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===Early civilization and Forerunner involvement=== | ===Early civilization and Forerunner involvement=== | ||
{{Main|Prehistoric human civilization}} | {{Main|Prehistoric human civilization|Erde-Tyrene civilization}} | ||
Humanity achieved an advanced state early in its history, well over [[1,100,000 BCE]],<ref>'''Halo: Silentium''', ''pages 67-68''</ref> when their earliest, long-forgotten cultures attained space travel and spread across many worlds. The latest of these early civilizations, having risen to power around [[150,000 BCE]] after a series of technological dark ages,<ref>'''Halo: Primordium''', ''page 237-238''</ref> eventually reached a level of technological sophistication close to that of the [[Forerunner]]s. Humanity resented Forerunner dominion over the galaxy, and as a result expanded their civilization outward along the [[Orion Arm]] and across the galactic margin, away from the Forerunners' sphere of influence. This civilization formed [[Human-San 'Shyuum alliance|an alliance]] with the [[San 'Shyuum]] and later [[Human-Flood war|warred against]] the nascent [[Flood]]. While humanity lost a third of their population, the Flood was eventually driven out of the galaxy. However, the conflict led to [[Human-Forerunner war|a war with the Forerunners]], a war which humanity lost. As punishment, the humans were stripped of their technology, nearly all evidence of their civilization was erased from the galaxy, and the scattered remnants of their species were exiled to their homeworld, reduced to a pre-technological state from which they would be forced to start again.<ref name="cryptum"/> | Humanity achieved an advanced state early in its history, well over [[1,100,000 BCE]],<ref>'''Halo: Silentium''', ''pages 67-68''</ref> when their earliest, long-forgotten cultures attained space travel and spread across many worlds. The latest of these early civilizations, having risen to power around [[150,000 BCE]] after a series of technological dark ages,<ref>'''Halo: Primordium''', ''page 237-238''</ref> eventually reached a level of technological sophistication close to that of the [[Forerunner]]s. Humanity resented Forerunner dominion over the galaxy, and as a result expanded their civilization outward along the [[Orion Arm]] and across the galactic margin, away from the Forerunners' sphere of influence. This civilization formed [[Human-San 'Shyuum alliance|an alliance]] with the [[San 'Shyuum]] and later [[Human-Flood war|warred against]] the nascent [[Flood]]. While humanity lost a third of their population, the Flood was eventually driven out of the galaxy. However, the conflict led to [[Human-Forerunner war|a war with the Forerunners]], a war which humanity lost. As punishment, the humans were stripped of their technology, nearly all evidence of their civilization was erased from the galaxy, and the scattered remnants of their species were exiled to their homeworld, reduced to a pre-technological state from which they would be forced to start again.<ref name="cryptum"/> | ||
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==Culture== | ==Culture== | ||
On a superficial level, human culture has changed little since the 21st century. As before, humanity remains multicultural amongst its still marginally independent [[national government|nations]] on both [[Earth]] and the [[human colonies|colonies]], although on the whole it has been heavily influenced from what was once thought of as [[Wikipedia:Western culture|Western culture]]. The United Nations Space Command, in particular, draws heavily from the former [[Wikipedia:United States|United States of America]] in terms of military practices and tradition, combined with the continued adoption of [[English]] as humanity's ''lingua franca'', although [[:Category:Languages|other languages]] remain in use among human populations. Humans | [[File:Commissioning-1.jpg|thumb|250px|Humans gathered in the commissioning ceremony of the {{UNSCShip|Infinity}}.]] | ||
On a superficial level, human culture has changed little since the 21st century. As before, humanity remains multicultural amongst its still marginally independent [[national government|nations]] on both [[Earth]] and the [[human colonies|colonies]], although on the whole it has been heavily influenced from what was once thought of as [[Wikipedia:Western culture|Western culture]]. The United Nations Space Command, in particular, draws heavily from the former [[Wikipedia:United States|United States of America]] in terms of military practices and tradition, combined with the continued adoption of [[English]] as humanity's ''lingua franca'', although [[:Category:Languages|other languages]] remain in use among human populations. There is virtually no segregation or discrimination evident among humanity on the basis of sex or ethnic group; males and females, for example, serve in the military in an equal capacity. Humans continue to practice a number of [[religion]]s, although apart from several exceptions faith is largely considered a personal matter. Several cultural phenomena have emerged following the 21st century, including the prevalent [[flip music]], the [[styllight]] musical instrument, and [[Cosmic Commedia Cooperative]], a form of 25th-century absurdist theater. | |||
Much like the cultural changes wrought by the colonization of the Earth in the past, space colonization has its own unpredictable effects on the cultures of colonial populations. While some colony worlds are multicultural from the beginning, others receive the majority of their colonists from a given region or nation on Earth, which often makes its own mark on the development of the colony's own culture. As populations settle new worlds, cultures distort and sometimes amalgamate; however, it is common for the locals to consciously hold on to their Earth cultural heritage. This often takes the form of naming the colony world's locales after the native region or local mythology of its inhabitants. Examples of such worlds include [[Reach]], colonized by Hungarian settlers, [[Madrigal]], with its predominantly Hispanic population, or [[Harvest]], which fashioned its culture after the [[URNA|American]]-[[Scandinavia]]n ancestry of the majority of its colonists. Over time, colonial cultures tend to retain several very conspicuous traits of their roots while others are forgotten or altered; cultures essentially become "parodies" of what they used to be.<ref>'''Halo: Mortal Dictata''', ''page 13''</ref> Meanwhile, many of the Outer Colonies, especially those with settlers from highly varied and unregulated backgrounds,<ref name="history">'''Halo: Evolutions''', "The Impossible Life and the Possible Death of Preston J. Cole", ''page 428-429''</ref> appear as more chaotic hodgepodges of cultures with no single distinct origin culture in evidence. This has become all the more pronounced on independent worlds such as [[Venezia]] after the Human-Covenant War as former client species of the Covenant intermingle with the local human populations.<ref>'''Halo: Mortal Dictata'''</ref> | |||
The UNSC's predominance casts a distinct air of militarism on most of humanity; military service and heroism are glorified to great lengths by UNSC propaganda, as well as the media. While the press evidently enjoys some degree of freedom,<ref>'''[[Noble Team performance reports]]''' — ''Emile-A239''</ref> the media is heavily regulated by [[Office of Naval Intelligence#Section Two|ONI's Section II]]. The UNSC adopted its policy media control after the [[Inner Colony Wars]], when sensationalist news reports of the conflict spread mass panic and threatened to dismantle Earth's culture.<ref>'''[[Halo Graphic Novel]]''', ''[[Second Sunrise Over New Mombasa]]''</ref> This aspect of humanity strengthened with the UNSC's establishment as humanity's emergency government and the unfolding of the Human-Covenant War, and shows little signs of fading following the end of the war. These practices, combined with the UNSC's policy with the colonies, have elicited accusations of totalitarianism in elements of the population, and are often pointed out by [[Insurrectionist|colonial secessionists]] in their own propaganda. | The UNSC's predominance casts a distinct air of militarism on most of humanity; military service and heroism are glorified to great lengths by UNSC propaganda, as well as the media. While the press evidently enjoys some degree of freedom,<ref>'''[[Noble Team performance reports]]''' — ''Emile-A239''</ref> the media is heavily regulated by [[Office of Naval Intelligence#Section Two|ONI's Section II]]. The UNSC adopted its policy media control after the [[Inner Colony Wars]], when sensationalist news reports of the conflict spread mass panic and threatened to dismantle Earth's culture.<ref>'''[[Halo Graphic Novel]]''', ''[[Second Sunrise Over New Mombasa]]''</ref> This aspect of humanity strengthened with the UNSC's establishment as humanity's emergency government and the unfolding of the Human-Covenant War, and shows little signs of fading following the end of the war. These practices, combined with the UNSC's policy with the colonies, have elicited accusations of totalitarianism in elements of the population, and are often pointed out by [[Insurrectionist|colonial secessionists]] in their own propaganda. | ||
==Homeworld and colonies== | ==Homeworld and colonies== | ||
