Do you agree with Jared Diamond's assertion that prosperity, or "cargo," is based solely upon geographic location or do you think that other factors contribute to a civilization's success or failure?
(You are required to answer this by Wednesday at midnight)
50 comments:
I think that the ideas of Jared Diamond are true. In saying that the civilization who has the most resources and has them in large abundance shall be dominant over lesser civilizations.
I agree with Jared Diamond's assessment that prosperity is based solely upon geographical location. Obviously without any water resources or a suitable enough environment to farm, people would not survive, thus not be able to prosper.
i agree with jared diamond because 'cargo' is made by the natural resources in an area. the areas such as the middle east were rich and abundant in natural resources. this is why they were successful and had 'cargo'. new gineau was not very abundant in resourses and this is why it wasnt as successful in cargo unlike the middle east.
Jared Diamond points out many interesting facts. The fact that civilizations have so many things in common, the agriculture and the order that all the greatest civilizations of the past have in common. What he doesn't seem to have adressed though is the people's intelligence to utilize their resources. While true that the resources seem to be mandatory, it is still possible to survive with only the basic nescessities! It's not only the existance of the resources themselves but the utilization of those resources. The location of an area affects the resources, but no matter how much of a resource there is, if they can't use the resource to it's maximum potential they simply waste the resource itself thus depleating their own chances at survival!
((My Friend says I should reinforce the point of what those people in the civilizations are doing, but I won't seeing as how this is already long enough... ;]))
Mei,L.
Pr. 4
I agree with Jared Diamond's assessment. As proved countless times, areas with better resources (food sources, water, animal life) progress through the "stages" of civilization and become more advanced quicker.
well yes and no, i agree geographic climate can have an effect of getting "cargo" , but there are other factors too. they would need order,more practice with domesticating animals, and learn to plant more vegetation like cereal grass wheat and barley. That is just the basic neccesities of having a succesful civilization.
James R.
P.1
I do agree with Jared Diamond’s position. Geographic advantage gave the early peoples a jump start when it came to agriculture as well as the domestication of animals. Having an advanced agricultural point of view, early civilizations were able to utilize the resources that their geographic location provided for them, which furthered them on the road to a developed civilization. I’m sure that there were, in addition to Mr. Diamond’s ideas, many other elements that influenced the development of early life. Perhaps there might have been a particularly insightful mind of someone that, with the help of their geographic resources, kick-started a higher level of thinking when it came to developing a sophisticated society. Or, maybe there happened to be a particularly compatible animal that developed strong bonds with some of the early humans, which gave someone the idea to domesticate more animals. Jared Diamond’s ideas may very well be true- but there might be another answer. In other words, it very well could be luck that caused humans to develop into what we are today.
I agree with Jared Diamond because one of the necessities for a civilization is a surplus in food to allow for the specialization of labor. I think he should have ended his argument there though because he went on to say that the animals were a major factor in the success of a civilization. I'm not saying that they weren't, but it's not like the animals just happened to be in the Eurasia. They were there for the same reasons as humans, because that was where the most nutritious grains were. This backs up his theory because it proves that animals prosper more where the food is of the best quality.
I agree with Jared Diamond because
in order for a group of people to go from being hunter-gatherers to farmers living in a city, there needs to be not olny suitable land for farming, but also the right materials for doing so. The people who were able to domesticate local animals and use them to their benefit, as well as learming to farm the necessary plants and use them for food. The ablity to farm made it possible for civilizations to advance in other ways, which led to our way of life now. Those people who are unable to provide a sufficient amount of food for the people of their village, do not have the excess amounts people to help create a more advanced civilization.
Nichole F.
Per. 4
i agree with Jared Diamond's assessment that geography can play a important role in the prosperity of the country.Because everyhting depends on agriculture and if the country does not have proper farming land,water resources and proper farm animals the country can not prosper as well as the countries that do have these key things
trisha d.
period 1
I agree with Jared Diamond's theory that geography is key to a country's prosperity. If a country's land isn't well taken care of or suitable enough to take advantage of in the right farming land,water resources, or the proper farming animals, then the countries who lack these essentials will suffer. They will not grow and expand as well as other countries that do have a plentiful amount of these resources.
Clara,E.
