500 Million, But Not A Single One More

This video is an animation of 500 Million, But Not A Single One More, by Jai.
You can read the original post here: forum.effectivealtruism.org/p...
Since the video was published Jai made two updates. The rationale for them is explained in this comment full of interesting sources and explanations: forum.effectivealtruism.org/p...
1. Jai says:
The text originally said that Smallpox killed "more than fifty million Native Americans". I cannot find any source I might have originally used for this claim. When attempting to research this more recently, I came across the 2019 paper "Earth system impacts of the European arrival and Great Dying in the Americas after 1492", which estimates 55 million all-cause deaths from European contact across the Americas between 1492 and 1600. "Counting the Dead: Estimating the Loss of Life in the Indigenous Holocaust, 1492-Present" is part of a body of literature exploring the interplay between disease and intentional violence, which further complicates things. Lots of things can make people vulnerable to disease. If a family is forced to relocate, goes hungry, and subsequently are weaker when they fall ill, it seems incorrect to say that the illness alone killed them. All told, disease is widely agreed to be the most significant contributor to the great dying of the Indigenous Peoples of the Americas, and of the diseases Smallpox was probably the most significant killer. Given the complexities and uncertainties here, when I finish writing this comment, I intend to update the text to "over ten million Native Americans" as a lower bound that I feel 80% confident about. I think I could refine this further with more research - this is still extremely ad hoc - but this is as much time as I can afford at the moment.
2. Jai says:
"In China, in the 10th century, humanity began to fight back." I believe I originally got this figure from Our World In Data (ourworldindata.org/smallpox#h... ), but now believe it to be inaccurate. There are "references" that say the tradition dates back to the tenth century, but the evidence is sparse. Going by Wikipedia's article on Variolation (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Variola... ), I'm updating this to "the 15th century.
On Sopona, the god of Smallpox of the Yoruba people:
Sopona inspired our design of the monster in the video. You can find some interesting facts about this god and its cult here: forum.effectivealtruism.org/p...
Jai wrote an epic spinoff of this story here:
forum.effectivealtruism.org/p...
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Many thanks to all the patrons and channel members! This time we have to use a Google Doc, since you don't fit in the description: docs.google.com/document/d/1i...
▀▀▀▀▀▀▀CREDITS▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀
Animation Director: / evan
Animation team:
- / celestialshibe / Lara
- / damonedgson Damon
- / earl.gravy / Grey
- / mrgabreleiros / Gabriel
- / hannah_luloo / Hannah
- www.kristysteffens.com / Kristy
- / nezhahah / Neda
- / deewangart / Dee
- ?? / :3
Writer:
- Jai
Producer:
- :3
Narrator: Robert Miles
VO Editor: Tony Dipiazza
Sound design and music: Epic Mountain

[@RationalAnimations]

I DECLARE ALL-OUT WAR AGAINST ALL THE DEMONS.

[@greasefirefart]

YEAAAAAH

[@serbo_maps]

Ok

[@pyeitme508]

RAD!

[@greasefirefart]

@@pyeitme508 THATS RAD DUDE YEAAAAAAH

[@jxg1652]

You have posted this comment 3 days ago, but this video has been uploaded 22 seconds ago. Clearly you have used dark magic. Did you truly think we would be so easy to deceive, Demon?

[@Aesthics]

It's crazy how successful humans were at eradicating Smallpox -- it's the only disease (that affects humans) in history that has been fully eradicated. Maybe one day we will do the same for other diseases like Malaria? One can only hope. Also, amazing animation and style on this one! Massive props to the team

[@eitanweiss7026]

Malaria is am extra challenge to fully eradicate due to there being non human carriers of the infection - mosquitoes. So even if we immunize all humans from malaria, a human born after we stop immunizing everyone could be infected from a mosquito. So unless we do something about that (which is being done - gene editing, but we still don't understand the effects this could have) we won't be able to eradicate it

[@GuyllianVanRixtel]

Smallpox might come back. This is because some of it is trapped in ice caps that are being melted. But this time, we're ready, we will destroy it once more, together as one.

