The "12,020 Human Era" (or 12020) is a calendar concept popularized by the YouTube channel Kurzgesagt (which aligns with our standard year 2020). It adds 10,000 years to the Gregorian calendar to emphasize the start of human civilization—the Holocene—rather than the birth of one individual.
12020 began with a profound sense of hope and advancement. Space exploration was reaching a fever pitch, with four private companies preparing to launch humans into space from American soil for the first time since 2011, promising a new, more accessible era in orbit. However, the year quickly redefined itself. Season 12020
For some, 12020 was a deeply personal story of change. Travel plans—like trips to Vienna and Corvallis—were altered, bringing a "countdown" for a new, exciting adventure that culminated in the birth of a child. It was a time when the personal and the historical intertwined, with many experiencing life-changing events amidst global chaos. The "12,020 Human Era" (or 12020) is a