Measles and TB evolved from diseases of our cattle, influenza from a disease of pigs, and smallpox possibly from a disease of camels. The Americas had very few native domesticated animal species from which humans could acquire such diseases.

Quote by Jared Diamond

Topics: Jared Diamond Quotes

Decided that now is the time to start doing the things that really interest me...

Decided that now is the time to start doing the things that really interest me...

We can't manipulate some stars while maintaining other stars as controls; we can't start and...

We can't manipulate some stars while maintaining other stars as controls; we can't start and...

Eurasia ended up with the most domesticated animal species in part because it's the world's...

Eurasia ended up with the most domesticated animal species in part because it's the world's...

Federal elections happen every two years in this country. Presidential elections every four years. And...

Federal elections happen every two years in this country. Presidential elections every four years. And...

Science is often misrepresented as the body of knowledge acquired by performing replicated controlled experiments...

Science is often misrepresented as the body of knowledge acquired by performing replicated controlled experiments...

The southward advance of native African farmers with Central African crops halted in Natal, beyond...

The southward advance of native African farmers with Central African crops halted in Natal, beyond...

Starbucks goes to a great effort, and pays twice as much for its coffee as...

Starbucks goes to a great effort, and pays twice as much for its coffee as...

Knowledge is the true organ of sight not the eyes

Knowledge is the true organ of sight not the eyes

Technology has to be invented or adopted.

Technology has to be invented or adopted.

Human societies vary in lots of independent factors affecting their openness to innovation.

Human societies vary in lots of independent factors affecting their openness to innovation.

Although native Africans domesticated some plants in the Sahel and in Ethiopia and in tropical...

Although native Africans domesticated some plants in the Sahel and in Ethiopia and in tropical...

I personally am not conscious of my accent.

I personally am not conscious of my accent.

The United States has long thought of itself as the land of infinite plenty, and...

The United States has long thought of itself as the land of infinite plenty, and...

We're uncomfortable about considering history as a science. It's classified as a social science, which...

We're uncomfortable about considering history as a science. It's classified as a social science, which...

Australia is the most isolated continent.

Australia is the most isolated continent.

All human societies go through fads in which they temporarily either adopt practices of little...

All human societies go through fads in which they temporarily either adopt practices of little...

Infectious diseases introduced with Europeans, like smallpox and measles, spread from one Indian tribe to...

Infectious diseases introduced with Europeans, like smallpox and measles, spread from one Indian tribe to...

It's striking that Native Americans evolved no devastating epidemic diseases to give to Europeans, in...

It's striking that Native Americans evolved no devastating epidemic diseases to give to Europeans, in...

No government is here forever. And there are other forces - the most potent force...

No government is here forever. And there are other forces - the most potent force...

The rate of human invention is faster, and the rate of cultural loss is slower,...

The rate of human invention is faster, and the rate of cultural loss is slower,...