[@t_ylr]

And Tuberculosis hopefully

[@kennyholmes5196]

We nearly did the same in modern times against Measles. We're soon to do the same for Guinea Worms. Heck, we actually _DID_ do the same to a livestock disease! Look up Rinderpest.

[@Puerco-Potter]

​@@kennyholmes5196 anti vaxxer are determined to avoid we do...

[@calmkat9032]

Like an eldritch horror, it didn't kill out of evil or greed or any ideology, it simply was. In that sense, we took that unknowable beast down, by knowing it. And when we didn't know it, we knew enough bits and pieces to fight it, until it was no more. Truly inspiring in a way moreso than even utopian science fiction.

[@Sentanette]

agreed

[@dianaestrada1584]

this was sick

[@cherilynnfisher5658]

Very well said! Bravo! Thank you!

[@theriffwriter2194]

It kinda depresses me considering if it happened today we'd almost certainly be doomed!

[@solsystem1342]

​@@theriffwriter2194 There are ongoing efforts to eradicate NTDs (neglected tropical diseases). I think you'll find your pessimistic outlook is at least partially unfounded.

[@kikivoorburg]

I rarely get emotional about anything, but the eradication of smallpox brings some tears to my eyes. Truly humanity at its finest.

[@JaiWithani]

Finest so far.

[@EdricLysharae]

I, too, tear up at this: The suffering of our ancestors, their perseverance, their resolve... Believe it or not, things *are* getting better.

[@distantraveller9876]

@@JaiWithani You are in for a rude awakening

[@distantraveller9876]

@@EdricLysharaeAs they say in the stock market, past performance is not indicative of future results

[@EdricLysharae]

@@distantraveller9876, but you do see an observable trend in markets when you're not just paying attention to a quarter or handful of years: three steps forward; one step back.

[@jordan13589]

I love how throughout the video the viewer was left anticipating the name of the disease before the big reveal was swapped out for ‘the point’ which was really an inspirational call-to-action in the face of depressing odds ❤

[@apollyonnoctis1291]

If you couldn’t figure it out, the leaders names give it away: Smallpox. It killed around 500 million people throughout mankind’s history, and is one of the first major diseases we’ve ever ‘eradicated’. It caused red, bleeding rashes all across the body, as well as chills and a fever.

[@Username-ct9fe]

I was 90% certain it was smallpox once it was revealed it killed 50 million Native Americans

[@Periwinkleaccount]

Still, they should have mentioned that it was smallpox.

[@ArawnOfAnnwn]

It was pretty easy to guess what it was about even early on.

[@Username-ct9fe]

@@ArawnOfAnnwn I was thinking black death at first. Black death had many waves, some in Asia and Egypt. I also was thinking maybe it could be measles, but I didn't know enough to say

[@pandorabox5532]

My great grandmother actually contracted smallpox. She was from a small rural community, she was not vaccinated or anything and there were no doctors available, so she survived it by sheer strength and maybe luck. She was a badass.

[@malikhanoo6915]

wow

[@kittybeans8192]

We've won many battles, but the war rages on. Let's never lose sight of a better tomorrow; a tomorrow we must work hard to realize.

[@troydunnage6749]

They must really appreciate that

[@foundationguard5315]

*"1 down, many more to go."*

[@ErikratKhandnalie]

Damn. This video actually made me proud to be human. We can do amazing things if we can just work together for the good of all.

[@elvis5384]

A disease fell, but another can always rise Every creature evolves to outdo the others, that's how we humans evolved (and got on top of the food chain) and that's how viruses evolved too, and they'll keep evolving Yes, the enemy was defeated, but the damage was still done, many died, many suffered, and that's what it wanted, nothing more, and it succeeded, those people cannot be brought back. So listen closely... Take your damn vitamins! That's right! You heard me! Take your god damn vitamins and don't stay out in the cold season! But seriously now, in 60 years this planet is gonna go to s*it because of overpopulation (and frankly, mars is not an option). Sooooo... everyone is gonna die😐. Untill than, take your vitamins.

[@jonathonpolk3592]

I'd be proud if there weren't so many idiotic antivaxxers out there all but guaranteeing that it would sweep the world again and cause mass death if there was ever another outbreak.

[@SolomonUcko]

if

[@kittypeanut4102]

Ha. "If"

[@elvis5384]

@@kittypeanut4102 Ha, yeah, "if" "If" we can just work together. Like that's ever gonna happen.

[@parz1val205]

At first I thought I thought it was the black death but once the scab thing came up I realised it would have to be a vaccination story and only one story is worth telling in this style and you captured it beautifully!

[@JS-rv3et]

took you half the bid to know it was small pox

[@Bread-to5go]

I anti human hi hi hi hi

[@Irobert1115HD]

black death turned out easier to controll i guess. thats why quarantine and personal ÌDs where invented.

[@KevinJohnson-cv2no]

You are a true humanist. I love these stories of Mankind triumphing against the odds and continuously pushing into the infinite. Our march shall never falter.

[@fsexplorer9727]

Yes, if we world together, and end human greed through the hands of corporations and capitalism and unite under a government truly run by all under an Islamic socialist state (or ISS for short), a truly bright future might await us!

[@thomasfisher4833]

​@@fsexplorer9727 An global islamic state? No thankyou.

[@fsexplorer9727]

@@thomasfisher4833 What's wrong with Islam? If you are saying that they are all terrorists/the religion is terroristic, why aren't India and Spain, which were ruled by Muslims for over 500 years and gave the Muslim rulers there ample opportunity to force their "violent" religion upon them, majority nonmuslim. In fact, India today is ruled by a far-right Islamophobic party. Is it about the state of Israel, which was illegally established only by the UK and zionists that didn't represent the population of Jews and today commits apartheid? Is it about 9/11, a group of less than 1000 people out of 2 billion? Is it about the "violent" parts of the Quran. If so, show me them, and explain why Muslims aren't entitled to defend themselves from the western world which has been attacking them for centuries through colonialism, invasions of countries for nonexistent reasons (those WMDS were sooo dangerous that we must have not found any in shock). You're only reasons for going against Islam are based in bigotry and racism that perpetuate a capitalist white patriarchy, as Islamic policies are much more equal than most countries today. The religion itself has also managed to pull off prophesies that are accurate today, like in embryology, plate tectonics, astronomy, etc.

[@mrosskne]

we'll be extinct in a few hundred years

[@vidal9747]

@@fsexplorer9727 Its very ironic that there are religious socialists considering Marx views on religion. Religion is part of the problem, not the solution. If the government bases its actions in anything but rational thought, it invariably leads to chaos and makes humanity worse.

[@amydurham5606]

I don't think I've ever felt this emotional about the eradication of smallpox. Most accounts are dry histories, hard to empathise with. You're an incredible storyteller!

[@michaelbuckers]

That's because the narration is specifically crafted this way. Congratulations, you fell for the oldest trick in the book. Now that you can recognize when you're being played with emotionally, you can use this to consciously reject con men attempts to influence your decisions.

[@amydurham5606]

@@michaelbuckers Well I do know *why* I felt that way, I was more remarking on being impressed at how well they did at crafting a compelling narrative around it. It's not like they're trying to convince me of anything, I knew vaguely the facts presented in the video already.

[@parzi5318]

Hey, you uploaded this like 5 minutes ago so you might read the comments! Just wanted to let you know I'm a big fan of the animation style and the way you deliver your videos in a simple and concise way, Keep up the good work!!!!

[@AkaiAzul]

Smallpox no longer exists in the wild, but there are samples left in two different labs. The last person to get smallpox (non wild) was medical photographer Janet Parker in 1978 and died from it, too. . .

[@zeropsaft]

Did they burn his body so that none will get infected

[@OzixiThrill]

I think it was also demonstrated that an adequately determined asshole could recreate it from currently existing pathogens if they were so inclined, which was the case used against completely getting rid of every sample.

