What If Genghis Khan Worked On The Pipeline? Asked By Some Guy

We are in an interesting season of Human history.  Deeply convicted people from every point on the political spectrum believe different things about the reality of right now.  

In regard to history, most of what we individually believe is the result of being persuaded by some guy’s opinion or interpretation of the events of the past. Perhaps it was a textbook, a college professor, a cousin or maybe a YouTube video that helped to shape our distinct belief of the reality of the distant past. (*Reader's note, “some guy” represents a rando guy or gal).  

Mongol leader Genghis Khan died in the year 1227.  Everyone who knew Genghis died long ago, as did their kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids.  The accounts of his conquests have been documented, relayed down through the ages by “some guy” to some other guy and so on, finally to you.  For instance, I don’t know if Genghis really died in 1227, or 1670. I believe he died in 1227, because I believe “some guy” who persuaded me on that date.

Was the “some guy” that I believe, credentialed, edified, and filled to the brim with the integrity of truth? Well, I’m not calling his Alma Mater to get “some guy’s” transcripts. 

Did that “some guy” that I believe do his or her due diligence and compare every piece of historic data possible? I’m not going to Mongolia to examine Yurt Archeology. 

Were any details missing on ”some guy’s” academic journey to learn and relay what they knew about Genghis? It turns out, I don't know how to read ancient Mongolian.  

Did that “some guy” winnow out Mongol empire propaganda of the day, or the propaganda asserted by the following rulers who would alter accounts of Genghis’ actions?  Have the books been cooked somewhere between 1227 and 2025? Maybe.

I can’t know for sure because the reality of human communication about distant events is really always a leap of faith based on how we have been persuaded by “some guy”.  It could be the “some guy” I believe was wrong, and Genghis somehow lived until 1989, when he passed peacefully in McGrath, AK, after many years of working on the pipeline.

The only way I could know better is to personally process all of the data/knoweldge “some guy” learned, and then learn a little more than “some guy” did to inform my own superior opinion.  I’m not gonna.  You probably aren’t either.  Is there a massive difference to my life if I’m wrong about Genghis dying in 1227?  Nope. But, like you, I’d rather not believe something synthetic, either.

"Don’t worry! In 2025 we have A.I. now.", some may say.  Who is informing A.I. about distant history?  You may be surprised to learn that it’s “some guy”.

Much of what we call News is really only recent history.  Shared with us by “some guy”, who believed some other guy. 

In a season that seems divisive (which was preceded by an equally divisive time) perhaps we will all do better to make sure we vet the “some guy” we believe about recent history. No matter what we believe or who persuaded us, we shouldn’t let “some guy” ruin Thanksgiving Dinner with our dear families. 

Diversity of belief can be a beautiful thing.  We simply need to remember that we always likely have more in common than we don’t. We have the ability to nurture what we have in common.  With poise and patience, we can together rise above bickering. Maybe we don’t need to argue with friends, family, and associates because we think they are listening to the wrong “some guy”?  The reality is, we may be listening to the wrong “some guy”. In this strange time, if we find we disagree with a colaborator, an old college friend, or a parent; now might be the best time to have a kind and prolific conversation with people who see things otherwise.

No matter what you believe, if you’ve made it this far, I am now “some guy”. Here at Alaska Means Business, we take our obligation of being “some guy” seriously.  Count on us to do our level best.  

Good luck!

Blake Messer

Alaska Means Business