Share some of your favourite reads - get a discussion going!

  • @k_o_t
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    4 years ago

    Guns, Germs, and Steel by Jared Diamond

    Very interesting, although, in my opinion, sort of wrong with regard to the more modern times. I read it right before “Why Nations Fail: The Origins of Power, Prosperity, and Poverty” by Daron Acemoglu, which I also thought was really interesting, but wrong with regards to everything but modern times.

    I remember thinking, how if we applied geographical determinism from “Guns, Germs, and Steel” to the pre 15th century times, and apply political determinism from “Why Nations Fail” to after 15th century, we get a perfect theory of origins of poverty and wealth.

    • @nope
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      24 years ago

      Very good point, and I agree regarding the explanatory power of “Guns, Germs, and Steel” which is only up to a certain point in history.

      Also, thanks for the reminder to read “Why Nations Fail”.