Per.4
I do not agree with the assertion that the prosperity of a civilization can be based soley upon the gegraphy of the region. I think that the geography plays a very significant role, however there are other things to take into consideration. One of these things is the experiences of the people. With this, the people can create new ways to work and invent new things that will ease their lives. There were probably many other things that can be said, but in the end, I do not believe the geography of the land was the sole contribute to a civilizations success.
I do not agree with the assertion that the prosperity of a civilization can be based soley upon the gegraphy of the region. I think that the geography plays a very significant role, however there are other things to take into consideration. One of these things is the experiences of the people. With this, the people can create new ways to work and invent new things that will ease their lives. There were probably many other things that can be said, but in the end, I do not believe the geography of the land was the sole contribute to a civilizations success.
I believe that Jared Diamond has found the main reason why civilizations, such as Papua, New Guinea and the United States, are so different. Geography definitely plays a major in role in the diffusion of items and goods, but there are other factors that influence it as well. For example, religion can have a huge part in shaping a civilization and it's culture, as well as the people and individuals of that culture. Many people have had a major influence in the outcome their and maybe even other civilizations.
Caitlin F.
p.4
Rhys, G
Period 4
I beileve that there is some truth to Jared Diamond's assertion that the cargo was based on geographic location, but there are also many other factors that could have helped a civilization advance, like the choice of leaders, if they elected wrong leader they could be led onto a path of destruction.
Yes, if you have to spend all you till staying alive you really have no time to do anything else. People in certain places will have it rougher than others. Sometimes though its they don't have the resources to make new technologies like some places do. Like japan doesn't have building material so they import them some places have nothing to give in return for the items they need so advances stop.
I agree with Jared Diamond's statement that geography is solely the most significant aspect when it comes to the potential advancement, success and prosperity in any civilization. With abundant and useful resources nearby, humans would soon understand, adapt and learn to make use of what nature provides for them. In turn, these resources bring knowledge, which altogether creates a successful and advanced civilization.
Nadia Z.
P.1
I agree with Jared Dimond as well, I believe that geography plays an important role in life. In order to farm or to do anything one has to have a stable location. I also believe that religion, helped shape up the advance civilization,people treated the cargo with care and like it were important.They learned to adapt to what nature brought them, with all these things they learned that teamwork is important and with the little things they gathered, they learned to make the best out of them. allyn polito p.4
I agree with Diamond's opinion that geography is a major reason that civilizations either prosper or fail due to a variety of evidences shown in the episode. Geography manipulates land, which then manipulates plants and resources, which then manipulates the sorts of animals around the area, which then would manipulates people's success if any of those factors seem useful to them. If the resources are ideal, the people are able to survive and even have spare time to advance in technology. Years later, the result would be a successful advanced civilization.
However, there is a chance that a third world country could improve if they gain their resources from other places (for example, domesticated animals not native in the Americas). Just a thought.
-Fiona D.
Period 3
I do not fully agree with Jared Diamond, that geography is why most people progressed faster then others, even though geography played a major role in it. The people have a lot to do with it as well. Some may have had higher technology or better skills then others which can help them build their society better and or faster. Society's that are behind in development can still develop and learn form other countries but it depends on the people do they want to, and do they have the skill to. So yes geography plays a huge role in development, but that is not all.
Stephanie Giangrande!
p.4
I do agree with Jared Diamond's opinion about the fact that a civilization's success or failure is based upon geographic location. This is easily backed up with the fact that Papua New Guinea had the same advances from hunting, to gathering, to farming as other countries did. The other countries advanced as well after that because of their ability to feed their communities. Since Papua New Guinea could not produce an equivalent nutritious diet compared to the other countries, they could not make progress towards other technologies.
It is possible that religion and other factors could have changed a civilization's advancements, however, without a suitable environment for the necessities of life, the society would not be able to push forward from their starting point.
Madee S.
Period 4
Jared Diamond's position, that a civilizations outcome depends on geography, is agreeable. The reason that this opinion is believable is because there's evidence to prove it. For example, the New Guineans had the ability to hunt and gather successfully, but they did not advance technologically like some other civilizations did. Other cultures that had the ability to feed their community reached farther levels, unlike the people of Papua New Guinea, because they could actually farm on their land. Since the people of Papua New Guinea could not do the things others did, this proves that Jared Diamond's opinion that a civilization's success depends upon the geographic location.
