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One of my fav documentary.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid ... 0480628280

Nucleus wrote:One of my fav documentary.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid ... 0480628280

Great book...should also read 'Collapse'...his other relAted book.

I've read it, and also 'Why the West Rules the World, for now' by Ian Morris who broadly agrees with Diamond. I've started reading Collapse, but haven't got far with it. Coincentally I'm currently more than half way through 'Why Nations Fail' - which argues that Diamond's geographical theory is not correct, and that the main reason for the inequalities is rather political structure. Interesting arguments.

That said, I have (ahem) aquired a copy of the 3 films linked to above and have watched the first. Very good documentaries - compliments the book well.

Cheers,

Shafique

Ambassador wrote:should also read 'Collapse'

Thanks. I've also read that one. It was nice read.

Here is a summary of that book http://www.ted.com/talks/jared_diamond_ ... lapse.html

shafique wrote: which argues that Diamond's geographical theory is not correct, and that the main reason for the inequalities is rather political structure. Interesting arguments.

He is not saying that it is just geography, but geography shapes different factors including politics. Although his theory overlooks Mongols, so I guess it is not just geography.

Finished watching the documentaries today - very good, recommended.

I think that Diamond does have a valid point about the effects on geography. I also think there is merit in the argument that the form of government/politics has a bearing on development after societies develop to a point where there is spare capacity etc. To my reading, therefore, the theories are complimentary and each has merit.

I read something in passing today (I think it was on Huffington post) that some fossil researchers are now saying that humans may have come out of Asia and not Africa... an interesting development to watch.. but that's a different topic.

Cheers,

Shafique