Diamond makes an interesting case that the spread of genetically altered crops aided in creating centers of power. He makes an important observation that globalization has happened in an east-west pattern, because of similar climate and easier movement of people and culture.
What he does not point out is that the centers of power focused on areas where the climate was variable. In the temperate climate of Europe and China, changes in the seasons forced man to develop solutions, such as seasonal clothing and better housing as responses.
Diamond describes agriculture as a means to free people from food production to become "inventors and bureaucrats." While this is true, agriculture also forced people to settle in one place (which might change periodically). People couldn't go on long hunting trips anymore since agriculture requires daily effort.
I do agree with Diamond that the solution of this planet's problems, economic, social, and ecological, is not to have the Third World attain the (wasteful) material comforts of the First World. He is the first I have read that identifies what the impact on the planet would be if everyone drove SUVs and ate at McDonald's every day.
1. Does agriculture support sedentary societies, or does it enforce them?
2. How can we protect the environment and still provide an equal standard of living for all human beings?
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