a ‘No black scorpion is falling upon this table’.

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Grasslands are a vital component of the Earth's ecosystems, characterized by vast open spaces with grasses as the dominant vegetation. Their evolution is closely tied to climatic changes and shifts in atmospheric conditions over geological time. Here’s a brief overview of their evolution:

Early Development

1. Pre-Cretaceous Period (before 145 million years ago):

   • Early plant life was dominated by ferns, cycads, and conifers. Grasses had not yet evolved.

2. Cretaceous Period (145–66 million years ago):

   • The first grasses appeared during the late Cretaceous. These early grasses were relatively simple and did not yet form extensive grasslands.

Expansion and Diversification

3. Paleogene Period (66–23 million years ago):

   • During the Paleogene, the climate began to cool and dry, which set the stage for the expansion of grasslands. The emergence of grasslands was linked to the decline of forests and the spread of open environments.

4. Neogene Period (23–2.6 million years ago):

   • Grasslands continued to expand and diversify. This period saw the rise of many grass species and the development of more complex grassland ecosystems. The evolution of large herbivores like horses, which fed on grasses, was also significant during this time.

Modern Grasslands

5. Quaternary Period (2.6 million years ago to present):

   • The Quaternary period has been marked by repeated glaciations and interglacial periods. During glaciations, cooler and drier conditions promoted the spread of grasslands, while warmer interglacial periods saw the expansion of forests.

6. Recent Changes (past few thousand years):

   • Human activities have significantly impacted grasslands, leading to changes in their composition and distribution. Agricultural expansion, deforestation, and urbanization have all altered natural grassland landscapes.

Ecological Importance

• Grasslands play a crucial role in carbon sequestration, soil formation, and supporting biodiversity. They are home to a wide variety of species, including many herbivores and predators.

The evolution of grasslands is a story of adaptation to changing climates and environments. From their early beginnings to their modern forms, grasslands have continuously adapted to the shifting conditions of our planet.

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But after coming to understand, mainly through reducing the incessant chatter of my thoughts through meditation, that there is far more to this reality than my brain could possibly comprehend, I’m beginning to fully believe that reducing reliance on the intellect (at least within some domains) is key to understanding large swaths of existence. I’ve begun to embrace “brain bashing” as a method to understand true reality, much to the chagrin of my fellow materialist academicians

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