hmmm, I've obviously missunderstood the purpose of titles all these years.
I didn't mean to be objectionable, but your response doesn't stand up.

this is an article about "the history and technological intricacies of the Olympic Torch.."
Yeah, now that would have been a great title... fewer words too

At no point was there a reference to the "stupidity" of our ancestors.
What?
It's clearly implied in the title that they couldn't do anything complex, or is my understanding of the English language wanting?
Anyhow, I shall tippy toe quietly away, I had no wish to offend.
Del

I'm with you Del on this one. The title of this thread is very demeaning to our ancestors. I expect that ancient modern man (I dislike the term "caveman") was on average more intelligent than today's specimens. They had to be, or they died before breeding. People today equate the ability to regurgitate knowledge that others have found as intelligence. I would expect that, barring disease, most ancient humans could cope with modern society, but most modern humans would quickly die sent to the past.

Oh, and I would like to correct the original author's title, too. This torch is so complex that no single man or woman could ever have built it.

Del, I also concur.

The title doesn't really give a clear indication of the thrust of the article to follow (yeah, I know it's about the Olympic Torch but where do cavemen fit in?) and is unnecessarily dismissive of "cavemen's" abilities, for the reason you and Redfred have stated.

I'd like to explore who we mean by "cavemen":

Fred Flintstone? Neanderthals? Homo Erectus?

There has been a swath of recent research, some of which was posted on CR4, that dispels the myth that Neanderthals were stupid (which is as true as the one about Philistines, as it happens!). I think there was also an article about an earlier human species that wasn't as dumb as we'd like to think they were*

Having said that, it's probably true that cavemen couldn't operate torches...they were too busy hunting aurochs and painting about their triumphs; leaving the cavewomen to work out the intricacies of making, using and maintaining fire

I had to reply - I was bowled over by your correct use of the word "fewer"...it's getting so rare these days

*there's a song in there somewhere

I think the author wasn't demeaning our ancestors as much as putting a spin on Geico's "so easy a caveman could do it" theme. I think it is kind of clever and T1tan01 meant no harm to our ancestors.

Very interesting read. You mention that some have the opportunity to buy one of these things (if you were one of the torch-bearers). How much does one cost? I thought you might know off the top of your head.

Ah! So that will be an American insurance firm advertising on an American TV station.

That would explain why the British contingent didn't get the cultural reference - I googled your comment to find out.

"Ah Yesh, Yesh, Yesh"*

And I think you'll find Del & I had our tongue ever so slightly in our cheeks about the cavemen insults...but not about the irrelevance of cavemen to the Olympic Torch. A joke relating to Ancient Greeks would have been more relevant.

Interesting article though, I agree.

*British insurance ad reference

Good article on the relevance of the Olympic torch Moose.

The great foresightedness of the Greeks to global humanity by way of participation,mutual goodwill and the spirit of fighting adversities- Yes that is the way, humanity had struggled and progressed through all the ages.

*In my opinion the torch relay by regional and inter country conveyance means something very significant and bear a greatness of meaning.

It symbolises Global brotherhood, co operation and collective initiatives to carry on with our struggles, international team spirit without borders and a sense of total humanity. Had if this in depth meaning haunts on a perpetual basis, we could have even avoided the Two major world wars.

*Olympiads in other sectors like art, culture, science , engineering, global problems can also be added attractions.

*The perseverance to excel, compete also motivates the attitude of optimism to improve and prove better next. Other than mere sports it should reflect in all other human activitiesalso.

*The most worthy aspect of Olympics is the neutrality of conduction process and openness of chance to all-Pure merit based evaluation.

My previous boss living in Tsawwassen was selected to carry the torch on Feb 8th. He submitted an article about his many years coaching Rugby in Delta, B.C. I wish I could have been there.

As the Nazis instigated the (relatively) modern version of the Olympic Torch, I personally find it far less than attractive.

It should be got rid of and forgotten completely as far as I am concerned.....

The modern Nazis revere the Torch and Hitler still....UGH!!!!

Any Jewish people reading this, please take note!!!

I have also corrected the title properly.....even though I am sure they could make torches if needed!!

But as anyone knows who has made simple cavemen type torches, they burn out relatively quickly, unless you have a good source of Hydocarbons.......so I would hazard a guess that a caveman would only use them when needed for short periods of illumination......but he probably managed to keep a fire going through the day and night as re-igniting one might take some time.....so he could also light his torches if a 65 million year old Dinosaur decided to pay a visit (unannounced) in the middle of the night!!!

?

Caveman=approx 10,000 to 25,000 bce or so,

Dinosaur, as you explained, is at least 65 my bce,

i think there may be a problem in your timeline.

AG was being sarcastic and referencing back to earlier posts. It was a mildly (sorry Andy!) amusing throwaway line.

'Snot funny now I've had to explain it...

Actually, I was reading from the top down and had not got to any other answers to cavemen and Dinosaurs......I always read from the top down and answer as I go along.....I do believe most of us do it that way.....

You have to be able to take the rough with the smooth!!

From my perspective, this blog entry (including its "caveman" title) is a success. It's not often that a blog entry garners nearly 400 views and almost 20 comments. Yes, we could have changed the title to something innocuous like "The Olympic Flame Burns Brightly" - but such a sentiment probably wouldn't generate such interest.

Nice job, T1tan01.

Apparently I am outnumbered with regards to my title. It was simply an attempt to be humerous and was not meant to be demeaning to our ancestors. I apologize to all who were offended by the title. Thanks to all for the views and comments, it resulted in a successful article.

Note to self and other bloggers: Make sure that if a title is a play off of something you have seen or heard, verify that it is global and not country specific. A mistake I have learned from. Look for more Olympic related blogs to come!

For what it's worth, the title did it for me. Hey, it was clearly tongue in cheek and got the audiance. I've seen a few bloggers being butcherd recently, and it ain't fair. The blogs are an avenue for us all to learn more. Read the blog and do some further research if interested. Attacking the blogee is a bit out of order, they're just giving us the intro - a wee bit of humour in a title is no bad thing. Great write-up, T1tan01, don't let the bas negatives put ya down.

Just came across this statement on Wisegeek and thought I'd add it here on CR4.

"During the world Olympics, the flame used for the Olympic torch is lit using a large parabolic mirror. This parabolic mirror collects ambient sunlight and focuses it to an intensity sufficient to ignite the torch material."