[@capitalistraven]

As John Green put it.. The most remarkable thing about the entry of smallpox in Wikipedia is the second word... Smallpox WAS

[@Moss_knight00]

I'm literally crying and shaking. Like actually. It's just... it strikes a chord deep inside me, when everyone, friends and enemies alike, come together as a species to fight against an overwhelming evil. And win. And we did that. Humanity did that. Smallpox is no more. Smallpox was. 500 Million, But not a single more.

[@shenrr6802]

Imagine if we were using all our potential. If instead of trying to survive, we were thriving.

[@elek_]

dude

[@Nif3]

See a psychiatrist.

[@bane2201]

@@Nif3 Having happy tears because of a _good_ thing is not a reason to see a psychiatrist. With all due respect (plus extra), shut up.

[@Lernos1]

Can't wait when we can do the same to death itself. The ultimate enemy shall be destroyed.

[@channelknightfadran7901]

Best superhero one-liner is "When you go to hell, tell smallpox we say hello."

[@angelodc1652]

Imagine a doctor-themed superhero who said that

[@JaiWithani]

​@@angelodc1652 Be the hero you want to see in the world. Every time I get a vaccination I imagine tearing away a piece of the demon's wretched flesh and casting it into the fire to join its vanquished brethren. Nothing can actually stop you from adopting a mindset you believe in.

[@tesseractgon-dy5yo]

It remains frozen in a container in a repository where other pathogens are also stored

[@ElixTMOV]

The story telling gave me goose bumps and almost made me cry . Never have I ever seen a video that had given me this much strong feeling of hope, unity and responsibility . Thank You Rational animation for making this masterpiece.

[@joz6683]

This was your best video yet. Great story arc and an uplifting end. Thanks, the new narration is perfect, and the animation gets better with each video.

[@ArcKlight]

Truly cannot wait for next season

[@JS-rv3et]

​@@ArcKlight EXPLAIN YOURSELF

[@covertoperator2957]

I cried out of hope, as I always do on stories of humanity overcoming smallpox. Another heartwrenching rendition of this tale is on The Anthropocene Reviewed (and there are episodes on other plagues as well)

[@BabyEater]

In the 21st century, the memory of the mad god was growing fainter. Some doubted its power and believed that in fact, the weapons meant to defeat the mad god were the true dangers. They began encouraging others to disarm, which paved the way for mad god's resurrection in the year 2024.

[@JaiWithani]

Anti-vaxxers have done a lot of harm, but I draw the line at making me write a sequel.

[@AkaiAzul]

There are but two samples of smallpox tucked away in two labs across the world. Pray they stay there and simply cease to be over time.

[@magicalsimmy]

I can’t help but think of some of my friends and family members who have succumbed to a potentially lethal mind virus - conspiracies and misinformation - who went the other way during COVID and still to this day refuse to get this vaccine, while others refuse to vaccinate their children against measles and other uncommon diseases during my childhood. Now these diseases are wreaking havoc. If we ever have another virus like smallpox, I fear for the future of humanity. How do we fight against illogical thinking and circular arguments that could potentially endanger our very civilization? How do we vaccinate against that when these people are willing to alienate loved ones to live out their illogical beliefs?

[@DavidTh2]

So, I trust you haven't seen the multiple cases of people who got multiple doses who still got it? Many mere than once

[@user-pl1yp1tj8b]

@@DavidTh2 To follow this line, there shouldn't be any stop lights because they haven't prevented all accidents at intersections. Do the research. Think for yourself. Stop parroting others.

[@DavidTh2]

@user-pl1yp1tj8b That would be funny if it weren't so concerning. Apparently the government constantly telling you what to think and you doing it is "thinking for yourself".

[@user-pl1yp1tj8b]

@@DavidTh2 I'm shocked that you're anti-stop light. I definitely hope you're in the minority and not the first in a growing trend. I don't watch FOX 'news' so I'm unaware if they are leading the charge or not. Are you anti-safety belt, too?