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In early stages, human technology and knowledge advanced through simple trial and error in an inefficient manner, hampering faster progress. Although humans had developed writing very early on in their history, it was not until the invention of printing that information and ideas could be mass-communicated in an effective manner. The development of the scientific method in later conjunction with improved and more efficient capitalistic resource management techniques during the lessons of the [[Wikipedia:Industrial Revolution|Industrial Revolution]] resulted in stark accelerations in the development of technologies and the acquisition of knowledge. New technologies were experimented and explored with advanced knowledge of underlying principles as talented individuals were better organized and better supplied, allowing extremely accurate and fast improvements to be made with minimized trials and costs. Such methods of thought and organization are a hallmark of humanity which differs from the Covenant who, lacking proper researching methods, would simply copy and reverse-engineer technology from ancient Forerunner artifacts via the [[Huragok]], whilst generally having no understanding of the underlying concepts themselves. Thus it it was said that the Covenant are "imitative" while the humans are "innovative" as the war progressed.<ref>'''Halo: The Flood''', ''page 132''</ref> | In early stages, human technology and knowledge advanced through simple trial and error in an inefficient manner, hampering faster progress. Although humans had developed writing very early on in their history, it was not until the invention of printing that information and ideas could be mass-communicated in an effective manner. The development of the scientific method in later conjunction with improved and more efficient capitalistic resource management techniques during the lessons of the [[Wikipedia:Industrial Revolution|Industrial Revolution]] resulted in stark accelerations in the development of technologies and the acquisition of knowledge. New technologies were experimented and explored with advanced knowledge of underlying principles as talented individuals were better organized and better supplied, allowing extremely accurate and fast improvements to be made with minimized trials and costs. Such methods of thought and organization are a hallmark of humanity which differs from the Covenant who, lacking proper researching methods, would simply copy and reverse-engineer technology from ancient Forerunner artifacts via the [[Huragok]], whilst generally having no understanding of the underlying concepts themselves. Thus it it was said that the Covenant are "imitative" while the humans are "innovative" as the war progressed.<ref>'''Halo: The Flood''', ''page 132''</ref> | ||
By the 26th century, human technology has not advanced equally for every concept previously explored. The most basic technologies (such as the ballistic weaponry and the wheel) have undergone few principal changes, the explanation for this being their proven reliability over centuries of use. The technology worked and so did not require heavy alteration or major changes. However, certain significant advancements have been made in other fields, such as [[Shaw-Fujikawa Translight Engine]]s that allow ships to reach other star systems, as well as the creation of highly sophisticated [[Artificial intelligence|AI]]s that can serve to fulfill a versatile amount of roles. In addition, humans have also developed various forms of [[nanotechnology]] which allows many advances impossible with conventional engineering. | By the 26th century, human technology has not advanced equally for every concept previously explored. The most basic technologies (such as the ballistic weaponry and the wheel) have undergone few principal changes, the explanation for this being their proven reliability over centuries of use. The technology worked and so did not require heavy alteration or major changes. However, certain significant advancements have been made in other fields, such as [[Shaw-Fujikawa Translight Engine]]s that allow ships to reach other star systems, as well as the creation of highly sophisticated [[Artificial intelligence|AI]]s that can serve to fulfill a versatile amount of roles. In addition, humans have also developed various forms of [[nanotechnology]] which allows many advances impossible with conventional engineering. Other common construction materials include [[polycrete]], [[permacrete]] and [[instacrete]]. | ||
Human technology has undergone further advancements as a result of the reverse-engineering of Covenant and Forerunner technologies at the close and aftermath of the Human-Covenant War. These include, among other things, significant improvements in slipspace navigation and velocity as well as improved offensive and defensive weapons technologies, such as the more widespread adoption of [[energy shielding]].<ref name="glasslands"/><ref name="halo4"/> | Human technology has undergone further advancements as a result of the reverse-engineering of Covenant and Forerunner technologies at the close and aftermath of the Human-Covenant War. These include, among other things, significant improvements in slipspace navigation and velocity as well as improved offensive and defensive weapons technologies, such as the more widespread adoption of [[energy shielding]].<ref name="glasslands"/><ref name="halo4"/> | ||
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===Medical advances and biotechnology=== | ===Medical advances and biotechnology=== | ||
