Diamond Article

"Why did Human History Unfold Differently on Different Continents For the Last 13,000 Years?" by Jared Diamond

Diamond's lecture "Why Did Human History Unfold Differently on Different Continents for the last 13,000 years?" explains the pattern of human history on all continents. The differences in 1500 A.D. are the initial cause of the differences now. Explains why Eurasians (the peoples of Europe and eastern Asia) have dominated the world's economy.

As an explanation for why there is a major difference between the continents, Diamond presents to following key points:

1. Animal and plant domestication
Eurasia had a greater availability of domestic animals and plants and is the world's largest land mass. The greater availability of domestic animals meant more edible food for humans, where as other locations have wild habitats which contain more inedible food. Also, since most diseases evolved from animals, the Europeans developed immunities and were able to spread the disease (why the Spaniards easily conquered the Aztec and Inca empires).

2. Geographical location and isolation
The location of Eurasia (on an east/west axis) enabled domestic plants and animals to flourish. The species were able to spread because they encountered the same climate, where as in the Americas (on an north/south axis) some species never spread because they were unable to survive new climates.
Eurasia is more accessible and is closer to the neighboring continents. Where as Australia is the most isolated, smallest continent and does not contain native species. While Europeans were traveling across the world, the Tasmanians were basically stuck.

3. Technology
The most essential technology that allowed Eurasia to flourish was the boat. They also were able to write, which allowed them to draw maps and have an economy based more on capital, rather than barter and trade.

The most important determinants to a society's success include the development of technology, densely populated communities, diverse agriculture, interaction with other continents, and the ability to adapt.

Based on Diamond's lecture, today's global economy is a game of the survival of the fittest (Darwinism). The key points that Diamond presents can be used to rationalize why Western/European cultures are dominate economically. The ideas can also be used to succeed in life. For example, in starting a business, the first thing that should be considered is location. Diamond explicitly states that due to Eurasia's location, they succeeded.