[@DavidTh2]

@@user-pl1yp1tj8b Roundabouts work better under low traffic conditions, and interchanges under high traffic conditions. Stop signs are adequate for very low traffic intersections.

[@mrshodos]

Amazing. We stand on the shoulders of those who came before us, giants, but also people just like us. Thank you, forefathers and foremothers. And thank you for animating this amazing message!

[@Graphomite]

I like how this animation did not specify Smallpox, but used it as an easy alligory for humanity's seemingly insurmountable struggles. Yesterday, smallpox. Tomorrow we can defeat cancer, or a more abstract demon, like Hunger. Humanity, as an entity of nature reflecting itself, an unheard of example of raw chaos given order, **is** a distinct force of nature, given cooperation among itself. Unfortunately, we allow once necessarily vicious instincts continue to govern us as a competetive species, even now that we've transcended any need to take resources from individuals. Cutthroat competition was necessary to shape us. But that evolutionary quirk, much like our lust for blood and violence, should be reshaped for our greater good. While many technologies have been sped up in thanks to competition, this is not a healthy self-evolutuon. None of our demons have been defeated through competition. Humans will always invent. It's in our nature. We needn't compete to do so. And we'd get far more effective results if our motives were in one another and not $$$.

[@RobertMilesAI]

Oh you're going to like the next video

[@Graphomite]

@@RobertMilesAI Oh snap, it's the narrator himself here to foreshadow events to come. Much obliged.

[@JaiWithani]

@@Graphomite It's really going to be something else.

[@wasdwasdedsf]

how does a motive "in one another and not $$$" work or look? notsure what you mean by for profit motives but capitalism is the best system weve ever had, and the ever divergence from that, such as government spending increasing many fold in the last century for example, is the reason for the stagnation and degradement of our country.

[@Graphomite]

@@JaiWithani Oh snap, it's the writer himself here to betoken what shalt transpire. Much beholden.

[@fam3871]

Amazing! Shed a tear in the end, truly inspiring.

[@Asiliea]

I had always found this impressive of humanity, but it felt at arms length. "You are a member of the species that did that" hit me hard. It wasn't _them._ It was _us._ _We_ fought. And _we_ will keep fighting.

[@constantinethecataphract5949]

Why do you feel proud for an accomplishment that you personally had no part in? Stop being a weirdo and do sth with your life so you can have accomplishments to be proud of instead of taking pride in other people's hard work like a loser.

[@RedIsntHome]

Your video quality has improved so much!Keep making content,you will surely hit 1 million subs soon!

[@tevenen]

This video is a masterpiece, it should be played in schools. mega motivating!

[@Datan0de]

This made me cry for two very different reasons. Seeing the awesome things that humanity can accomplish when we work together is incredibly inspiring, and makes me genuinely proud to be a human being. But I look around at the way my country responded to COVID-19, with genuine heroes but also with a contingent who want those heroes imprisoned or killed, whose actions directly supported the virus, and who still to this day choose ignorance and conspiracy theories over science and medicine. And many of those people are in positions of power. How is this possible? How does the same amazing species fall so far within living memory?

[@JaiWithani]

There was a literal cult whose priests spread Smallpox on purpose. There were numerous attempts to weaponize Smallpox over the centuries, up to a Soviet bioweapons program that killed three people when a Smallpox test went wrong in the 70's. All of these stories have always been happening. It's never been all good or all bad. And it is good to remember that humanity is all of the things it has done and can be, and refuse to let our species be defined by its worst moments.

[@OMAN3307]

I Found this from the description of a Kurzgesagt video. Nice!

[@foracal5608]

Small pox. Such a terror it was

[@iamthirdyt]

When humanity comes together and advances together, “when enemies come together”. It’s baffling how stupidity and a lack of critical thinking is making some of these advances go backwards. There is still a lot of hope!!!

[@cuppajoe2]

Why does this make me feel so inspired??? This was epic!!

[@JaiWithani]

As humans, we have a lot of heritage - and some of it is rad af.

