The Southward Advance Of Native African Farmers

The United States Has Long Thought Of Itself As The Land Of Infinite Plenty, And Historically We Did Have Abundant Resources. But Now We Are Gradually Exhausting Our Fisheries, Our Topsoil, Our Water. On Top Of That, We're Coming To The End Of World Resources.

History Followed Different Courses For Different Peoples Because Of Differences Among Peoples' Environments, Not Because Of Biological Differences Among Peoples Themselves

Besides Justifying The Transfer Of Wealth To Kleptocrats, Institutionalized Religion Brings Two Other Important Benefits To Centralized Societies. First, Shared Ideology Or Religion Helps Solve The Problem Of How Unrelated Individuals Are To Live Together Without Killing Each Other—by Providing Them With A Bond Not Based On Kinship. Second, It Gives People A Motive, Other Than Genetic Self-interest, For Sacrificing Their Lives On Behalf Of Others.

Two Types Of Choices Seem To Me To Have Been Crucial In Tipping The Outcomes [of The Various Societies' Histories] Towards Success Or Failure: Long-term Planning And Willingness To Reconsider Core Values. On Reflection We Can Also Recognize The Crucial Role Of These Same Two Choices For The Outcomes Of Our Individual Lives.

Human Societies Vary In Lots Of Independent Factors Affecting Their Openness To Innovation.