Humanity has mastered a number of medical technologies, improving the quality of life in general but also providing many military applications. Among the most prominent is [[flash cloning]], which allows the re-growth of almost any body part and is often used to replace damaged or lost organs.<ref>'''Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe''', ''"The Impossible Life and the Possible Death of Preston J. Cole"'', ''page 461''</ref> Lost limbs may also be replaced with advanced [[artificial limb|mechanical prosthetics]].<ref>'''Halo: Contact Harvest''', ''page 81''</ref> Humans have been effectively immunized against some conventional diseases, such as [[cancer]]. Though isolated cases of cancer still occur, they can be easily treated.<ref name="midlothian">'''Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe''',''"[[Midnight in the Heart of Midlothian]]"''</ref> On long slipspace voyages, humans use [[cryo chamber]]s, allowing the occupant to enter [[cryonics|cryonic suspension]] which effectively stops biological aging for the duration of the journey. These and many more advances have continued to push human longevity beyond prior estimates; with flash-cloned organ transplants, coupled with time spent in cryosleep, one's biological age may be decades less than their chronological one.<ref>'''Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe''',''"The Impossible Life and the Possible Death of Preston J. Cole"'', ''pages 485-486''</ref> | Humanity has mastered a number of medical technologies, improving the quality of life in general but also providing many military applications. Among the most prominent is [[flash cloning]], which allows the re-growth of almost any body part and is often used to replace damaged or lost organs.<ref>'''Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe''', ''"The Impossible Life and the Possible Death of Preston J. Cole"'', ''page 461''</ref> Lost limbs may also be replaced with advanced [[artificial limb|mechanical prosthetics]].<ref>'''Halo: Contact Harvest''', ''page 81''</ref> Humans have been effectively immunized against some conventional diseases, such as [[cancer]]. Though isolated cases of cancer still occur, they can be easily treated.<ref name="midlothian">'''Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe''',''"[[Midnight in the Heart of Midlothian]]"''</ref> Medical science has resolved most issues with eyesight, although some people choose to wear glasses for a variety of reasons, among them the ability to use them to project a [[heads-up display]].<ref>[https://blogs.halowaypoint.com/en-us/blogs/headlines/posts/the-halo-bulletin-4-16-14 '''Halo Waypoint''': ''The Halo Bulletin: 4.16.14'']</ref> | ||
On long slipspace voyages, humans use [[cryo chamber]]s, allowing the occupant to enter [[cryonics|cryonic suspension]] which effectively stops biological aging for the duration of the journey. These and many more advances have continued to push human longevity beyond prior estimates; with flash-cloned organ transplants, coupled with time spent in cryosleep, one's biological age may be decades less than their chronological one.<ref>'''Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe''',''"The Impossible Life and the Possible Death of Preston J. Cole"'', ''pages 485-486''</ref> | |||
The use of [[sterile field generator]]s means that surgery is not only safer to perform, with a greatly reduced risk of infection, but is also able to be performed in the field. Even critical injuries can be treated with relatively limited facilities;<ref>'''Halo: First Strike''', ''page 140 (2003 edition)''</ref> with sufficiently sophisticated equipment such as that of the {{UNSCShip|Hopeful}}, the resuscitation of individuals traditionally considered dead is not unheard of.<ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 97''</ref> Biological death can also be delayed by placing an individual into cryonic suspension until proper medical care can be provided.<ref>'''Halo: The Fall of Reach''', ''page 329 (2001 edition)''</ref> A number of synthetic compounds have been developed to allow more rapid recovery from injuries or to ease the treatment of patients in general; these include [[biofoam]], [[bone-knitting polymer]], and [[polymerized hemoglobin]]. | The use of [[sterile field generator]]s means that surgery is not only safer to perform, with a greatly reduced risk of infection, but is also able to be performed in the field. Even critical injuries can be treated with relatively limited facilities;<ref>'''Halo: First Strike''', ''page 140 (2003 edition)''</ref> with sufficiently sophisticated equipment such as that of the {{UNSCShip|Hopeful}}, the resuscitation of individuals traditionally considered dead is not unheard of.<ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 97''</ref> Biological death can also be delayed by placing an individual into cryonic suspension until proper medical care can be provided.<ref>'''Halo: The Fall of Reach''', ''page 329 (2001 edition)''</ref> A number of synthetic compounds have been developed to allow more rapid recovery from injuries or to ease the treatment of patients in general; these include [[biofoam]], [[bone-knitting polymer]], and [[polymerized hemoglobin]]. | ||