Guns, Germs, and Steel
By Jared Diamond
We have often heard that "necessity is the mother of invention". But many things go unappreciated simply because its first model isn't very good. Take, for instance, the gas engine. It was made when horses were still in full swing and the engine was unnecessary. In fact, many objects come from a series of previous inventions that have gradually been improved. We must also get society to adopt our invention, by making it more effective or giving it social prestige. Also, the receptiveness of a society is very important. If the technology is unnecessary, a society will probably be less receptive.
Chapter 14: From Egalitarianism to Kleptocracy
"Fayu bands and modern states represent opposite extremes along the spectrum of human societies."(Diamond 267). How did that happen? States evolved large scale farming as a result of different environmental conditions, which caused population rise, which in turn supported evolution from bands to states. Large societies simply couldn't survive in bands without leadership.
Full Book
How did it come to be that Europeans lead today's society? Jared Diamond dives into the historic factors contributing to this phenomenon, starting at the beginning of humankind. First, food production. This was vital to the Eurasian's eventual defeat of other nations, as it allowed them to create sedentary societies. This caused a lot more human beings to be crowded in one place, allowing germs to spread more easily. This in turn allowed the Eurasians time to develop immunities, which the peoples they conquered didn't have. Sedentary society also allowed for the rise of states, which, with a politically unified center, could have larger, more controlled armies than hunter-gatherer bands. But how did certain societies come to have agricultures and others not? In the Fertile Crescent, there were a wider variety of plants and possible livestock than in, say, Australia. But then, what about the Americas? They developed agriculture and complex societies too. The problem was that America lay on a north-south axis, rather than an east-west axis. When plants travel north or south, they move through different climates, requiring them to adapt to this new weather over many generations, slowing the spread of agriculture in the Americas. Later on, the more complex, self-supporting society of Eurasia developed more technology, because they had more time on their hands and could sustain non-food producing specialist workers. But what about China? They were part of the Eurasian continent. In fact, China was ahead of European countries for most of history. They had a series of firsts, and had advanced oceangoing tech far before Europe. The problem with China was its unity. In China, a single bad ruler could end all innovation - which is exactly what happened. One dynasty ended the building of ships, and it was all over. Europe was more politically disunited, which eventually worked to its advantage. When one country adopted something new, the others had to follow suit, or they would be destroyed. So, that's how Europe became the top dog.
Chapter 14: From Egalitarianism to Kleptocracy
"Fayu bands and modern states represent opposite extremes along the spectrum of human societies."(Diamond 267). How did that happen? States evolved large scale farming as a result of different environmental conditions, which caused population rise, which in turn supported evolution from bands to states. Large societies simply couldn't survive in bands without leadership.
Full Book
How did it come to be that Europeans lead today's society? Jared Diamond dives into the historic factors contributing to this phenomenon, starting at the beginning of humankind. First, food production. This was vital to the Eurasian's eventual defeat of other nations, as it allowed them to create sedentary societies. This caused a lot more human beings to be crowded in one place, allowing germs to spread more easily. This in turn allowed the Eurasians time to develop immunities, which the peoples they conquered didn't have. Sedentary society also allowed for the rise of states, which, with a politically unified center, could have larger, more controlled armies than hunter-gatherer bands. But how did certain societies come to have agricultures and others not? In the Fertile Crescent, there were a wider variety of plants and possible livestock than in, say, Australia. But then, what about the Americas? They developed agriculture and complex societies too. The problem was that America lay on a north-south axis, rather than an east-west axis. When plants travel north or south, they move through different climates, requiring them to adapt to this new weather over many generations, slowing the spread of agriculture in the Americas. Later on, the more complex, self-supporting society of Eurasia developed more technology, because they had more time on their hands and could sustain non-food producing specialist workers. But what about China? They were part of the Eurasian continent. In fact, China was ahead of European countries for most of history. They had a series of firsts, and had advanced oceangoing tech far before Europe. The problem with China was its unity. In China, a single bad ruler could end all innovation - which is exactly what happened. One dynasty ended the building of ships, and it was all over. Europe was more politically disunited, which eventually worked to its advantage. When one country adopted something new, the others had to follow suit, or they would be destroyed. So, that's how Europe became the top dog.
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