Oriana C.
Period 4
I agree with Jared Diamond's theory that geography was incredibly important in the development and prosperity of the first civilizations. The environment allowed for the surplus of food and a stable living style that then allowed for the specialization of skills in certain people. Without this free time and specialization from the surplus of food, the other civilizations only focused on getting food and surviving rather than increase their living styles and advance.
John B
Per. 1
I think that Jared Diamond is correct in that geography does affect prosperity, but I also think that culture and people have a major role as well. The geography of a region may or may not have the resources for certain technological advancements. At the same time, it takes people to use these resources to their potential.
Renee C. Per 1
I do agree with Jared Diamond that geographic location is the reason for the prosperity and success of civilizations. With a proper environment, it can supply surplus of food and a suitable way of living. I also think people may have an influence on the success and prosperity of civilizations as well.
Michelle T.
Per. 4
i somewhat agree and disagree, because you do need resources to contribute to a civilizations success but you also need a leader someone to tell them what they should do and start a government to keep things in order and working.
alex b.
per.4
I believe that Jared Diamond explained the inequalities between different countries very well. Good climate, food and other environmental factors are essential to determine the success of a community. When food is hard to come by and lacks important nutrients, humans will spend so much time processing food that they will not have much time for cultural and scientific development. While religion may have an effect on how a country develops, religion is usually heavily influenced by a community's surrounding world. As exemplified with the Mesopatamians, who believed that the gods were potentially dangerous and had to be appeased because of the unpredictable nature of the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers, religion usually is molded around the environment. Humans from all over the world started out nearly the same, but it was the quality of the land that they inhabited that determined how well their culture could develop.
-Emily B.
Per. 3
I somewhat agree with Jared Diamond's assertion that prosperity, or "cargo," is based solely upon geographic location, because the climate affects what type of resources a civilization can have. But it is on the people to decide where their main focus is. If they want to spend time hunting and gathering instead of thinking of new ways to live that's up to them.
Elliott D.
period 4
I somewhat agree with Jared Diamond's assertion that prosperity, or "cargo," is based solely upon geographic location, because the climate affects what type of resources a civilization can have. But it is on the people to decide where their main focus is. If they want to spend time hunting and gathering instead of thinking of new ways to live that's up to them.
Elliott (Pressure) D.
Period 4
I agreed with Jared Diamond because he proved everything that he said with factual evidence. Every single thing from the crops, to the location, and animals all in a way lead to how these civilizations became great. He was 100% correct in saying that geographical luck had a huge part in the way these civilizations became as great as they were, and he was correct in saying that the poeple in New Ginea could have been just as great if not for their geographical positioning.
I agree with what Jared Diamond said. Different areas in the world rely on different resources. If one civilization like Mesopotamia, China, and etc has more resources, they can develop more quickly in technology. In New Guinea, they had poor resources. Therefore they had no way to have developed technology like the other civilizatiouns.
Jenny Chen
Per.1
I agree that prosperity, or "cargo" is based solely upon geographic location. As Jared Diamond is trying to find the roots of inequality, he shows throughout his journey that certain locations are good for growing certain crops. It all depends on where a civilization happens to settle. Areas may have ideal or horrible weather conditions for agriculture. In addition, there may not be much water nearby (possibly because of drought) or infertile soil. As said in the video, plants are likely to be just the thing that shaped human history because of two simple grasses that set the course for modern agriculture: barley and wheat. If a civilization did not have geographic luck and could not grow at least these two grasses, they would not advance in technology or have time to do much else other than trying to feed themselves. The New Guineans remained hunter-gatherers because of their geographic location. There was just the right amount of food available for them but it took a lot of time away that should have been spent gaining "cargo." New Guineans did not have the same raw materials available to them in their geographic location as other civilizations did.
Jennifer P.
Period 1
I agree with Jared Diamond's theory of how a civilization's geographic location effects its prosperity, but that is not the only factor. It may also depend on the culture of the natives, ways of communication, trade relationships, and so on.
I agree with Jared Diamond that the amount of "cargo" a person or civilization has, is impacted a lot by geographic location. If the people are mostly focused on farming and gathering food, they're going to be too tired and too ocuppied to be working on advancing their technology. If they had a different location that helped them grow a surplus of food, it would allow them to take a break and focus on other things. But since the people of New Guinea had to work hard to make enough food for themselves, they didn't have time to try and invent new things.
