this post was submitted on 27 Oct 2025
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Showerthoughts

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A "Showerthought" is a simple term used to describe the thoughts that pop into your head while you're doing everyday things like taking a shower, driving, or just daydreaming. The most popular seem to be lighthearted clever little truths, hidden in daily life.

Here are some examples to inspire your own showerthoughts:

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I mean, take USA for example, is it even the same country after each amendment? After a Civil War? Civil Rights Movement? Landmark Court Rullings?

One could argue that Modern America began in 1965, with the passing of the Civil Rights Act. Or in 2001 when the Patriot Act was passed. Or in 2009 with Citizens United Court Ruling. Or in January 2017 when... you know. Or in January 2025.

When did the country really start?

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[–] Multiplexer@discuss.tchncs.de 7 points 2 days ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (1 children)

These are actually really interesting examples.

Take Iran:

On the one hand the area where it is located has had organized societies occupying it for an insanely long time.
This would make it one of the oldest countries by this definition.

On the other hand: when asked the question if the current Iran was the same country as back in the 1970's, I would certainly say: "No."
Occupied area and even some of the people might still be the same, but the cultural, societal and governmental characteristics have changed too radically to still be considered the same.
So, by this definition, Iran would be one of the youngest countries.

I think that uncertainty is what OP was getting at:
How much change do we allow to still consider a country the same as at a previous time in history?

[–] Lucky_777@lemmy.world 2 points 1 day ago

That makes sense and I agree with the changes in Iran would make it one of the youngest. Not sure of cultural changes through the AD time period. 3000 BCE is the stat for Iran "beginning", that's a long ass time lol.

I agree though, and it's almost an impossible question to answer because every country has gone through cultural changes.

I would say a better answer would be the Sentinelese people on North Sentinel Island. Untouched culture and isolation from the rest of the modern world for 60k years.