The rate of human invention is faster, and the rate of cultural loss is slower, in areas occupied by many competing societies with many individuals and in contact with societies elsewhere.

Quote by Jared Diamond

Topics: Jared Diamond Quotes

The broadest pattern of history - namely, the differences between human societies on different continents...

The broadest pattern of history - namely, the differences between human societies on different continents...

Thousands of years ago, humans domesticated every possible large wild mammal species fulfilling all those...

Thousands of years ago, humans domesticated every possible large wild mammal species fulfilling all those...

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...

I personally am not conscious of my accent.

I personally am not conscious of my accent.

The main thing that gives me hope is the media. We have radio, TV, magazines,...

The main thing that gives me hope is the media. We have radio, TV, magazines,...

Twenty years ago, you might have been pessimistic and said there's no hope. But these...

Twenty years ago, you might have been pessimistic and said there's no hope. But these...

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...

Biology is the science. Evolution is the concept that makes biology unique.

Biology is the science. Evolution is the concept that makes biology unique.

Take air quality in the United States today: It's about 30 percent better than it...

Take air quality in the United States today: It's about 30 percent better than it...

Introspection and preserved writings give us far more insight into the ways of past humans...

Introspection and preserved writings give us far more insight into the ways of past humans...

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...

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...

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...

Why did human development proceed at such different rates on different continents for the last...

Why did human development proceed at such different rates on different continents for the last...

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...

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...

Native Americans had only stone and wooden weapons and no animals that could be ridden....

Native Americans had only stone and wooden weapons and no animals that could be ridden....

Technology causes problems as well as solves problems. Nobody has figured out a way to...

Technology causes problems as well as solves problems. Nobody has figured out a way to...

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...

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...