17 Comments

Having been to part of the land of the Inca, doing what you described was no easy feat. The terrain is mountainous, rugged and fraught with danger. Those of us lucky enough to have visited their lands are indeed fortunate to have had the experience. As for the knowledge that the world has lost because of the wanton killing and destruction throughout the ancient world for ages, cannot be measured. This is just one example of how ingenious people can be when the need is there. And it’s throughout the Americas. For a really eye popping experience, whenever anyone finds themselves in Washington, DC, pay a visit to the Native American Museum. You won’t be disappointed.

Expand full comment

Humans just keep solving problems in incredibly innovative ways, don't they?

Expand full comment

Fascinating blend of ancient information, current implementation, and images to set the imagination on fire. I just found out there is a woman in a local senior care home who was one of the early archaeologists excavating and studying the Incas and Quipu. I am hoping to meet her soon.

Expand full comment

Oh dude. PLEASE let me know what you discover! That could turn into something fun.

Expand full comment

I’d really never thought of the quipus that way before but it makes a lot of sense! I wonder what that type of communication would have evolved into were it not for a certain Spanish conquistador and horses and smallpox. Sadly we’ll never know but it is cool to think of it almost like part of a lineage that carries on

Expand full comment

It's really fascinating stuff to consider!

Expand full comment

How annoyed would a chasqui be to have to run back and forth with my inane comments though?

Expand full comment

Really enjoyed this. The specificity of using the words chasqui and quipu really made it shine for me. Thanks for sharing this interesting part of history.

Expand full comment

Hey, thanks! I'm glad it resonated.

Expand full comment

Whoa

Expand full comment

Strange things afoot at the Circle K!

Expand full comment

Ugh. I want this job. Dammit technology taking all our work!

Expand full comment

Maybe you could get a gig with Uber or Lyft, but only run around dropping off food. Tell them you're an advanced autonomous vehicle and see if that flies!

Expand full comment

Haha you mean carry a big backpack of food running around a city? I don’t hate this idea. Too bad I don’t live in a city where that would make some sense. Oh well. Off to find other ways to get paid for running without any athletic ability.

Expand full comment

Yes! People pay lots of money to others to go through obstacle courses like this (Rucksack, I think). You can flip this on its head and volunteer to deliver the food for free (on foot, of course)! Or, you could even be paid a little for the privilege.

Expand full comment

The quipus reminds me of UUCP, a protocol used in the early days of the ‘Net for moving around email, Usenet news, and other files.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/UUCP

Expand full comment

Excellent analogy.

Expand full comment