[@AHappierWorldYT]

This is amazing! Great job on the animation.

[@kayakMike1000]

we have won the battle, but the war rages on.

[@demon_xd_]

I often say that humanity’s a mess, and that I’d gladly defect to any alien species who’d dare to establish contact with us, but despite our many flaws, the eradication of smallpox brings a tear of joy to my eye, knowing that we have great potential… let’s just hope we can harness it…

[@JaiWithani]

An alien species pulling somewhat-randomly from the set of all evolutionary-reachable-value-systems-that-don't-preclude-interstellar-travel is overwhelmingly likely to end up with a value system far worse than most other humans. The aliens we imagine in fiction are largely the product of having only ever known human intelligences, but the circumstances that led to us valuing the things we value were probably highly particular and unlikely to be at all similar to another advanced alien species. Humanity really isn't so bad. Don't let the worst of it obscure the best of it.

[@g-gon8869]

you make absolutely amazing animations,hope you never stop.

[@randomuser5443]

The cleanest vaccine history on youtube

[@diablominero]

Smallpox was a relatively easy disease to eradicate, in retrospect. It doesn't have animal reservoirs or asymptomatic spread. The vaccine will tolerate being stored at room temperature. The disease is serious enough that antivaxxers are obviously insane to everyone else. You can get vaccinated after exposure and the vaccine will protect you faster than the disease makes you sick. Overall, a best case scenario as far as disease eradication goes.

[@Edralis]

This made me tear up. Masterfully done, thank you!

[@jamesheller2707]

your animation style and choice of topic are amazing! please make more of these awesome videos

[@agxryt]

This was fantastically done. What a great way reframe an important, but often overlooked story into a fantastical legend. Storytelling like this is how religions begin, but it's great to see it being done for something rational.

[@cydean_studios]

This was epic! Really brings forth both the technical and emotional side of what amazing feat this whole ordeal was. Great video and amazing animation~

[@GeminiS...]

An amazing story that you've added a spectacular animation too. Quite lovely.

[@sacrificeme500]

Whether it be out of ignorance or maliciousness, there will always be those who are manipulated by the Dark Gods to fight for humanities enemies. No one is perfectly immune.

[@cuddlebuff]

I got chills watching this, which is like never. Thank you guys for all of your hard work. Great stuff.

[@ETime97]

These animations are top notch, im sure your Chanel wil grow even bigger then your dreams might think

[@martinld93]

This was so moving. Thank you so much.

[@somelaser5906]

Fantastic animating style and presentation, your way of telling and animating stories is the best in the business when paired with your soothing voice!

[@SaiTheForgotten]

I want to believe and be inspired.. but as someone who worked in a hospital thru the pandemic. I'm jaded and sceptical of humanity

[@JaiWithani]

It's okay to be jaded. Hope is still out there all the same, but it can be hard to look at a bright light after so much time struggling to help people in the dark. There was a literal cult of smallpox whose priests would intentionally infect people. The faults and failures of humanity have always been there, and especially in situations where those are so numerous and visible it can be hard to imagine that anything else is possible. We are often weak. We are often foolish. We are often cruel. And yet - we still killed Smallpox. Global literacy rates and access to clean water continue to climb. The world continues to function and even grow brighter in some ways, built on a foundation of billions of now-invisible achievements and hopes-made-real and instances of trust and cooperation. And every day it keeps going, sustained by countless small kindnesses and lessons learned and personal growth and stable, well-functioning systems - and love. Thank you for everything you've done to help and protect people, even when they were foolish or cruel. You fought on the front lines of a war, and it sounds like you're still recovering from the injuries you sustained there. I hope, in time, you feel better, and I hope that you always know that the world is a much brighter place not only for the things you've done, but just for you being in it at all.

[@shinigummyl1586]

This is incredible, i wish you for 500million views and more.

[@bwatspro]

I knew this fact long time ago, but your video made me truly connect with it on deeper level. Thank you.

