The antidote to @GretaThunberg – Naomi Seibt – former climate alarmist turned climate skeptic

From wikipedia:
Critical thinking is the analysis of facts to form a judgment.[1] The subject is complex, and several different definitions exist, which generally include the rational, skeptical, unbiased analysis, or evaluation of factual evidence. Critical thinking is self-directed, self-disciplined, self-monitored, and self-corrective thinking. It presupposes assent to rigorous standards of excellence and mindful command of their use. It entails effective communication and problem-solving abilities as well as a commitment to overcome native egocentrism[2][3] and sociocentrism.
The earliest documentation of critical thinking are the teachings of Socrates recorded by Plato. Socrates established the fact that one cannot depend upon those in “authority” to have sound knowledge and insight. He demonstrated that persons may have power and high position and yet be deeply confused and irrational.

Sounds familiar?

Krishna

Interesting thanks. The point remains that German and Swedish are in different philological branches (I think that’s the right term) of the Germanic “tree” of the hypothetical Proto-Indo-European language (PIE) which may have existed in Central West Asia perhaps 6000 years or so ago. Bahlow’s Dictionary of German Names is probably irrelevant to the meaning and origin of Thunberg’s surname, though Noaa’s lighthearted post is very apt.

Proto Germanic, a descendant language of PIE, thought to have been the common language of central/Southern Scandinavian inhabitants, is considered to have been the common and very ancient ancestor/root language (perhaps 1000 years or more before the Migration Period) of all Germanic languages ((ie the (extinct) East Germanic (as in Ostrogoths and others), West Germanic (as in Visigoths and others) and in North Germanic (the root of the modern Scandinavian languages)). This Proto Germanic is if I recall correctly about one/two stages removed from the original hypothetical PIE language.

Speakers of the West Germanic “root” language of modern German only arrived in what are modern N Germany/N Poland (and then spread South through Central Europe sometimes displacing and sometimes mixing with the Celtic speaking indigenous populations, with whom they seem to have some common cultural links), from about the 4th Century BC.

The problems the Roman Republic (btw Latin, like Sanskrit is also a descendant language of PIE, but in a different branch, more closely related to Celtic languages than to Germanic) had with what they called generically “the Celts” ((who, under Brennus sacked Rome the late 380s BC and then presented serious problems on and off until as late as Marius’ dictatorships and the Cimbric Wars (ca last decade of the 2nd Century BC)) may well be attributable to the pressure the arrival of the first waves of Germanic speakers on the North German Plain.

Interestingly there could well be climate change related reasons for this migration of early Germanic speakers. Certainly the Romans record that the reason the Cimbri were on the move is that Jutland was overwhelmed and flooded by a great storm which destroyed their lands over much of the peninsula and changed the shape of the shorelines and various inlets.

It is only with the much later migrations (perhaps from about 200 AD) of Germanic speakers out of Bornholm (Burgundians), Gotland (Goths), Jutland (Jutes), Schleswig Holstein (Angles and Saxons) etc that the most proximate root language of modern German (West Germanic – also a significant root language of English and Dutch amongst others), came to the fore in Central Europe. Again climate change (cooling) is quite likely the reason for the Migration Period mass movements in Western Europe – and quite likely elsewhere in Eurasia.

By this stage (ca 200 AD onward) the language had diverged quite significantly from the North Germanic group of languages which are the roots of the modern Swedish language in particular (Norwegian is perhaps the “purer” form of North Germanic, being closer linked to the most ancient root via Old Norse, while Danish is quite heavily influenced by its proximity to the West Germanic languages).

It is for this reason that Bahlow’s take on “Thun” in German names, and your equally interesting diversion into possible Celtic roots etc is likely irrelevant. Of course this is all based on the assumption Ms Thunberg’s family isn’t originally from Germany….in which case I’ve wasted a lot of time, and you and Noaa are likely quite right. Ho hum!