Jared Diamond 1of2: Factors in the Rise of Civilizations

Jared Diamond talks about the border between history and science. He draws from his book: "Guns, Germs and Steel" to attempt to summarise the factors that influenced the differing courses of various cultures in human history. He makes the argument that environmental factors such as resources and geography are responsible for the differences in the technological advances of different cultures, not genetic or biological factors. He believes that the scientific method can be applied to the study of human history as rigourously as it has been to the history of life and the cosmos.

From a conference in 1998 called Der Digitale Planet (The Digital Planet), which also included Douglas Adams, Richard Dawkins, Daniel Dennett and Steven Pinker. Links follow:

Douglas Adams: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=msAF_MDYWNE

Richard Dawkins: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jdBOb9tQjNU

Daniel Dennett: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=psBwnE0ByUw

Stephen Pinker: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LVrb5ClvDho


Found here (at the bottom):
http://www.reitstoen.com/dennett.php

Direct link to video (real media):
http://www.web-for-vision.com:8080/ramgen/SPIEGEL/Wfv_Isdn.smil

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• history
• civlization
• technology
• empires
• tools
• language
• writing
• farming

[KalleSacanaBlomkvist]

He is my idol! Read not only "Gun, germs, steel" but all his other books U won't be one bit disappointed

his ideas r really very strong

eg I thought that Europeans were so efficient at conquering bcuz they developed a superiour fighting spirit in constant wars between themselves

but no, the Native ppl were at constant war as well,

so the european ARMS race made the decisive difference  - technology superseded fighting moral

[fordogtrainers]

Wow this guy Is so interesting , I am gonna go buy his book as fast as I can.

[bapyou]

"interesting hair" Ha ha.

Someone on another Jared Diamond video commented

"I think Diamond's combover is collapsing." :)

[CrazyShakaZulu]

interesting hair

[almarianda]

splendid

[nergvol]

great