April C.
Per. 3
I agree with Jared Diamond, and think the prosperity of a civilization is based upon the geographical location. For farming to be a success there needs to be good land. Not only that but, climate affects the availability of many resources. However, I believe there are also other factors that play a big role, such as civilization and religion.
Jennifer T
per. 3
I agree with Diamond that prosperity, or" cargo", is based upon geographic location. Each areas has an unique resource,so if people wanted to plant crop they needed a suitable environment to do so.
I agree with Diamond that prosperity, or" cargo", is based upon geographic location. Each areas has an unique resource,so if people wanted to plant crop they needed a suitable environment to do so.
An Truong
Per. 3
I agree with Jared Diamond in saying that the prosperity of a civilization is based upon their geographic location. Each location provides different resources. If a land isn't fertile, then the people living there cannot provide food for themselves and others. Some earlier peoples were very successful all because the land offered many useful necessities that would establish a foundation for a civilization.
I agree with Jared Diamond that "cargo" is based on the geographic location of the civilizations and the people who live in them. If some regions did not have a certain type of animal and they did not know that there were people with that type of "cargo" then what is going to help them.
Although along time the rest of the world has moved on some cultures stay the way they are and i think that is a personal choice. When explorers found new land and they gave items(or trade items) to the people who lived on the land, but many cultures never really though that technology was as important to them.
People travel around the world and visit the civilizations with people who still live with little "cargo" and those people getting visited(to me) know what they are missing.
I think that it is both the geographic location but also a personal choice!!
:)
According to the movie "Gun's, Germs and Steel" I sort of agree to Jared Diamond's idea that geography is a great impact towards the goal of cargo. i think that geography is very important towards vegetation but it is also important how the village creates new ideas, or technology, to advance a certain process creating them a faster way to get cargo.
i do agree with some of the reasoning behind jareds theory, however i do believe that he failed to mention some a key reason as to why the new guineans never became a complex civilization.i believe that a lack of "cargo" that was ultimately a result of never becoming a prosperous civilization can be traced and explained by the lack of natural resources in new guinea. Jared failed to mention that to be a civilization, natural resources isnt the only factor, the culture must also be open to change. mostly all of the modern day "civilizations" opened up and accepted change sometime in their history. Mabe jared's close relationship with the created a biased opinion and he left out that information on purpose, but either way it is a key element of the creating of a civilization. the new guineans never accepted the change that was needed to evolve and become an empire or nation, hence they have less "cargo"
I do agree with Jared Diamiond. Geography is often a crucial role in the founding of a civilization. The lack of resources in Papa New Guinea could be explained by where they were geographically. With no good resources, they had no ways or means of building a dominant civilization.
I agree with jared Diamond's theory that geographical location is the main determinant of technological advancements. Should the New Guineans have resided in a geographical location similar to our own, they would most likely be living with the same modern amenities that we take for granted every day.
I do agree with Jared Diamond's theory on how a country's wealth and success is built upon by the geographical location. Other civilizations were not any more smarter, nor creative than the New Guineans. The location plays a crucial role in growing a stable civilization.
Seri L.
Period 3
I partially agree with the narrators idea with having cargo only being geographically determined. some other factors as intelligence and ideas also help people bring in "cargo". If you didn't have people with ideas to make things easier or smart people to figure things out then you wont have cargo.
Zabi Bajouri Period 3
i think that jared diamond's theory on how people have more "cargo" than others is really mostly based on geography. Unfortunatly not all ot the needed resources to live grow every where. It is was simply luck on who was more civilized and who came up with better was to live and new technology. Another thing that supports this is that people that are in an island back then dind't have a connection with the other countries. They were already behind in civilization but them not having any contact with other people made then take two steps back.
Tania Renteria
period 3
I do agree with Jared Diamond that depending on geographic luck and its abundance of resources, it would affect the growth of ur civilization and just how much ur industry would expand because if you don't have the right type of resources then you cannot expect to sustain a whole civilization.
Jared Diamond is correct in saying that areas with rich geography prosper. People from different areas are less advanced because of geographic isolation.
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