The Universal Myth: Defining and Finding the Oldest Myths

To find the oldest myths, first you must know what you're looking for, then find the best way to find to find it. This is an introduction into Mythology, and the methods used to find older myths and ways we can reconstruct them.

Jackson Crawford's videos can be found below, and are worth watching;

These are two papers from other academics that will help define a myth;
Bascom, William. 1965. The Forms of Folklore - Prose Narratives. The Journal of American Folklore. Vol.78
Scott Littleton, C. 1965. A two-dimensional scheme for classification of narratives. The Journal of American Folklore. Vol.78

Chapters
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0:00 Introduction
0:42 The Myth Quiz
1:19 Defining Myth
4:25 Religion vs Myth
5:55 The Myth Quiz Answers
8:31 Bascom and Scott Littelton's definitions of myth
10:18 The "Universal" Myth
14:24 Method and Research in Tracing Myths
16:22 Genetics and Phylogentics in Mythological research
20:47 Examples of Tracing Myths
22:30 Further considerations

[whatever]

As a biologist I feel compelled to point out that there is a phenomenon known as 'punctuated equilibrium' where essentially genes (or speciation occurs rapidly) this is typically in response to the opening of many new niches or gaps in which the species can fit sometimes cause by migration to a new place or a mass extinction. So rapid changes in myth in response to specific environmental changes actually makes perfect sense

[_Sme__ne]

As a now former Christian raised in a fundamentalist home it was a long struggle of cognitive dissonance, of square pegs and round holes. Critical thinking and constant doubts as well as always being open to and exposed to different ideas and sources finally got me to a point where I could see that the Bible, while having some facts and some wonderful concepts was also largely legend and myth. Like a broken clock, it might be right twice a day, but I don't use it anymore to tell time.

[venwonvn-o-o]

Your content is one of those that make YouTube worth watching.

[starvein]

I've been making my own world based on real world mythologies for a Dungeons and Dragons campaign, your channel has been endlessly great for my creativity. I wouldn't have looked at mythology and its meaning through a cultural/historical lens if not for your videos and the methodical detail you put in. I put more of a focus on the myth, rather than the intent of the author(s), before doing a deep dive on your content.

[monkeywrench]

I find it fascinating that humans find truths to be subjective. One man's Myth is another man's Legend, and yet another's Religion... no matter how much effort is set out to define what is fact or fiction. Thank you for this contemplation!

[choonbox]

There is a channel called Keimelia who dives deep into Mythology of the Greeks. It is remarkable content. A few days back you asked about other content creators you could collaborate with and I think you two would be a great match for an episode or miniseries about the greeks and their place in the larger indo-european frame.

I've got my cup of tea and I will now watch the video. Thank you for your hard work Crecganford.

[erindurrett]

Myth and the Landscape - yes, please! I so enjoy your teaching - thank you!

[RianHagebeuk]

I love the creative yet rigorous methods! So many different types of information together can tell us so much about what is (somehow fundamentally) human

[kimwarburton]

the thing i love most about myths is the insight it gives into the minds and societies of older cultures. Im fascinated with anything pre-history especially.
I love that im always learning something new with your vids, thankyou

[bobSeigar]

This is the exact subject that helped me find your channel. The point you made about the bible was how I found you actually. The depth of knowledge you share in each video is amazing in quality and highly appreciated. These topics are hard to find quality information on, especially in such a distilled format.

[writerblocks]

Breaking down the categories of literature and how to determine the intentions of the author is a great idea. Looking at any text through the cultural context is necessary or else we are projecting our values on it.

[DJ-tivg]

Fascinating video Crecganford. Thank you for your clear education and explanations. Happy X-mas from Australia 🙃

[timgearinjr]

It amazes me how much you know and can pull together in an entertaining manner ! Chris Hasler, sp, of history of the world is another great explainer of his specialty . Thank you very much.

[wendychavez]

Jon, i love your approach! Ive always been fascinated with different mythologies, and you help me understand why.

[tzvi]

18:30 as a Bioinformatician/statistical geneticist, the converse is also true which is why we use a lot of algorithms that were originally developed for natural language processing in our work too

[juliastrzyga]

Watching your vids is worth every second. I'm so glad I came across your channel on YT. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and knowledge! I would have never otherwise learn so much about myths and scienctific approach to the topic. People like you make internet better place. :)

[MatthewCaunsfield]

The timing of this videos launch was perfect, I watched by while doing the Christmas dinner prep! 👍
See you in 2023 and thanks for all the great content

[joshuaharris]

Proper video simply put! I’m 3 weeks late to the party but I am of the mind the myths, legends, folklore and etc. Are all just a piece of a puzzle looking into past societies and cultures that are “gone”. They are stories of our people, selves, where we have been(culturally, perspectively and ideologically). Impressed by wars, politics and religion. My opinion.

[opalwalker]

When I was a child an adult friend gave me a book of Greek & Roman myths. My mom thought it was a book of fairytales, else she would have thrown it away as being heretical. I still enjoy myths at 78 years old.

[kiminnehalem]

Such a wonderful discussion/explanation. I studied myth and folklore in college 40 years ago and never had it explained as well. I'm in the US and am currently fascinated by the cultural fascination with Sasquatch, Ghost Hunting and Alien Disclosure in general. I'm on the fence about the reality of all these and as science/academic minded personal that, in itself, fascinates Want To Believe!" Humans always need way to make sense of, and invest in, the world around them. Maybe these preoccupations are giving some people a way to connect to something magical and possible in a world that seems really grim at the moment. The "mystery", unknown or unknowable nature of these subjects seem to be a key: leaving an opening for some kind of hopeful, magical/spiritual or emotional investment that isn't possible or appropriate in the everyday world. I'd love to hear your thoughts on these current cultural pre-occupations! Love the show!!! Thank you so much for what you do. Happy Holidays to you!!