On Fri, 5 May 2000, Wojtek Sokolowski wrote:
> That brings to mind the argument voiced by Jared Diamond in his book
> _Guns, Germs, and Steel_ that it is the environmental factors rather
> than purported human "intelligence" or kindred moral vitues (or lack
> thereof) are responsible for major civilization advances.
Diamond's central arguments about the importance of environment, and specifically about the importance of the supply of domesticatable animals, were made very elegantly 25 years ago by Marvin Harris in _Cannibals and Kings: The Origins of Cultures_ (esp. Chap. 3, "The Origin of Agriculture.") I used to wonder why Harris didn't get more press. Now I realize that people read him when he came out, and celebrated him, and then forgot about him. And in 25 years someone will make this argument again to great acclaim. It's got a sad Ozymandias ring to it. But I guess it keeps us chattering classes employed.
Just out of curiousity, though, what was wrong with buffalos and turkeys? As domesticatable animals, I mean. Sure were lots of them left. And I'm a little baffled by the idea that native Americans were unable to develop mobile military units based on horses.
Michael __________________________________________________________________________ Michael Pollak................New York City..............mpollak at panix.com