[@igneous4449]

Inspiring video and beautiful animation and voice over. Thanks for all the work it took to make this and thanks to the unrelenting effort of all the humans who worked to end this suffering

[@BlitzGruen]

Damn this is a serious step up from most story telling and told in such a way that keeps you watching until the end and its quite frankly inspiring. loved the vid, hope this gets seen by many

[@TheLacedaemonian300]

This is wonderful! This is humanity's most important story. Everyone should read it.

[@gvalentin5464]

So much work, so beautiful, such a result! I am at a loss for words. One of the best videos I ever watched. Subscribed, will follow closely, and recommend

[@Green_kamino]

Brilliant.Wonderful story telling. Loved the animation too. Keep 'em coming!

[@gonzalocianci6105]

This is absolutly outsanding animation, narration, style, and composición really 10/10

[@GerardoGutierrezGonzalez]

And in our ignorance we summoned back into existence and now is growing fast

[@jumpingturtle8830]

*skeptical noises*

[@beowulf2772]

very good! story, narration and animation everything fits perfectly.

[@LokshahiMarathi]

Please make more of these and never stop.

[@Twitch621Vog]

Man, this brings a tear to my eye. The idea the we, as a species, can overcome dire and so-called insurmountable odds. That, we can come together and make our world a safer and better place for all. Not just some, but all! I'd like to think that we can continue to do so; it is the only optimism I still retain in this seemingly bleak world.

[@N1ghthavvk]

Alternative titled " The Eradication Of Smallpox "

[@AlanWilhelm-fv7to]

Everyone: “We’ve eradicated smallpox!” Anti-vaxxers: “And I took that personally.”

[@Mc4King]

This channel is growing on me! Kepp up the good work!

[@kaaskop01]

dude thís is amazing! a piece of modernized myth based on a true story likely not unlike how actual mythology was formed before. absolutely lovely

[@epictoast]

rational animations became a storyteller channel and i'm all for it

[@theeggtimertictic1136]

Beautifully animated and quite inspirational 😊

[@CorinthianIvory]

I really needed this. This gives me a glimmer of hope to hold onto in my dark cold sliver of the world

[@italucenaz]

I get teary everytime I remember this story of triumph

[@Shatterverse]

This is the best way to tell this story I've ever heard. The best way to tell history is to make a compelling story out of it. The dates are just there to keep everything in the right order.

[@moneyboy4754]

Just a beautiful video keep up the good work my man

[@marcmarc172]

Thank you, these videos make my life a better life.

[@Future_Guy]

Dunno why I'm crying. This is just .. brilliant! Without saying what it was, you conveyed it's entire history.

[@totema6205]

why does this bring tears to my eyes ? i dont mean crying , just tears.

[@ktmal1681]

Oh my god.... You are incredible at story telling. Loved this video, loved the animation, and loved the entire experience.

[@kwillo4]

This is much needed. Inspire people to think big! Thank you!

[@nachoijp]

Every time I think of how we banished smallpox I get teary and emotional. We face many demons, but we will defeat them.

[@alpacaofthemountain8760]

Absolutely inspiring. If only we could band together, there is nothing as a species we can't do.

[@Zaithez]

This video made me both sad and happy at the same time. Happy to see what humankind can achieve when we band together and use our resources properly, but also sad when thinking about how much more resources is spent fighting each other and individual greed

[@AtticusKarpenter]

I'm honored to be part of a species that was able to grow strong and mature enough to destroy the ancient mad gods instead of bowing down to them and rationalizing them as necessary and useful. But this is only the beginning of the journey. We still have many ancient evil gods to kill - with our tenacity, learning and teamwork. Great animation. People need to be reminded of who they are in an age of overwhelmed by information noise and imposed pessimism.

[@AzoreanProud]

Gave me chronic pain at age 19. Post herpetic neuralgia, nerve damage by smallpox virus after doing the rashes. EDIT: Varicella/chikenpox. Not smallpox

[@JaiWithani]

I'm so sorry. I hope we can one day kill the demon that hurt you, and find ways to better treat the injury you still bear from the attack.

