The discussion around Atlantis, partly inspired by Plato's writings, delves into whether advanced ancient civilizations akin to Atlantis might have truly existed. User comments aggregate a blend of skepticism and belief, with some referencing historical surveys that show a significant portion of the American population believes in the possibility of such civilizations. The conversation touches on interpretations of Plato's allegorical use of Atlantis as a criticism of Athenian democracy. Some commenters draw parallels between Atlantis and real ancient civilizations like the Maya or Egyptians, while others explore the idea that lost civilizations could be misrepresented or misinterpreted in historical context. There are also mentions of geological events, mythological stories, and how oral histories might have recorded realities of these advanced societies.