Posted: Feb 20, 2018 2:18 pm
by Mike_L
zulumoose wrote:
True. But, according to Scheidel, history would suggest that the positive changes are too small and/or occur too slowly.


History isn't very informative about what will happen in a world of instantaneous free global communication, which is where we almost are now, except for very underdeveloped places, and it is changing rapidly.

Yes, this is promising new ground. :thumbup:

zulumoose wrote:
It's not encouraging that even Steven Pinker speaks well of the book!


He basically declared it to be a novel, thought-provoking approach that is well argued, that doesn't mean he endorses the conclusion, or that it is applicable to the future (which, as they say, isn't what it used to be)

True. :nod: