Jared Diamond 2of2: Applying Science to History

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, Jared Diamond 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
• science
• anthropology
• environment
• comparative
• method

[Doedshunden]

5.28 What is he saying?

[theinquisitor]

I assume he's repeating himself in German for the benefit of the mostly German audience.

[almarianda]

splendid

[WeirdGuy4928]

Since the conference is called Der Digitale Planet, I would guess that most of the audience is german and that Jared is simply translating some of the harder words/phrases into german for better understanding of the speech.

Besides, he speaks a dozen languages, so I would guess that german wouldn't be the first one to brag about.

[DSN112358]

@Doedshunden Hes just repeating the counries he named in german (Greenland etc.)

[pfisterbaby]

Basically, he's trying to say that technological advancement and civilization development operates the same way it does in Cid Meyer's Civilization Revolution for the Xbox 360.

[beebobox]

very interesting speak, slightly annoying when he adds the german version of phrases or names as if it meant anything more that way.

/golfclap you speak german