[@AzoreanProud]

@@JaiWithani Thank you. People overlook chickenpox but it can cause big damages, even death if rashes aren't treated.

[@orphax1925]

wow, I'm normally quite pessimistic about humans but it gave me a glimpse of hope for the future challenges 😇 thanks

[@JaiWithani]

Pessimism is fashionable, but humanity really has done and continues to do a lot of good. The idea that we can and should take pride in being humans was one of the reasons I wrote this.

[@bane2201]

​@@JaiWithani Hey, thanks so much for writing this. I got a bit choked up at this on both my first and second viewing (both due to the way you wrote it and the way it's animated). The way that you put it into historical context made it even more powerful. I can (and did) know that the disease was bad, was around for a while, and was wiped out. That's easy to understand. But describing the haunting toll it took on people for thousands of years? The lines from 3:22 - 3:28? That left a mark in a way a number can't. (*) My great-grandfathers could've easily gotten it. My grandfathers could've gotten it, even within the US (until they were teenagers). My father could've up until age 11. I _can't._ I'm part of the first generation that has grown up with the demon entirely behind them. The words I'd use to honestly describe how I feel would get this comment removed, so I'll say this. We're a bunch of (smart) apes. Writing has only existed for 5% of the time Homo sapiens has. We had the _balls_ to take on a demon that had plagued humanity for 400+ years before the Odyssey existed. Attila the Hun's birth is closer to mine than the first smallpox-like face lesions (~1570 BCE). *_And we won._* (*) - Reminds me of the "article" Hiroshima by John Hersey. (It took up the entire issue of _The New Yorker,_ so "article" is in quotes.) It followed 6 _people_ on the day of the bombing. Being told "X thousand people died and the city was destroyed" is what an encyclopedia article is for. Following 6 flesh-and-blood people like you or me as they were the first civilians to see the worst of what humanity could do? Even if they were the "enemy Japs", they're people with their own lives, dreams, goals, just like you, me, and the reader. That's not an encyclopedia article, that's a slap in the face.

[@quantumview8151]

This animation moved me to tears

[@matthewrhysjohnbamford-kin9234]

This actually did make me shed tears, amazing video and amazing effort my friends. A truly inspirational and equally important message.

[@RazorbackPT]

Our current battle is for the fate of the universe. Our opponent is so cunning only a few know its name... MOLOCH!

[@sipofsunkist9016]

holy shit your animation style is soooo cool!!! 3:02

[@user-es2yz2yg3q]

This is a beautiful animation! Also fun fact: vaccine comes from vacca, meaning cow, as cowpox was the first vaccine for smallpox.

[@RomLoneWolf23]

The surviving monsters sadly have a new ally: willful ignorance, which calls the weapons against the monsters deadlier than the monsters themselves.

[@harshtiwari4545]

Holy shit. That was soo good. I cried.

[@aliqandil]

I knew it was about smallpox, but the whole video resonated with me on another level, I kept thinking about certain demons, plaguing the human mind, spreading from one to another, specially at childhood targeting those that are not yet immune. some even when cured of the plague, remain mentally crippled.

[@devsimplified21]

Beautiful content, thank you

[@lukemills237]

One of my favorite stories! So glad this got a video.

[@bluelobsterart]

Love this!

[@themachine5647]

This is a FANTASTIC video, you could change the F'n world if you keep making videos like this. No, seriously, common people need to see our world placed in this context, the mountain of death and pain and sorrow that we squander daily.

[@disarmyouwitha]

such a cool channel, I just found it!

[@maddmd9171]

I love how they represented as a Eldridge, being which can be used for any concept of corruption, gives us a great way of understanding it while telling a story

[@serbo_maps]

0:18 That's me when I wake up for school

[@MoizRafay]

Such a good video about one of humanity's worthiest victories in its history.

[@adriantcullysover4640]

Well done R.A.T for another yet outstanding, evocative and informative video. Your standard has rose even higher yet again! Glad to be alive!!

[@noahnavarro1008]

Awesome to see the video quality improve so much